aAsk a Tradesman

Update - Thankyou all very much for taking the time to post your honest opinions - I'll be checking out your recommendations.
Most appreciated, Shona

Looking to replace my dad's boiler. Only had one quote so far which is based on a Ferroli boiler however when i research them online they are universally panned by almost everyone - clients and installers although I guess they are a source of work for the installers!! Fairly highly recommended seems to be Vaillent Ecotek but I think this is at the higher cost end of the scale.
Is there a boiler that has good reliability at a reasonable price or is it better to go with a big name like Vaillent or Worcester and pay more initially? My dad has a servicing contract with Scottish Gas so maintenance isn't an issue but all the same he doesn't want to be calling them out every 5 mins to repair it.
When I get quotes I want to make sure I'm comparing like with like and not getting a cheaper quote because it's based on a rubbish boiler.
Boiler is for a 3 bed house with one bathroom.

Hello,

Our boiler recently broke down and we called a plumber to fix it. He decided that a part needed replacing and said he'd come back. We paid him for the labour, even though we still had no heating. When he came with the part the following day, the boiler was still not working and the guy said the part was faulty. He returned the faulty part to the shop and charged us in advance for a new, functioning part. He came back with a new part the day after, but the boiler still wasn't working. The guy then decided that the boiler needed replacing altogether, as clearly that particular part was not the problem. We hired him to replace the boiler and paid all installation costs, but we asked for our money back for the part (a very pricey one). He refused to give us the money back and he refused to give us the part, even though we had paid for it and had an invoice for it. He says that if he gives us the part he will have to charge us labour for the two occasions when he came with the part. I think that's unfair, as he did not fix the problem, and we actually paid him lots of money for replacing the boiler. I think it's not fair that we paid for a service we did not get. The workman will surely sell the part to another client, thus charging two people for the same thing.

I haven't paid the full cost of the boiler yet, so can I just refuse to pay the full amount, recovering my money for the part that was not used?

Thanks a lot.

The combi boiler was fine for a week. Then the radiators downstairs especially sitting room was very low on heat meaning heat is good when the heating is ON for 10 minutes ,then gradually goes down. I called the plumber who installed the boiler and he balanced all the radiators. But still heat wasn't proper to all the rooms.He took the pressure out of the radiators,power flushed too when he initially installed the system. The problem now is that the pressure gauge in the boiler often goes below 0 sometimes to red and heat in radiators comes down. I took the pressure out of the system by adjusting the valve in the boiler and it was fine for a day. Every day now the pressure goes to red or below 0. Also in the bedroom upsatirs where the pipes were taken below the carpet, there is a tapping noise and boiler vibrating sound whenever the boiler starts and also gurggling sound when water starts to flow.When I call the plumber, he isn't responding.I have spent thousands of pounds under the belief that heating issues will be resolved with this installation but all in vain. Why is there heat in raidiators when it is ON for 10 minutes and then heat gradually goes down in the sitting room radiatior?I am also worried about this noise upstairs. Can someone help and try to suggest something to resolve this issue?

Thanks
Sindy

I have an old header tank system. I have moved a radiator, now the heating and hot water will not come on?

Do I have an air lock? and if so how do I solve this?

Cold water supply into the system?

Which boiler is suitable for a 3 bed semi with 1 bathroom?

Worcester Greenstar Junior 28I or Vaillant ecoTEC Pro 28 Combi????

Hi

I am concerned that a little old lady who lives near me may be getting ripped off. I do not know much about plumbing or central heating systems, hence would appreciate any advice anyone could give me.

She recently had an electric central heating system installed by a “Handyman” type guy who seems to have taken to trying to befriend her, having cups of tea with her whilst trying to find new jobs to do in her home.

He installed this system. The pipes are not hidden instead are in the corner of he kitchen which looks terrible. There appears to burn marks on the wall behind the pipes. It all looks quite messy.

I have taken some pictures of the pipe work and heating bit. I do not believe the bloke is a qualified electrician / plumber. She has paid for the work, but appears embarrassed when I talk about it with her. Unfortunately she lives alone so is quite vulnerable to people trying to take advantage or her.

I am slightly worried that 1) she has been ripped off and 2) it may be dangerous 3) should I speak to trading standards 4) what qualifications do you need and what happens if he hasn’t got them?

The pressure was reading at 1500 but is now at 500. Is this bad?

He has also “laid” some new carpet for her. This has just been placed on top the old carpet, isn’t stuck down and doesn’t fit. I have included the pictures as the quality of this work also leads me to believe he is not a good tradesperson. Even with my limited knowledge of diy this is not good.

Any ideas or advice would be appreciated.

I have uploaded pictures on here http://www.diynot.com/forums/plumbing/possible-dodgy-eletric-heating-system.301209/

Thanks

Rach

Hello,

I live in a flat therefore uses electricity for both water heating and radiators. I have a conventional Telford Stainless boiler. There is a manual timer on the wall close to the boiler. The timer is set to heat water for about 4 hours in the morning, daily.

Today I got back from work and was trying to store something in the storeroom, where the boiler and the mcb unit are also located. I realised that one of two fuse/switch for water heating in the mcb unit is off. I proceed to turn it on and suddenly the timer for the boiler blow up.

I am now not sure whether the water will be heated.

Please could someone suggest the best procedures to get this fixed?

I will be utterly grateful .

Thank you in advance.

Ray

Hello
I am replacing a wall radiator that I had and that was falling off my wall as it was too heavy for the thin wall. I thought I could put something that stands on feet instead of being fixed to the wall to solve the problem of the wall being too thin. So I started lookign at nice cast iron radiators. It seems that the one I would get will weight in the 160kgs. I am now worried about it being to heavy - I live on the first floor of a typical victorian house and my floor is just made of old pine floorboards.
On the other hand 160 kilos on 2 feet that's 80kgs on each and I don't see why it wouldn't hold but I'd rather be sure, I'm wondering if I'm not being stupid here.... Many thansk for your help! :-)
Carolyn

Also I forgot to ask: some seller csay that the radiators are Pressure tested to 10 Bar and some other to 8 Bar: What's teh difference? Many thanks! :-)

I have noticed recently that the length of time we have hot water in the shower is getting shorter and shorter. The pressure gauge on our Main Combi 24 HE looks fine. Its right in the middle of the green area when on and at the bottom of the green when its not running.

The shower is fed from the boiler. Its not electric. It does have a thermostat on it.

Its a rental property so I can't have someone come to look at it myself. The boiler looks quite new so not sure what the problem could be. Anyone have any advice what might be causing this?