Are there any competent trustworthy plumbers in Leicester?

[davieG]

Without going into massive detail suffice to say I've had my fill of plumbers.

Having recently had my 5 year old boiler serviced (6 weeks ago) I'm now told it's a right off i.e. £2K+ to repair/refurbish, apparently the last plumber didn't service it properly.

I've had the Glow worm technician round to tell me it's kaput (£78 that cost) in spite of my plumber and the glow worm rep saying it would only cost £280 during a telephone discussion they had.

Anyway I'm now awaiting a quote, expecting it to be circa £2K for a replacement boiler but i've been told that current legislation states that if you have a new boiler you have to have a new flue - is this true?

I've got a Glow worm 18Hxi boiler and all I need is a straight forward replacement like for like if anyone wants to give me a quote.

[Rincewind]

I had my Glow Worm replaced because it was out of date. Although it was going wrong a lot and the ones that serviced it said parts were hard to come by. Luckily I live in rented housing so the landlord is responsible for the upkeep and servicing.

[HEGGSY]

My mums boyfriend

[Parafox]

Recently replaced an old boiler with a combi and the plumber was bang on. He lives in Coventry though so wouldn't be suitable for you.

As far as the flue is concerned I'm not sure but I found this which might help...

Unless there is a suitable location on an outside wall that will permit the boiler to be sited there then you will have to site the new boiler in the same place and install a new vertical flue at the extra expense I'm afraid.

Difficult to advise without seeing the property of course

Oh and dont forget the new boiler will be condensing so you need to make sure there is a suitable drain/waste for the condensate to run into.

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Read more: http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/central-heating-forum/9444-replace-combi-new-flue-needed.html#ixzz2JO06HtmR

[sphericalfox]

Without going into massive detail suffice to say I've had my fill of plumbers.

Having recently had my 5 year old boiler serviced (6 weeks ago) I'm now told it's a right off i.e. £2K+ to repair/refurbish, apparently the last plumber didn't service it properly.

I've had the Glow worm technician round to tell me it's kaput (£78 that cost) in spite of my plumber and the glow worm rep saying it would only cost £280 during a telephone discussion they had.

Anyway I'm now awaiting a quote, expecting it to be circa £2K for a replacement boiler but i've been told that current legislation states that if you have a new boiler you have to have a new flue - is this true?

I've got a Glow worm 18Hxi boiler and all I need is a straight forward replacement like for like if anyone wants to give me a quote.

Surely the last plumber is at fault, and his company should pay for your new one?

[The Year Of The Fox]

Without going into massive detail suffice to say I've had my fill of plumbers.

Having recently had my 5 year old boiler serviced (6 weeks ago) I'm now told it's a right off i.e. £2K+ to repair/refurbish, apparently the last plumber didn't service it properly.

I've had the Glow worm technician round to tell me it's kaput (£78 that cost) in spite of my plumber and the glow worm rep saying it would only cost £280 during a telephone discussion they had.

Anyway I'm now awaiting a quote, expecting it to be circa £2K for a replacement boiler but i've been told that current legislation states that if you have a new boiler you have to have a new flue - is this true?

I've got a Glow worm 18Hxi boiler and all I need is a straight forward replacement like for like if anyone wants to give me a quote.

Could ring our firm 01530513599. We're based in Coalville though travel everywhere so Leicester is classed as next door. We're a very good firm in all honesty, 7 years warranty on Worcester boilers (the rolls royce of boilers) But will fit whatever you request

How you're talking about your flue- is it a vertical one? As most boilers come with a standard (horizontal flue) anyway.

I wouldn't like to say you've been told correctly or incorrectly. Normally the manufacturer only makes one kind of flue so unless Glowworm have updated their flue in the last five years, swapping the boiler only is easiest and should not cost you £2k either! What is a definite no no is using one manufacturers flue and another manufacturers boiler. Is it a combi boiler? (do you have a cylinder in your airing cupboard with tanks in your loft?)

PM me if you want.

Cheers

[The Year Of The Fox]

Recently replaced an old boiler with a combi and the plumber was bang on. He lives in Coventry though so wouldn't be suitable for you.

As far as the flue is concerned I'm not sure but I found this which might help...

Unless there is a suitable location on an outside wall that will permit the boiler to be sited there then you will have to site the new boiler in the same place and install a new vertical flue at the extra expense I'm afraid.

Difficult to advise without seeing the property of course

Oh and dont forget the new boiler will be condensing so you need to make sure there is a suitable drain/waste for the condensate to run into.

• 
  

Read more: http://www.ukplumber...l#ixzz2JO06HtmR

If the old boiler is 5 years old, it'll be condensing anyway

[Parafox]

If the old boiler is 5 years old, it'll be condensing anyway

I thought that, but i just lifted the whole thing from the ukplumber website.

