Plumbing

Tradesman put grout and tile spacers down the bath clogging the pipes

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 2.51 PM

Please help. We had a bathroom install while we were on holiday. Along with cosmetic issues, of which there are many, the sink and shower need to be ripped out and reinstalled. In fact, five plumbers who have been in since him has said that it's a poor install and the only thing to do is to rip it out and redo everything. The biggest issue I have is that he put grout and over 40 tile spacers down the bath, clogging the pipes, and propped up the waste pipe from the shower with an empty caustic soda bottle. He's claiming he's done a good job and what was required of him - a bathroom install. He says that the drainage issues were existing and not as a result of his shoddy work and unknown to him and not quoted for therefore not dealt with. Surely if he's propping up the shower waste with an empty caustic soda bottle he knew there were issues with drainage? The report I have from Dynorod said that he caused the drainage issues and as he had the floors up he could have installed the waste pipes properly. The full amount is currently outstanding and he is threatening legal action to get the amount and refuses to accept responsibility, saying that he is offering a £1,500 deduction for work done (although invoice inflated his quote by £1,250 so not much of a deduction.) As a plumber/bathroom installer, shouldn't he have investigated the drainage issue and resolved it if it was a problem with the waste pipes? (and also not washed his grout bucket down the bath...) he's saying that he had no idea of any drainage issues and he didn't quote for sorting it out so he's not liable - is this a fair defense? Edit: *thank you D & R Property, that is most helpful. I've contacted ciphe. Despite having obtained advice on the subject, the more the better as far as I'm concerned on the subject, as everyone has been able to provide a new or different perspective. Lesson learnt for sure, the hard way. I'm a new homeowner and a relatively trusting person and this is the first issue I've had. Terribly naive, but I thought if someone sells you a service, they must be qualified to do it.