Boiler/hot water problem - advice please

BobProperty

The calculation for the immersion is as follows: 3kw immersion draws 3000w/230v = 13.04amps. That is the limit for a fused plug for one and you shouldn't have heavy draw appliances like immersions on plugs anyway.
The ballofix plumb1 is referring to is the isolation valve on the hot water return pipe at the bottom of picture 2. (plumb1 - I just glanced at that and thought it was on the feed from the tank to the cylinder) It's an odd place to put an isolation valve.
The other comments relate to there not being more isolation valves in the system so that you could replace the 3 way valve in future without draining down the system, plus, given that the system was being drained down, why not improve and re-arrange the system while you have the opportunity.

Has there been any inhibitor added to the system, since sludge was allegedly the cause of the original problem?

justontime

BobProperty wrote: »

Has there been any inhibitor added to the system, since sludge was allegedly the cause of the original problem?

He didn't mention it

justontime

plumb1 wrote: »

Corgi Reg, does'nt mean good standard of general plumbing work.

Is there anything that does indicate a good standard of general plumbing other than personal recommendation. This man claimed to have 25 years experience.

Canucklehead

Hi

As far as I'm concerned the hot water carrying pipe in the cupboard should be insulated to at least 1 metre away from the cylinder. (Part L conservation of fuel and power.) I might be the only one to actually sign the label on the cylinder and tick the boxes.
Then there are those who don't.Even after 25 years experience (of what?)
There should be inhibitor in the system .Get him to come back and add it if he didn't do it.(Pay for the inhibitor,if he whines about it, then he's not out of pocket) If you don't then system will suffer very quickly.
As for the pipework.... each to their own, some will call it messy others will say it's good.As long as it works, which I assume it does?
Corgi Guy.

justontime

Thanks Canucklehead, I will get him back to put inhibitor in the system (assuming he didn't do so) and I will ask him to do the label and the insulation. I will not use the immersion until I have had the electrics brought up to standard, I presume I just needs an electrician for that.

By the way someone mentioned the value of the old cylinder, I was aware of that, but I would have struggled to lift it, and when I factored in the time and cost of taking it to the scrap dealer and the mess it would make in my car, it didn't seem worth making a fuss about.

BobProperty

justontime wrote: »

Is there anything that does indicate a good standard of general plumbing other than personal recommendation. This man claimed to have 25 years experience.

This is a pet hate of mine. Nearly every set of instructions for plumbing fittings say something like "if in doubt get a qualified plumber". Only there's no such thing. There has been talk about it for some time but it still doesn't exist.

Canucklehead

BobProperty wrote: »

This is a pet hate of mine. Nearly every set of instructions for plumbing fittings say something like "if in doubt get a qualified plumber". Only there's no such thing. There has been talk about it for some time but it still doesn't exist.

Good afternoon There is no statutory regulation of plumbers but the IPHE does maintain a register of plumbers ... www.plumbers.org.uk
My OH is a long-standing member and served a 5 year plumbing apprenticeship in the 1970s...I would call him a qualified plumber;). In Canada , plumbers, electricians and many other trades/occupations are licensed and regulated i.e. no 10 week 'I'm a plumber' courses.:eek: See more here http://www.workdestinations.org/occupation_list.jsp?lang=en ..whether this will happen in the UK is another question!

HTH

Canucklehead

plumb1_2

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good afternoon There is no statutory regulation of plumbers but the IPHE does maintain a register of plumbers ... www.plumbers.org.uk
My OH is a long-standing member and served a 5 year plumbing apprenticeship in the 1970s...I would call him a qualified plumber;). In Canada , plumbers, electricians and many other trades/occupations are licensed and regulated i.e. no 10 week 'I'm a plumber' courses.:eek: See more here http://www.workdestinations.org/occupation_list.jsp?lang=en ..whether this will happen in the UK is another question!

HTH

Canucklehead

Yep, did my 5 year City&Guilds and Advanced plumbing in the(late;) ) 1970's also.
Far to easy now with these short courses, pay your cash, get a your pass:eek:

BobProperty

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good afternoon There is no statutory regulation of plumbers but the IPHE does maintain a register of plumbers ... www.plumbers.org.uk

Which is just another "membership" type organisation (OK it's probably one of the better ones) but they like to talk about "qualified" plumbers when they actually mean "our members".
I've had a look round for something I heard about and found the document I wanted:
http://www.wras.co.uk/PDF_Files/Regs_Review/Report%20Regulations%20Review%20-%20main%20proposals.pdf
Which is a proposal to have plumbers "qualified" in some ways.

I have no "plumbing" qualifications. I do have a formal construction industry qualification from many years ago, my first career was in the industry, plus I have done building work, property renovations and repairs, been a landlord etc etc in my spare time and as a second business since the mid 70's. I'm now on my third career as a plumber.:think:
If the WRAS proposal comes to be accepted then I would do the necessary course/exam to get the qualification. (I keep thinking about whether I should be doing one of their courses at present anyway, but I'll leave it until the above comes in)