New member, can someone help check quality of this boiler install?

[robbb]

Hi,

Having a bit of a shocker with my current bathroom install which is leading me to question the entire work that my plumber / bathroom installer is in the middle of the job ( I posted on tiling forum the extent of the poor workmanship of tiles). Wondered the thoughts from all the pros on here for the boiler install.

This is a relocation into the loft of a new WB 18KW boiler (12 rads and hot water tank). 2 Mira Mode showers with pumps.

Doesn’t look the neatest to me, but does everything look how it should? Anything I need to chat to him about? It’s not tested or on yet so needs finalising.

I’d have expected it all to look better arranged and neater to be honest but safety is the prime concern.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I would say unacceptable

No clips on the waste pipe
Flue doesn't look to have enough clips
Flue not screwed at joints
F and e tank looks like it's going to be pumping over (I would of sealed the system)
Shower mixer/pumps in plastic
Pipework not insulated
No clips / not many on the install

Is he gas safe registered?

 

[Ric2013]

Is this for real, or is this a college fault-finding exercise? It's messy, that's certain.

I'm going to list 5 faults out of many, then I'm busy.

1. Gate valves with handle on top - any debris will stop the valve shutting.
2. Condensate white waste pipe - not clipped properly, nor is most of the pipework, particularly near the pump - is that pump sitting on a bit of wood and what is that white stuff hanging out of the pump valve to pump union - should have used a proper washer, but looks like PTFE?
3. Soil and Vent pipe terminating in a loft. Should terminate outside.
4. I'm not sure that water storage cistern is big enough to feed 2 pumped showers - Mira digital showers require 230l storage cistern as a minimum and the cold feed to cylinder should be higher than the cold feeds to the shower units.
5. There should be a minimum of 25mm thickness lagging on all those water pipes and there isn't space between them for that.

I'm not a Gas Safe person, so won't comment on the boiler side of it.

I'm assuming the water cistern was already like that, so not part of your installer's remit?

 

[Ric2013]

Is he gas safe registered?

Is he even a plumber?

 

[robbb]

Just as I thought. Just ran one of the showers (albeit off immersion in 166l hw tank) and got 11:36 minutes of hot water.

I’ve got a lot to sort out.

 

[robbb]

I would say unacceptable

No clips on the waste pipe
Flue doesn't look to have enough clips
Flue not screwed at joints
F and e tank looks like it's going to be pumping over (I would of sealed the system)
Shower mixer/pumps in plastic
Pipework not insulated
No clips / not many on the install

Is he gas safe registered?

Thanks. I don’t know as he got someone else in to do this work. By the way there is more to the story. This only happened as a result of the existing Potterton boiler having a huge issue mid way through the work that was carried out, after a new hw tank was installed we couldn’t get the heating back on.

Next day he arrived and discovered this (bet you’re going to love this):

Yes, that is molten metal in the boiler. He’s installed the new system for free (I’ve had to pay for the boiler and pump/flue etc).

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Thanks. I don’t know as he got someone else in to do this work. By the way there is more to the story. This only happened as a result of the existing Potterton boiler having a huge issue mid way through the work that was carried out, after a new hw tank was installed we couldn’t get the heating back on.

Next day he arrived and discovered this (bet you’re going to love this):

View attachment 31931

Yes, that is molten metal in the boiler. He’s installed the new system for free (I’ve had to pay for the boiler and pump/flue etc).

Boiler fires with no water in it, rookie mistake

Baxi or potterton solo

 

[robbb]

Boiler fires with no water in it, rookie mistake

Baxi or potterton solo

Potterton Promax SL

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Potterton Promax SL

Rebadged baxi they were good boilers but know to have issues like yours

 

[robbb]

So it’s likely that was as a result of the works carried out here? Or a coincidence? It happened after they had installed a new hot water cylinder.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

So it’s likely that was as a result of the works carried out here? Or a coincidence? It happened after they had installed a new hot water cylinder.

Yes prob ran/fired dry

 

[Ric2013]

That's my biggest fear. In fact I'll probably have nightmares tonight.

It's why I am really pleased whenever I find a boiler with an isolator or an integral off switch so I can get the pump up and running first and make certain there's some water going round.

 

[townfanjon]

Lost for words on this one , its just ******* *****.
I would nt let him back in my house .

 

[ShaunCorbs]

That's my biggest fear. In fact I'll probably have nightmares tonight.

It's why I am really pleased whenever I find a boiler with an isolator or an integral off switch so I can get the pump up and running first and make certain there's some water going round.

Or turn the boiler thermostat all the way down

 

[Harvest Fields]

..................................................???????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!***###***^^<<~~*****.?Crap engineers***##**##****

 

[robbb]

Thanks for all the comments. He’s coming round tomorrow morning to discuss the bathroom work that has taken place. I have already paid £5.3k.

I’m so annoyed.

 

[robbb]

Do I have a case to raise around safety with the plumbing?

 

[townfanjon]

Do I have a case to raise around safety with the plumbing?

I have not read all the comments pal but my answer is yes .
Tiling is ***** too , honestly sorry !!

 

[robbb]

I have not read all the comments pal but my answer is yes .
Tiling is ***** too , honestly sorry !!

That’s what started it all off. Wasn’t happy with the tiling so started digging deeper to find anything else that I thought might not be up to standard.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

You can tell how good he is look at the chrome whindow edging not even attempted to do a mitre

 

[robbb]

If anyone would be so kind to help me understand a bit more around the safety aspects of it that’d really help. Happy to swing over a donation via PayPal for someones time, as it will really help me with the conversation tomorrow. I can get more pics if needed.

This has been something our family has been saving up for a long time and we are bitterly disappointed, with 2 young kids and Xmas round the corner we are worried that we will have no working bathroom or heating (everyone that’s good around my area in Surrey seems full on booked into the new year).

Lesson learned

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Safety issue would be the boiler install and flue, already made a quick list above

 

[townfanjon]

Rob , no doubt this install will get into our trade mags , prepare to be made famous !!

It maybe the angle of the pic, but correct me if I am wrong but is the boiler leaning back and the mounting bracket holding the boiler up is screwed to a piece of 2 “ x 1 “

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Rob , no doubt this install will get into our trade mags , prepare to be made famous !!

It maybe the angle of the pic, but correct me if I am wrong but is the boiler leaning back and the mounting bracket holding the boiler up is screwed to a piece of 2 “ x 1 “

Angle of pic but wouldn't surprise me if it is out

And correct also boiler is hung with dry wall screws

 

[robbb]

Rob , no doubt this install will get into our trade mags , prepare to be made famous !!

It maybe the angle of the pic, but correct me if I am wrong but is the boiler leaning back and the mounting bracket holding the boiler up is screwed to a piece of 2 “ x 1 “

Installed to plasterboard and yep looks like 2x1. I think it’s the photo angle making it look a bit off