Is this pipework normal?

Joined
15 Oct 2018
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Country
United Kingdom
Hi,

We've recently had a radiator fitted and the pipes look a little strangely done!

Is this normal or should we get them fixed? (The floors are concrete so they can't run down)

Thanks!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20181119_201410.jpg
    IMG_20181119_201410.jpg
    182.6 KB · Views: 949
Sponsored Links
It will work well enough, but for sure it aint very pretty!
Assuming that the pipe that exits the wall cant be moved at all, it could have been cut nearer the wall and then the copper pipe formed so as to lose that second elbow.....it wouldnt be so obtrusive that way. The pipe looks like 10mm stuff?
John :)
 
Yeah. I don't know much about plumbing but I thought for sure there must have been a better way to do it! Luckily we haven't paid him yet!

The pipes seem 10mm I think? Is that too small? The radiator is only actually getting luke warm so might this be the reason why?

Thanks for your feedback btw :)
 
Sponsored Links
It'll work but it looks terrible, doesn't look plumb, not sure why they've used compression fittings (probably can't solder).

Strikes me as a chancers work.

The pipe looks like 10mm stuff?

A friend of mine who's done a lot of cast iron rads told me a while back it's usually 13 mm (rarely 22mm) then changed over to BSP sizes, as they're often refurbished and of course, still in imperial.

The radiator is only actually getting luke warm so might this be the reason why?

They will take slighlty longer to get up to temp compared to a modern convector radiator but they should end up as hot.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Right, maybe I'll take the money that we owe him and get someone in that knows what they're doing!

Looks like it will need to be completely done again by the sound of things! Can the pipework be fixed without ripping it all out?

Will this poor pipework be what's affecting the function of the radiator or is that something else that he's not done right? He has told me that it's not working due to a missing pin in the exit valve...which didn't sound right to me!

Thanks again
 
Looks like it will need to be completely done again by the sound of things! Can the pipework be fixed without ripping it all out?

By a plumber who knows what they're doing, yes.

Will this poor pipework be what's affecting the function of the radiator or is that something else that he's not done right? He has told me that it's not working due to a missing pin in the exit valve...which didn't sound right to me!

I doubt it but at the same time, looking at that work, I'd take what he tells you with a pinch of salt.
 
Its only possible to use solder fittings when the pipes are dry, compression fittings are an easy way out. 10mm pipes should be fine, perhaps the radiator hasnt been bled or maybe there’s some dirt in there.
A missing pin usually refers to a TRV fitted on the other end - it stands for a thermostatic radiator valve that closes down when the room temperature has been reached. A pic could help!
John :)
 
Yes! Those are the exact valves. Apparently the smaller one is missing a pin. We have bled the rad but it is still only lukewarm.

I wasn't too bothered about the push valves initially, it was the really ugly pipework that will look dreadful once we have the skirting board fitted. I don't think we will be letting this guy anywhere near the radiator again!
 
We have bled the rad but it is still only lukewarm.

If that's the case and the other rads in the house are getting much hotter I'd say theres a problem with the valves. Were they new or used? If your fitter has supplied them as new it's down to him to replace them with a working as new set.
 
Have you spoke to the guy who did the work expressing your concerns and given him a chance to remedy in the manner you want?

Did you discuss solder joints with him before he started?

It's a little harsh to just refuse payment and get someone else in to remedy.

You're talking about someone's livelihood and by taking the hard stance depriving him/her of income without chance to rectify.

If they arrived promptly on the arranged date, cleaned up after themselves the only thing I can see they did wrong was not do the work as you expected. They kept their side of the contract and should be allowed to remedy.
 
Last edited:
Have you spoke to the guy who did the work expressing your concerns and given him a chance to remedy in the manner you want?

Did you discuss solder joints with him before he started?

It's a little harsh to just refuse payment and get someone else in to remedy.

You're talking about someone's livelihood and by taking the hard stance depriving him/her of income without chance to rectify.

If they arrived promptly on the arranged date, cleaned up after themselves the only thing I can see they did wrong was not do the work as you expected. They kept their side of the contract and should be allowed to remedy.

In fairness it isn't the neatest work, and I wouldn't be happy with it but I would have made that clear and what I expected from the start if it functions, does its job as intended and as per the agreement they deserve to be paid, if you'd like it changed for something else they're entitled to charge you again. Unless your specification said, no compression, pulled from the wall, they could install it any way they want as long as it meets the statutory requirements and guidance documents. If I was the installer I'd take you to court and they'd win its all about documentation, and if it says to install a radiator that's what they've done.
 
Before I wrote this post I had been chasing him for two weeks to come and finish the job. He only got back to me yesterday, so I'm guessing that his livlihood doesn't depend too much on this job.

I contacted him again today and asked him to finish the job to our satisfaction so we could settle the bill. He declined and advised us to use the money owed to get someone in to fix it. He knows that he's messed this up.

There are certain standards that are expected in any job, to say that he's done what was asked and deserves to be paid is ridiculous. If a painter and decorator painted your house and left big streaks all over you would expect it to be rectified before you paid them.
 
Thanks all for your help and advice, we've got a local plumber coming by tonight to give us a quote on fixing this shoddy work!
 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top