New Boiler and Power flush. What and I missing?

jeb0007

Had a quote for a new boiler installation. Quote said... £2825
Power Flush require and install new boiler, I have to assume that is means it will work
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After the boiler was started, it was making horrible noises and the hot water was not circulation even though the pump was working ( Open Vent system )

After 2 hours he then realised he had plumbed the Flow Return the wrong way round ( does this damage the Boiler ?)
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When he corrected that and the water was circulating I noticed that
2 of the radiator were cold but were working OK before.
The installer said that he would have to take of the radiators and flush them ( even though they were OK before he flushed the system). I said OK.
He said I have to pay £135 + vat Per radiator as it is not something he has done?
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I questioned about the noise the boiler was making Sounds like a concrete mixer.

The installer made an audio recording and allegedly sent it to the boiler company company. for there comments
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The installer said that it is a  normal boiler noise even though it vibrates  the pipe work.
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After many emails, 3 week later I decide to check the NEW  Mag Filter, There was the same amount of build up as my normal yearly amount.
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I sent a picture to Installer company.
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They said that is not right so need a power flush again.
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I said Great, when can you come.????
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You will have to pay £600 to get it done again. WHAT .
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Quote , he said 
It wouldn't be at my cost ( the installers cost)  as I only do a flush with a new installation for regulations,
If I was there sorely to do a flush to unblock the heating system then I would be at fault as incomplete work. So that's £600 to do it
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I said BUT YOU DID THE POWER FLUSH
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He said , You have to pay as it is not the Companies fault,,,
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Question........... Am I missing something?

Who do I go to to sort this company out?

ThisIsWeird

A 'system clean' to a BS standard (would need to look it up) is a requirement for a new boiler installation on an old system. There are different ways of doing this, including a 'chemical' clean, or a 'power-flush'.

A full new installation - ie new boiler and pipes and rads - would normally only require a 'chemical' clean, to remove manufacturing oils, solder flux, and stuff like that. You add a dose of chemicals, run it for a bit, drain down and refill.

A new boiler on an old system, however, needs a far more thorough approach, and that is usually where a 'power flush' comes in. This, again, uses cleansing chemicals, but the main difference is that it's driven around the rad system without the boiler being in the loop. It is pumped - 'power'ed - through using specialist equipment. Large and powerful magnetic filters (jumbo versions of the one you have) then catch all the loosened sludge, and the system is then drained down, flushed through with clean water, and then refilled. This takes hours. It is usual to also agitate each radiator in turn, often with a vibrating drill attachment (bludy noisy) or thumping the rad along the bottom with a soft mallet.

I'm guess he did none of that...

Does this boiler have a built-in pump? I don't think that reversing the F&R pipes would damage the boiler, and the only reason why it wouldn't 'work' to some extent is that your motorised valves would be pushed shut when they were meant to be open, and any old TRVs on your rads might rattle. Once reversed - provided the motorised valves weren't damaged - it should work fine again. I'm not sure if the motorised valves would be damaged by this reverse flow, tho' it's possible if they tried to activate their valve against the water flow, and failed. Ie, they normally 'whirrr' for around 3 or 4 seconds and then stop in the desired position - fully open, fully closed, or half-way (if it's a 3-port valve). However, if the wrong water flow prevented a valve from getting to its desired position, then the motor would keep on operating, possibly overheat, or possibly shred its gearbox.

This noise (which is NOT normal - your boiler should be lovely and quiet), where is it coming from? Can you check your motorised valves to see if it's them? They will likely be in the same cupboard as your hot cylinder.

Anyhoo, what to do? You contact the boiler manufacturer;

1) send them the clips of the sound. Ask if this is 'normal', as the plumber declares it is!

2) Also explain that the plumber initially fitted the boiler the wrong way around - "could this incorrect flow direction cause any longer-term problems?" 

3) And, very importantly, explain what 'cleaning' the plumber did carry out (if any) to the best of your knowledge. Add that they did quote for a "power-flush", but seemingly didn't carry one out. Your existing Mag Filter is now collecting a year's worth of sludge in a day. Ask what form of cleaning should have been carried out 'in order to comply with your installation requirements and warranty'.

Armed with their response, you tackle the plumber.

In theory you are supposed to allow them an opportunity to put things right, but you've already done this and you are rightly still not happy. You may be in the position of getting another plumber to fully sort it all, and then sue the original plumber for the cost - it'll be up to around £1k, I'm guessing, provided the boiler itself is fine.

Final Q - do you have Legal Protection included in your home insurance? If so, GREAT! Call them up for 'guidance'. And gather the evidence by contacting the boiler manufacturer, as I suggested.

Two more Qs, please: Make and model of boiler? And, did you get any other quotes, what did they include, and how did they compare?

In short, unless other work was also carried out, the quote of £2.8k for a Heat-Only boiler is not 'cheap', so - imo - should definitely have included a full 'power-flush'. No, you shouldn't have to dip any further into your pocket to sort this... From what you've described, this plumber is seemingly lax, careless, and then fibbingly defensive in response. He has told you porkies about the noise, for example. He shouldn't be asking for more money. He should be falling over himself to sort this, and grovelling apologies the while.