CORGI reg'd fitters

[robgee1964]

Hi all

I recently had a new boiler fitted, to comply with the law I got a CORGI reg'd chap who specialised in heating.

The boiler he put in was a Ravenheat condensing combi, CSI85 I think the model is, coupled to the existing 10mm microbore system with 9 radiators.

My comments really relate to the installation

1) He's side flued the boiler, but instead of angling the flue up and away from the boiler (as specified in the installation manual), it is, if anything, pointing down a tad. Condensate drips from the flue terminal, when I quizzed him on this he said the slope is provided by the inner flue pipe, which is central on boiler exit and offset to the top at the terminal. He claimed the condensate was appearing because the flue is short hence the fan blows it up there. He also said the fan was fixed speed - (the installation manual states it is modulated speed)

2) He's taken the hot water outlet via 10mm plastic pipe, coupling it up to the existing 15mm hot water pipework under the kitchen sink. When I quizzed him about the flow he said it would not affect it.

3) The cold water supply he's taken a really tortuous route, using a redundant 15mm pipe to pick up from the cold water shower feed in the loft - rather than pick up from under the kitchen sink (the boilers located under the stairs, in the hallway.

4) Ironically, despite the existing rads and pipework being almost 20 years old, the only leaks were on two of the compression joints at the boiler connections - done by this chap!


In all fairness, it does heat the house very nicely. Hot water flow is a bit slow upstairs.


I have a friend who does sales and training for Baxi Potterton, he's come up the "hard way" having been a gas fitter for them originally. When he saw the flue, he comfirmed it should definitely be pointing up and away from the boiler. He also said the 10mm pipe in the hot water was B&%Dcks also.

The CORGI thing doesn't guarantee quality of work, however the boiler manual states it should be installed by a competent person. Therefore, if CORGI is not a measure of competence, then how does one go about finding someone competent?

Apologies if this gets a few backs up, but as you can imagine I'm not impressed. I'm also relucant to start hassling him to sort it all out, as I'm not sure I want an unwilling tradesman in the house at all.

Incidentally, my friend also pointed out that Ravenheat might not honour any warranty claims if they see how its been installed.


Looking forward to hearing your comments!!
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[croydoncorgi]

CORGI is concerned ONLY with gas safety (and now encroaching on electricals and unvented cylinders, too) so in general it would be going outside its terms of reference if it got involved with PLUMBING issues - which is what you mostly have.

The flue sloped the wrong way is obviously a fault - if it is actually the case. It should only be pointing up 'a tad'. Fixing it should not be a problem either - take it out, adjust the hole without dropping rubble into the boiler, reattach it and make good. (I would also say that I HAVE seen a flue installed to spec with drops of water being blown out the end by the airflow....)

10mm plastic pipe for hot water sounds most unlikely. Is it carrying ALL the output from the boiler or is this just the run to a single tap? Either way, plastic pipe should not be closer than 1 metre from the boiler.

I'm surprised that the 'tortuous' route for the cold supply wasn't discussed. Could the pipe ACTUALLY have gone under the floor from the kitchen? Anyway, if the hot water pressure is good, there is no pipe noise when it's in use and the pipe run from the loft is neatly done - why problem?

 

[JPC]

I have a friend who does sales and training for Baxi Potterton, he's come up the "hard way" having been a gas fitter for them originally. When he saw the flue, he comfirmed it should definitely be pointing up and away from the boiler. He also said the 10mm pipe in the hot water was B&%Dcks also.

The CORGI thing doesn't guarantee quality of work, however the boiler manual states it should be installed by a competent person. Therefore, if CORGI is not a measure of competence, then how does one go about finding someone competent?

Apologies if this gets a few backs up, but as you can imagine I'm not impressed. I'm also relucant to start hassling him to sort it all out, as I'm not sure I want an unwilling tradesman in the house at all.

Incidentally, my friend also pointed out that Ravenheat might not honour any warranty claims if they see how its been installed.

Ur mate is right. (he's answered ur questions.)

also the mains coming from somewhere in the loft (i take its a long way round etc) will affect the pressure at the boiler as avery twist and turn will slow the water down

have u paid him ?

 

[robgee1964]

Thanks for your reply

CORGI is concerned ONLY with gas safety (and now encroaching on electricals and unvented cylinders, too) so in general it would be going outside its terms of reference if it got involved with PLUMBING issues - which is what you mostly have.]

Yes but these are all part of the boiler installation - which has to be done by a CORGI bloke.

10mm plastic pipe for hot water sounds most unlikely. Is it carrying ALL the output from the boiler or is this just the run to a single tap? Either way, plastic pipe should not be closer than 1 metre from the boiler.

its the feed for all the hot water, and its plastic right up to the boiler

I'm surprised that the 'tortuous' route for the cold supply wasn't discussed. Could the pipe ACTUALLY have gone under the floor from the kitchen? Anyway, if the hot water pressure is good, there is no pipe noise when it's in use and the pipe run from the loft is neatly done - why problem?

