Concerns re recent central heating work

Shocking_Blue

Dear all,

Could I ask for your feedback on a bit of an issues I have re some recent central heating work we've had done?

The work was:

Fit new radiator

Service combi-boiler

We have already paid for this work (being rather conscientious re early payment), but on reflection there are a couple of things that we have questions about.

The first is regarding the boiler service. I'm awaiting feedback from the engineer we used as to what exactly he did as part of this service. We strongly suspect key parts of the service were not carried out.

What he did do was clean out (and show us) the condensate trap. This had sludge/debris inside, which he informed us was iron filings and came from inside the iron radiators we have. He has since given us a quote for cleaning out the central heating pipes/rads. However, as far as I understand it, this sludge would not have come from the inside of the central heating system/rads, but would have come (along with condensed water) from the outside of the (secondary) heat exchanger. I'm a little concerned if this was incompetence or dishonesty on the part of the engineer (neither of which inspire confidence!).

The second thing is that there are two kinks in the pipes going to and coming from the new rad. I've attached two pics showing these. Would these be a potential issue would you think (the pipe work in general is disappointingly messy, I think - not running in straight lines/at right angles etc as the existing pipes, but that's a lesser concern).

I know - don't pay until your 100% satisfied, so that was a bit of a mistake, but I'm just wondering what people's thoughts are.

Thanks in advance.

FreeBear

Debris in the condensate trap can only come from the flue or the combustion chamber. No way would you get sludge from the radiators in the trap unless the primary heat exchanger has developed a major, catastrophic leak.

The kinks in those pipes are unacceptable. I would be demanding he either returns and makes good the damage, or provides a refund for the labour. Oh, and the pipe clips should be replaced with ones that are secured with screws, not nails.

Grenage

That pipework is shocking, and as above quite unacceptable.

MysteryMe

Was this person on the Gas Safe register?  Leaving pipework like that is not good at all.

Beeblebr0x

It gives a whole new meaning to bodger

Shocking_Blue

Many thanks, all.

Here's a wider shot of the pipes meandering their way along the cellar ceiling to go up into the room where the new rad has been fitted - really expected them to be in straight lines/at right angles (and his attempt at putting walls stays in wasn't much better!).

I've mailed him for some sort of explanation/clarification, but no response yet. To tell you the truth, I'm not 100% happy about him coming back to do anything else. We may live with the pipes, but if he doesn't come back re the service (which we paid him for) I may well ask for some of that money back.

He is Gas Safe registered btw (have checked the site), which is itself less than re-assuring!

Many thanks.

MysteryMe

If he does not sort it out report him to Gas Safe https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/gas-safety/concerns-reporting-illegal-gas-work/report-gas-work-concerns/

How did you pay? 

Grenage

That is not the work of a professional.

Beeblebr0x

MysteryMe said:

If he does not sort it out report him to Gas Safe https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/gas-safety/concerns-reporting-illegal-gas-work/report-gas-work-concerns/

How did you pay? 

He should be reported before he blows someone's house up.

FreeBear

MysteryMe said:

If he does not sort it out report him to Gas Safe https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/gas-safety/concerns-reporting-illegal-gas-work/report-gas-work-concerns/

The pipework is on the wet side of the boiler. Gas Safe won't be interested as it is not a safety issue.

Posting the images on a review site along with a short factual description might shame him in to either doing a proper job or offering a refund.

And using those SpeedFit fittings is not a proper job in my opinion. OK for temporary works, but soldered fittings are cheaper and just as quick (also look more professional).

Belenus

That is shockingly poor work. He has bent those pipes without using a pipe bender or internal spring to prevent kinking.

I did a small amount of DIY plumbing work decades ago. I did a far neater job than that. I would have been ashamed of myself if mine looked like yours.