Reverse Circulation

[iateyoubutler]

I had this problem with my system, all 5 upstairs radiators were red hot when the hot water was on, and if I turned them all off the problem just moved downstairs. This was all traced eventually to the bathroom radiator return being in between the cylinder return, and the boiler - done that way just out of laziness when it was first fitted (I would think). After re-routing the cylinder return by about 6ft and teeing in again about a foot away from the boiler it made a massive difference, the hot water could be on all day and every radiator would remain stone cold.

That was all it took......

 

[blackbirdxx]

Thanks for that. Before you go could you advise whether the £1240+VAT price to remove the cylinder and repair is extortionate?? What very appx price should I expect living in London?

 

[iateyoubutler]

Sounds a bit steep to me. I`ve just paid not a lot more than that for a complete new boiler. I would certainly shop around!

 

[ianmcd]

you dont need to remove the cylinder, just cut the hw return and cap it, then extend that pipe to the last connection on the return before the boiler

 

[Madrab]

IMO ... This problem was caused by the original installer not plumbing things in correctly. There should be absolutely no cost to you as once you pay then it'll be so much harder to get the money back from someone else. It really should be corrected under guarantee.

I don't understand why the original installer isn't back correcting the problem if he was insurance appointed?? If it was an insurance claim then again IMO they should be getting it corrected and then it's up to them to chase for the outstanding costs, not you.

 

[blackbirdxx]

I don't understand why the original installer isn't back correcting the problem if he was insurance appointed??

It's all rather complicated. The original plumber working for the builder wasn't acknowledging there was a reverse circulation problem and was coming up with all sorts of excuses. I had to appoint another plumber to prove to the builder and insurer there actually is a problem. The builder is now pressing its plumber to fix it or cover all costs in getting it fixed. It would be far cheaper for him to come back and fix the problem but I'm guessing he's embarrassed about it all. I'm now stuck with this repair quote of £1240+VAT which the original plumber will be asked to cover to repair the system which I'm still not sure if exorbitant or realistic??

 

[D_Hailsham]

Have you passed the £1240+VAT problem over to your insurance company? It's their job to sort everything out, not yours.

 

[Madrab]

The builder is now pressing its plumber to fix it or cover all costs in getting it fixed

I would suggest that you leave it to the builder/insurance to get someone to fix it, either the original or an alternative and they cover the cost. Therefore it is for them to worry whether its expensive or not. Again though, the cylinder doesn't need moved, just the pipework.

 

[blackbirdxx]

Have you passed the £1240+VAT problem over to your insurance company? It's their job to sort everything out, not yours.

The quote has been sent to the builder who is now sitting on it. I'm still awaiting how they wish to progress. At least I've proved to everybody that there actually is a problem to be sorted.

 

[ianmcd]

just tell your insurer to sort it , wh are you even getting involved ?

 

[blackbirdxx]

just tell your insurer to sort it , wh are you even getting involved ?

Thats the next step. I only got involved as the original plumber refused to acknowledge there was a problem.

 

[ianmcd]

just let them get on with it, amazing what happens when the insurer tells the builder well we are not paying out then , or have you already been paid ???

 

[blackbirdxx]

The claim is still ongoing so I'll not be out of a pocket. I guess I was getting overly involved as my central heating probs were not getting sorted. I also had a prob with the HW not coming on which was sorted by a replacement programmer.

 

[ianmcd]

sorry but so many insurance companies now pay the insured and leave them to it, anything goes wrong , suck it up buttercup, if they are dealing with everything let them do it , complain after just say you are not satisfied , but be honest the reverse circulation was always there

 

[Agile]

It is always a potential problem for experienced people working for builders.

Builders mainly use less skilled people and mostly now from East Europe on lower pay rates often £10 to £20 an hour.

Experienced people expect a much higher pay rate which builders are reluctant to pay. So the builders often employ less experienced people than what is really needed for the job. Hence these problems often arise.

Experienced people can charge a significant daily rate and often £400 or more a day.

Without knowing what is involved in correcting the problem in your case it is difficult to assess what might be reasonable. There is also a tendency for higher charges to be made for correcting other's failures.