Plumber... Is this normal?

I have recently employed a plumber to replace a radiator with a towel rail in my bathroom. The connecting pipes were about 10cm too wide for the new towel rail hence some adjustment was required.

I had 10mm pipe coming out of the wall so expected this is to be adjusted. Instead the plumber knocked 2 holes in the wall to reveal the pipes in the wall and then, grabbed the pipes and using his hand bent the 10mm copper pipe to meet the towel rail adjustments.

He left telling me I could just tile over it, however the gap is at least 10cm wide so I am concerned tiles wont effectively cover the gap although I am mid tiling the bathroom so can do it. Would this support the pipe?

I was slightly concerned about this, however, the plumber pointed out that he doesn't come to my work and tell me what to do...

Is this normal and should I be satisfied by this workmanship. I can email a photo is it helps explain things.

Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

i would have thought chrome extensions would have been better

sounds normal to me if your tiling over it whats the problem

give us a pic ?

should be ok.
why don't you fill the 10cm holes before tiling ?

I was worried. Nothing seems to be holding the pipes tight apart from the new tiles which wont be strong as they are covering the gap and just reaching in, grabbing the pipes and forcing them to a new position seemed a bit of a bodge job to be honest, but if thats normal and wont damage the joints etc then great, my mind can rest. Thanks for your help.

10mm copper tube is intended to be bent/straightened as required, it typically comes from a coil.

If, like any copper tube it is repeatedly bent/straightened/over-stressed it will of course fail.

From your description however I would not be concerned.

Not too sure about 'customer relations' in this case though?, depends, perhaps, on just how you as a customer construe 'pointed out that he doesn't come to my work and tell me what to do...', perhaps he does not feel that plumbing/heating is 'spectator' event.

DH

bunters1976 said:

I was slightly concerned about this, however, the plumber pointed out that he doesn't come to my work and tell me what to do...

Click to expand...

I like him

10mm doesn't exactly need alot of support and if your gonna re-tile then he's done you a favour. They always look much better sticking straight out the wall.

He should have discussed the m.o. in advance.

However, he has done what will look best for you and I think that he has done the correct thing.

You should apologise for showing some concerns.

Tony




PS If you are retiling the wall then how will you tile BEHIND the towel rail?

Thanks all for your help. I was worried especially as his mate was telling him not to force the pipes across and the only time I have seen pipes bent, a pipe bender etc was used, hence wanted to someone independents opinion. I am now happy that this was not a bodge job.

I wasnt rude, just explained I was surprised that you could do what he did. Thanks again

Are you sure about your measurements 10mm microbore pipes you could tie in a knot 15mm copper pipes not so good . is the hole he made really 4 inches diameter The more I read these pages - the more I realise what a damned good plumber I was Trouble is no one is in Sussex wanting a hand

I was interested if this was normal. I am relieved that it is.

I think the day became quite frustrating for all of us. He quoted on Friday where I stated I wanted the piped adjusted. The quote was based on this. I had the towel rail from homebase. He arrived 45 minutes late. They then realised the brackets were faulty so I had to return to homebase whilst they moved on to another job. He told me it would be £20 extra for this and as my boiler will be more complicated a first thought.

I returned half an hour later and waited all day for them to return. I understand they were busy and this was not my fault. They then had issues filling my tank and me the filler pipe isn't working properly althouh the system was working fine before as far a I know.

It had recently been inspected by British gas so I was concerned if thats the case. One of the 2 blokes said " you can't move them that far. They wont go that far and this is not the time to force it." the second bloke moved them across. Hearing this I asked "are you sure that's ok?" I was not rude but wanted to check. I am not a plumber and do not know if the pipes and joints can be bent by hand on this manner.

I am grateful that it is normal and not an issue and wanted this reassurance thats all. It was a stressful day for all of us. The final issue came as one of the valves were leaking. He tightened it and appered to be a hurry to leave. I realised it was leaking again so had get him back out of his car. He tightened it said it's fine went to leave. I then saw it was leaking and had to fetch him again. And the same happened a third time.

By this time is was 9pm so can under stand he wanted to go home. I hope this joint will be ok and not start leaking again. It appears ok. It was a frustrating day for everyone. I am not unreasonable and appreciate that it was more difficult than everyone thought. If the pipes and valve are fine then I am happy they are good blokes.

I Just wanted to check.