Concerns re recent central heating work

MysteryMe

FreeBear said:

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).

Well that will be for Gas Safe to decide whether they are interested or not. The standard of pipe work is a valid indicator of a lack of competency and that other work may not meet acceptable standards.

Shocking_Blue

Many thanks, all. Your comments and feedback are much appreciated!

For info, I've mailed the engineer and asked that the pipework be refitted.

Bearing in mind my concerns, I'm a little averse to having him do any other work on the boiler. He had claimed to have serviced it, but I'm sceptical about this having been properly, so have asked for a partial refund of what he charged, rather than asking him to complete whatever he might have missed/not done first time round.

Thanks again 

rob7475

It's poor workmanship to bend a pipe like that. I'd either ask him to come and rectify his work or give you an appropriate discount from his bill.

As for the speedfit fittings. I think they are fine when in areas that aren't on show. They will last as long as a soldered fitting if fitted correctly and are used a lot on commercial sites these days as it avoids the need for hot works and permits etc. They now come with a 50 year guarantee (used to be 25) so I think they are well proven to be a reliable alternative in certain situations.  I wouldn't be calling your plumber a cowboy just because he's used speedfit. 

ComicGeek

rob7475 said:

I wouldn't be calling your plumber a cowboy just because he's used speedfit. 

The kinks in the copper pipework are enough to call him a cowboy. That's not poor workmanship, that is plainly and completely unacceptable at any level. I wouldn't let that plumber back in the house to rectify anything, and definitely wouldn't let him touch the boiler or any gas pipework.

That is evidence of complete incompetence or indifference - either way that plumber should not be allowed to continue working in this trade. 

WIAWSNB

That is very poor work indeed, the standard of an incapable DIYer. There is no excuse whatsoever - that is an easy task. If he didn't have a pipe bender, then he could have used swept soldered elbows, 45 degree ones if the wall angle is causing a problem. The pipes also don't have enough securing clips, and the plumber should have suggested lagging them all.

Much worse, the engineer is also either ignorant or dishonest. It's good that he cleaned out the condensate trap, as these do fill up with debris, and can even block as a result - it happened to me. However, this debris has nothing to do with the system water. If your GasSafe truly thinks that it is, then he is staggering ignorant of boilers, and shouldn't be allowed near them. I suspect he is merely dishonest, and tried to use it to get a nice powerflush job out of you. What a choice of qualities to choose from in this guy.

Why do you suspect he didn't carry out a proper service? What do you think he left out?

Does your system have a filter fitted to it? If so, then check that to see the true condition of your system water. (And, if you don't have a filter, consider asking the new plumber to fit one when they change these pipes. ~£100 well spent.)

You only need to pay this guy for the radiator, and for mounting it on the wall, assuming of course that's been done correctly. You should not pay him for the piepwork, and all that is junk. And you don't need to pay him for the boiler service, certainly not if you have reason to think he cut corners. You have enough against the guy to oblige him to pay back the bulk of the cost if you want - these pics are worthy of going viral.. Stick them on a dedicated Plumber's Forum for a laugh if you want. And, I wouldn't let this guy anywhere near my house again.

Frankly, he needs exposing via every review site you can find, but I can understand if you find that awakward. The guy should find another career - it is that bad.

I would add up the cost of the radiator, add the rought labour time he took to mount it, and make a decision on whether to accept his boiler 'service'. If you intend to have the boiler serviced again by a new fellow, then deduct the full amount. Or, figure out a compromise sum. Then tell the guy to refund the balance. If he doesn't, tell him you'll MoneyClaim him, and post reviews complete with pics. Oh, and record your conversation.