Ariston comprimised flue

[RPG 80]

Am posting for general consensus. On the 11th of December i carried out work in a flat, while i was there they asked me to service their non condencing ariston boiler. I noticed a water mark on the ceiling along the probable flue route. Gained access to the loft. On inspection i found evidence of fluid having leaked from the flue via 3 separate joints. There was also a hole in the flue within the loft. I carried out a ID procedure based on my findings. Have now recieved a threatening letter from the customer. He called another engineer who has sealed "one possible leak on the flue and recommissioned the boiler". The customer is claiming my incompetance, demanding money back for the work i carried out even though i specifically didnt charge him for the ID procedure on his boiler and the £65 the second engineer charged him, he is also threatening to report myself to gas safe. I have tried to call him back but gone to answer phone. Any opinions advice gratefully received.

 

[jonnyswamp]

How was the flue leaking? backfall?
Exhaust duct or air inlet duct?
Did other engineer repair the flue or replace defective length, if repaired, what with?
I would encourage the customer to contact gassafe,if only so they know you did the right thing
I would have done the same as you if they wouldn't let me replace defective part of the flue and remedy the water ingress issue so it wouldn't happen again
Go to sleep tonight with a clear conscience mate

 

[Resolute]

You acted on what you saw, and in your opinion it was ID and capped accordingly.

Assuming you got the customers approval to disconnect the boiler then you've done nothing wrong and should tell the customer to go swivel!

 

[RPG 80]

I assume it was back fall due to the boiler being non condencing, the flue was two seperate runs and leaking on the exhaust duct. It was an old combi that had been "modified to a system boiler" it looked like a wreck. I informed the customer that he might be able to get a replacement flue but its not something i would do as it was also a third floor flat.

 

[RPG 80]

I dont think he replaced any parts as the other engineer charged £65.

 

[Rickster123]

I would tell him to go forth and multiply. Gas safe will say you acted correctly. If the other engineer repaired a leaking flue then the flue was immediately dangerous when you visited the property. Customers like that really pee me off.

 

[RPG 80]

I would tell him to go forth and multiply. Gas safe will say you acted correctly. If the other engineer repaired a leaking flue then the flue was immediately dangerous when you visited the property. Customers like that really pee me off.

on a side note how do you repair a leaking flue? unless its a recommended part from the manufacturer i dont see how its a safe repair?

 

[jonnyswamp]

Can only summise on how he repaired it (doubtfully done correctly for the price), but obviously didn't remedy the cause of water being in there in the first place

 

[Rickster123]

on a side note how do you repair a leaking flue? unless its a recommended part from the manufacturer i dont see how its a safe repair?

I would rather be in your position with an ID cert than be in his position bodging up a flue repair for 65 poxy quid.

 

[jonnyswamp]

on a side note how do you repair a leaking flue? unless its a recommended part from the manufacturer i dont see how its a safe repair?

Should remove entire flue and check for any other areas of corrosion and replace as neccessary, if its rotted through in one place its only a matter of time until it goes somewhere else

 

[RPG 80]

Just to help matters i sent the customer a letter today informing him that his UHW discharge was dangerous. This was done before i recived his letter, and out of genuine concern. The thread for thats in the plumbers arms wish i hadnt bothered now.
:banghead:

 

[RPG 80]

http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/plumbers-arms/63004-uhw-scary-stuff.html

 

[stevetheplumber]

If a flue is leaking its ID the fact that its been repaired only proves your point i would be telling the customer to go forth and muliply or take me to court

 

[jefaz]

Should it not have had inspection hatches anyway?? AR before you even look at the flue.

 

[RPG 80]

Should it not have had inspection hatches anyway?? AR before you even look at the flue.

no because you can gain access from the loft to the entire run

 

[Ermintrude]

Don't worry he will die soon of CO!

Just hope other flats were no affected by idiots handy work. Bet flue is paper thin. Custard probably did it himself. I would be asking for engineers details and to inspect flue ( if I was actually bothered ) otherwise I would be using the feck off rosser response.

 

[lame plumber]

report the next guy going in and ask for his work to be inspected!

 

[southcoastboile]

Definitely don't give him any money back. That's the correct thing to do. The next guy probably pulled it apart and resealed with high temp silicone or something.

 

[arran197]

Whole thing sounds dodgy to me. Read him the gas safety installation and use regs about duty of care etc and he'd shut up if he knew how things could have gone.