[davieG]

Could ring our firm 01530513599. We're based in Coalville though travel everywhere so Leicester is classed as next door. We're a very good firm in all honesty, 7 years warranty on Worcester boilers (the rolls royce of boilers) But will fit whatever you request

How you're talking about your flue- is it a vertical one? As most boilers come with a standard (horizontal flue) anyway.

I wouldn't like to say you've been told correctly or incorrectly. Normally the manufacturer only makes one kind of flue so unless Glowworm have updated their flue in the last five years, swapping the boiler only is easiest and should not cost you £2k either! What is a definite no no is using one manufacturers flue and another manufacturers boiler. Is it a combi boiler? (do you have a cylinder in your airing cupboard with tanks in your loft?)

PM me if you want.

Cheers

Hi, Thanks for the info.

It's a condensing boiler Glowworm 18Hx1 and it's fitted in the airing cupboard above the immersion heater. The airing cupboard is upstairs of a chalet bungalow and the flue goes from the boiler through the attic space and then through the roof (like the cost of this plumbing ). The guy said it was legislated that if you replace a boiler and this is like for like you 'have to' have to new flue, "it's the law". The whole lot was fitted in 2005ish.

[The Year Of The Fox]

Hi, Thanks for the info.

It's a condensing boiler Glowworm 18Hx1 and it's fitted in the airing cupboard above the immersion heater. The airing cupboard is upstairs of a chalet bungalow and the flue goes from the boiler through the attic space and then through the roof (like the cost of this plumbing ). The guy said it was legislated that if you replace a boiler and this is like for like you 'have to' have to new flue, "it's the law". The whole lot was fitted in 2005ish.

As I say, I wouldn't like to say for definite. They are always updating the laws when it comes to gas/flues/boilers.

It doesn't sound as if the vertical flue has that far to go, possibly 2m up on to the terminal.

I'm not going to give you a price for my firm cos I'd only be making it up. Is it an Ultracom/Flexicom or Betacom?

If it's a Betacom they're 'B' Rated boilers (energy efficiency) which were sold upto around a year ago. I think nowadays you can only fit 'A' Rated boilers, hence possibly the bigger than you expected price.

If you're still able to get the exact same boiler it wouldn't be much over £800 I imagine. No alterations on the pipework should be needed as all the tappings should marry up to the exisitng pipework. If you did need a new flue then it is a bit more expensive, 2 flue extensions (as a guess), a vertical flue adaptor, a weathering slate and terminal. Possibly another £200.

If I was doing it myself I'd probably charge about £200 for fitting boiler only just to give you an idea.

Feel free to ring our office if you want, even if its just to inquire about the flue situation. They don't mind helping!

[sphericalfox]

As I say, I wouldn't like to say for definite. They are always updating the laws when it comes to gas/flues/boilers.

It doesn't sound as if the vertical flue has that far to go, possibly 2m up on to the terminal.

I'm not going to give you a price for my firm cos I'd only be making it up. Is it an Ultracom/Flexicom or Betacom?

If it's a Betacom they're 'B' Rated boilers (energy efficiency) which were sold upto around a year ago. I think nowadays you can only fit 'A' Rated boilers, hence possibly the bigger than you expected price.

If you're still able to get the exact same boiler it wouldn't be much over £800 I imagine. No alterations on the pipework should be needed as all the tappings should marry up to the exisitng pipework. If you did need a new flue then it is a bit more expensive, 2 flue extensions (as a guess), a vertical flue adaptor, a weathering slate and terminal. Possibly another £200.

If I was doing it myself I'd probably charge about £200 for fitting boiler only just to give you an idea.

Feel free to ring our office if you want, even if its just to inquire about the flue situation. They don't mind helping!

Just don't let Mario come to fix it, whatever you do davieG

[davieG]

Surely the last plumber is at fault, and his company should pay for your new one?

Probably but it would be hard to prove especially as he convinced me to spend £300 to have the system flushed out some of it being over 60 years old and with a couple of the radiators not getting hot at all, he then, having quoted me £350 for the flushing and the service waived the service fee as he did it whilst the flushing was going on. He seemed a decent an honest guy who I'd used previously. Very disappointed with him.

Just don't let Mario come to fix it, whatever you do davieG

Are you suggesting that MrsG is an old boiler from some ancient porno movies.

[The Year Of The Fox]

Probably but it would be hard to prove especially as he convinced me to spend £300 to have the system flushed out some of it being over 60 years old and with a couple of the radiators not getting hot at all, he then, having quoted me £350 for the flushing and the service waived the service fee as he did it whilst the flushing was going on. He seemed a decent an honest guy who I'd used previously. Very disappointed with him.

