...not another Hob installation Post...

[Weavermech]

Oh yes.

I've just put a new kitchen into my new flat, and I also have a new gas hob where there was a cooker before. I have no intention doing it all myself and have already spoken to a Corgi Registered so you can all relax a little

I'm going to get into a fair bit of detail, so you guys know exactly where I stand, so please bear with me...

I called in the Corgi guy hoping for a quick and painless rigid fitting coming from the existing supply that is sunk into the wall behind my new units. Problem is that the old fitting is a bayonet and he told me either it would have to be unscrewed (not quick job as it's sunk into the wall), or a new pipe would have to be run under the units from the nearby meter.

So after a 10 minute appraisal he left, leaving me with an invoice for the full hours work.
He was looking at the work we'd done on the kitchen (between myself and my dad we have a fair amount of Diy and engineering skill outside of gas) and as he was leaving, advised that whatever route we took, to get the pipework in place, and get someone accredited to do the final connections and testing.

I spent the afternoon chiseling out a hole behind the bayonet fitting to unscrew it, and now I want to get as much done before I call him back.

What's the best way to do it?

I'm planning to screw in an elbow joint to replace the bayonet, but not sure if it's best to bend, or solder joints to get to the hob. It's about 250mm horizontal and 150mm vertical travel. Is 15mm the best/only pipe to use?

Next time I call him out the job is getting done regardless as I want to get this closed and start eating properly cooked food again, but I want to get as much as practicably possible done to avoid paying through the nose.

Thanks in advance,

Weaver

p.s. The pipework in the wall is not hooked up to the new meter at the moment, I will leave that to him also.

 

[plummerman]

Firstly, even tho you say your not doin gas work. You are. Regs state any pipework to convey gas MUST be installed by an RGI. Secondly this dry pipe you talk of may already have a gas leak on it. So along comes friendly RGI and condem's your entire gas supply. It will be more than a warm meal your'll be losing in the long run if that happens. Always get a professional to do the job. If you think the one you've already had is taking the mik ask another to come an quote. Most wont charge for quoting

 

[Weavermech]

Everywhere I spoke to said they couldn't do a quote, it would be on an hourly rate.

With regards to a leak, isn't there a way for an RGI to test the existing pipework, before doing the final connection between the old and new? The supply to the meter is definitely ok, 'cause the meter was only fitted and tested a week ago.
If it (a potential leak) is in the existing pipe between the old bayonet and the meter (less than 1050mm), I'd have the same problem either way and I'd have to have new pipe in regardless.
If leak is in the new pipe I'd run (or if he found it in any way substandard) then we would bin it and the RGI would do it himself, and I'd be no worse off than if I had left it alone?

I'm looking at the invoice and work details now and he wrote:

"Inspected existing gas supply pipe - bayonet fitting sunk into wall - Gas pipe needs to be exposed/rerun. Customer will run new pipe & ask us to connect it to meter + hob."

I don't mind paying again to get it done, but the idea of paying for another 2 hours work plus parts if I could safely (emphasis) get it done for 1 stings.

 

[plummerman]

i understand your situation, and sympathise. Most reputable plumbers don't charge for quoting. it's a privilage you've been asked to tender!!!
But by you fiiting the pipeline and him commisisioning it, is the very thing corgi are trying to stamp out! Gas work being carried out by illegal installers and asking an RGI to commision. Not only could he be in trouble for doing it, what kind of guarntee are you goner get once it's all finished?