I asked him about the routing too, the problem is the cold feed goes all the way up, then back down when it could have gone straight from under the sink. He wasn't for budging! Like I said, hot water flow is slow upstairs. What gets me is he's had the boards up anyway, to get the 10mm to under the kitchen sink, so could easy have run a 15mm cold feed at the same time.

The flue should be OK to sort out, as you say. But is a pain in the ass, and an eye opener.

Incidentally, if the CORGI part only covers the gas, could I have done the donkey work myself (hole drilling, water piping) and just had a CORGI bloke to do the gas side of it?

Cheers


Rob

 

[robgee1964]

10mm plastic pipe for hot water sounds most unlikely. Is it carrying ALL the output from the boiler or is this just the run to a single tap? Either way, plastic pipe should not be closer than 1 metre from the boiler.


Sorry forgot to answer that one, the 10mm is right up to the boiler and is feeding the entire hot water supply.

 

[EliteHeat]

Incidentally, if the CORGI part only covers the gas, could I have done the donkey work myself (hole drilling, water piping) and just had a CORGI bloke to do the gas side of it?

Steady! - that's a like a red rag to a bull for loads of people on here

P.S. It's in my T&C's that if the customer wants to help in the installation and is genuinely useful and does what I say, then I give quite a hefty discount on the labour component of the quote.

 

[compheat]

Has a CORGI installer he's left him self open to all sorts of problems.
he's not fitted the boiler to the manufactures instructions. Has he sent of Gas work Notifacation to CORGI. Where as he put the condense drain.
If you complain to Corgi they will investigate your complaint.
CORGI only means he's qualified to do the gas / flue but as most CORGI installers are also plumbers / heating installers you would expect a good job. Send him a letter listing defects and giving hin 14 days to put right other wise you will take appropriate action.

 

[jdey]

Save yourself some money in my opinion and DIY or get in a Polski. A lot of plumbers on here don't seem to have much training. For example, they told me that no UK plumber would ever pressure test a system for leaks as there's always leaks and it would be pointless. In the US, it's a mandatory requirement to pressure test an installed system. What do the Yanks know, heh?

Then there's the small matter that 1-man band outfits wouldn't be able to come out and fix their incompetence in an emergency even if they were gracious enough to give you a warranty.

Then they'll want you to indemnify them for doing standard plumbing work e.g. I'm a CORGI-registered plumber and have advised you to buy my overpriced service based on my suspect experience over many years. If you go ahead and try to save even £1 off my quote, then please sign below indemnifying me from anything at all. Yours truly. Wyatt T. Earp

 

[compheat]

Jdey. It would seem that now you've managed to **** off most of the professional tradesmen on this forum you now feel the need to let the public know. well i suggest you get back intouch after Polski plumber as done the job. Also if your based in the London area good luck with future maintenance

 

[jdey]

Jdey. It would seem that now you've managed to p**s off most of the professional tradesmen on this forum

Seems to me it's peak season for plumbers. There'll be a lot of pros on here then.

 

[robgee1964]

Has a CORGI installer he's left him self open to all sorts of problems.
he's not fitted the boiler to the manufactures instructions. Has he sent of Gas work Notifacation to CORGI. Where as he put the condense drain.
If you complain to Corgi they will investigate your complaint.
CORGI only means he's qualified to do the gas / flue but as most CORGI installers are also plumbers / heating installers you would expect a good job. Send him a letter listing defects and giving hin 14 days to put right other wise you will take appropriate action.

Condensate drain is in plastic, out through the wall and into a gulley. Presumably this work notification has been sent, the warranty registration card has been filled out and needs posting.

Yes I can compain and beat him about the head with paperwork etc etc. But at the end of the day its like I said, would it be worth having a (by that point upset) and unwilling contractor back in the house, no doubt doing more half arsed work. Might simply be easier to sort it out myself really.

BTW, I see your in Lancs - me also.

 

[compheat]

The point is that if your installer was just some one off the street you wouldn't have any redress over the bad workmanship. and as a registered installer you leave your self open to inspection ect. I've never known anyone to use 10mm straight from the boiler, it will slow your flow rate right down.

Yes i live just outside Rawtenstall north east lancs

 

[htgeng]

Hi all

I recently had a new boiler fitted, to comply with the law I got a CORGI reg'd chap who specialised in heating.Looking forward to hearing your comments!!
[/i]

how much did he charge you for the job?

 

[weareleeds]

One thing not mentioned is the benchmark book Has it been fully completed also have your rad valves been changed if they are not already capable of withstanding 3 bar pressure also has the system been powerflushed to clean it.If as in most cases i suspect not then get him back or you will suffer in future (beware the dreaded home buyers pack)

 

[robgee1964]

Hi all

I recently had a new boiler fitted, to comply with the law I got a CORGI reg'd chap who specialised in heating.Looking forward to hearing your comments!!
[/i]

how much did he charge you for the job?

Tell you what, I'll turn that one around and ask some of the lads here what they might charge (roughly) to remove old cylinder and supply and fit a combi of that type of similar.

The guy reckoned they don't do the benchmark log books any more - something about the work being registered directly with CORGI now. I should ask my mate about that one ....

Regards
Rob

Cheers