Are you suggesting that MrsG is an old boiler from some ancient porno movies.

I find the power flushing pretty overrated.

I've only had one success with it.

Look on the brightside, British Gas charge more like £600 for the same thing.

[notnow john]

I have a similar problem, what's the alternative to a power flush?

[The Year Of The Fox]

I have a similar problem, what's the alternative to a power flush?

I would isolate the problematic radiators in turn and take them outside, stick a hose into it and let the pressure build up then release it. You will get no end of black shite everywhere unless you're careful. It doesn't come out of carpets either

Tap the rads with the handle of a hammer trying to free the black syrup up.

Failing that I'd look at replacing the radiators depending on their age.

Look at the Sentinel X range too. When you fill up the heating for wheat you assume is the last time use X100. If you fancy flushing the system out aa above then use X400 and leave that circulating with the heating on as normal for 2 weeks prior.

Id also strongly recommend a MagnaClean (the purple box ones are better, but the red boxed ones are bloody good too)

After using a MagnaClean for a couple of weeks you'd understand why your heating system needs protecting. Worth the 80-100 quid they cost

[notnow john]

I would isolate the problematic radiators in turn and take them outside, stick a hose into it and let the pressure build up then release it. You will get no end of black shite everywhere unless you're careful. It doesn't come out of carpets either

Tap the rads with the handle of a hammer trying to free the black syrup up.

Failing that I'd look at replacing the radiators depending on their age.

Look at the Sentinel X range too. When you fill up the heating for wheat you assume is the last time use X100. If you fancy flushing the system out aa above then use X400 and leave that circulating with the heating on as normal for 2 weeks prior.

Id also strongly recommend a MagnaClean (the purple box ones are better, but the red boxed ones are bloody good too)

After using a MagnaClean for a couple of weeks you'd understand why your heating system needs protecting. Worth the 80-100 quid they cost

Thanks for that.

[Rincewind]

The plumber who plumbed in my washing machine did not have any washers with him to fit the out waste pipe.and had to return the following day. Is this usual for plumbers?

[The Year Of The Fox]

The plumber who plumbed in my washing machine did not have any washers with him to fit the out waste pipe.and had to return the following day. Is this usual for plumbers?

Not really. I've never needed a washer to fit a waste. A jubilee clip perhaps.

Regardless any plumbing merchant sells that stuff, and if you live in Leicester there are 5 merchants i can think of straight away

[Zingari]

The plumber who plumbed in my washing machine did not have any washers with him to fit the out waste pipe.and had to return the following day. Is this usual for plumbers?

He might have called them washers but they are actually "O rings" and you do usually need them to seal waste connections.

did he come back with them?

[The Year Of The Fox]

He might have called them washers but they are actually "O rings" and you do usually need them to seal waste connections.

did he come back with them?

I've never used an o ring to connect a wash machine waste!

[Zingari]

I've never used an o ring to connect a wash machine waste!

they're usually hidden inside the connectors

can you see it in the end coupling ?

edit ;

Are we talking about just the "hooked rubber pipe" that just loops into the pre-existing washing machine U bend . or a proper first time plumbed in washing machine waste pipe ?

[Rincewind]

Itwas the rubber hose thing that fits onto the U bend. I fitted the taps part OK but could not see where the hose went. The kitchen fitter had left a clip but the plumber was missing a part. Never stood over watching him but from what I saw he connected it it at the back which I did not see when looking. Sure he said washer but he may have been using a layman's term for me.

I may have been able to do it eventually but I prefer somebody who knows what they are doing to fit it.

Looks like I would have had to unscrew something then screw it back on. May not have the tools for that or even made it tight enough. Don't want to flood everything.

[The Year Of The Fox]

they're usually hidden inside the connectors

can you see it in the end coupling ?

edit ;

are we talking about just the "hooked rubber pipe" that just loops into the U bend . or a proper plumbed in washing machine waste pipe ?

In talking about both. The hockey stick/stand pipe you're referring to needs nothing. The tit trap as in your picture does need an o ring but should come fitted with one anyway. You can always use PTFE tape instead in anu case. The jubilee clip i mentioned secures the grey hose to the end of the teat

[Zingari]

In talking about both. The hockey stick/stand pipe you're referring to needs nothing. The tit trap as in your picture does need an o ring but should come fitted with one anyway. You can always use PTFE tape instead in anu case. The jubilee clip i mentioned secures the grey hose to the end of the teat

ah yes i see what you mean , but i'm not sure ptfe is a good idea to replace an o ring

[The Year Of The Fox]

Edit just seen the washer you meant. The black conical one. Any plumber should have one of those in his van