Silly me: got cylinder replaced to help pressure - was I duped?

[andreigoea]

Hi all,

I've been quite stupid I think. I put an ad out asking for quotes for replacing the cylinder in my flat. A direct combination one.

When the trader came over I told him I was doing it to improve the water pressure in my bathroom taps (which I have now learned is not how this works at all). He agreed to do it for £750, cost of cylinder included.

Now after the installation is complete, the pressure is actually a bit worse (I assume due to the cylinder being a bit smaller?). I feel duped, like I've spent £750 for no reason.

I know my original ad said I want a cylinder replaced but when telling him why should he not have advised it wouldn't achieve the result? Feeling angry at myself mostly but also feel a little misled. Is the matter worth pursuing with the guy at all?

Best regards,
Andrei Goea

 

[andreigoea]

So the only solution is to install an unvented cylinder. Something similar to this? Ariston Classico Unvented Cylinder | 3060399 | Direct | 150L

Will the resulting pressure be OK for the taps? Could I run a shower off of it?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

So the only solution is to install an unvented cylinder. Something similar to this? Ariston Classico Unvented Cylinder | 3060399 | Direct | 150L

Will the resulting pressure be OK for the taps? Could I run a shower off of it?

in short yes, but it all depends on your mains coming in

best to have someone round and have a chat with them they need to be g3 qualified eg unvented qualified

 

[andreigoea]

Thank you so much Shaun. For reference this is the pressure I'm talking about.

 

[Chuck]

So the only solution is to install an unvented cylinder.

IMO, that would be the nicest solution.

If it's not feasible, I'd consider replacing the taps with ones designed for low pressure and installing an electric shower.

 

[Old Account]

I do not know, why people just walk in customers homes not listening at all what the customer is complaining about. I definitely disagree on that fact that he did what you wanted him to do, because if he had listen properly he would have picked up that you have an issue with the hot water pressure being low. If that's the case he would make a survey and assess the job right.

I would not just swallow that, you had to literally spend a lot of money for nothing. I would try to find a solution with him together and not causing more damage to your pocket. Really, he had made mistake by not listening to you at the beginning. Because, I do no think that someone will call you up and ask you to install just a tank ... there is always the question coming what the reason behind that is. That's a natural thing to ask why you want to install this and that.

 

[andreigoea]

I agree matchless, but as you've seen from the texts above the guy doesn't really care.

Other than give him a review so others are aware as well I don't know what to do.

 

[Chuck]

Other than give him a review so others are aware as well I don't know what to do.

Consult the Citizens Advice Bureau or your local Trading Standards Dept. There's an argument to be made that your plumber did not exercise 'reasonable skill and care'. The flow rate (not 'pressure') of hot water looks to be well below the minimum specified in the applicable standards and you could argue that a competent plumber should have predicted this and clearly warned you that replacing the tank would not cure this problem.

I strongly recommend that you don't start publishing bad reviews anywhere until you have consulted CAB. You may well find that they will prejudice your case.

 

[rpm]

If it makes you feel any better .......................
Booked the van in for the mot with the instruction that the handbrake needed looking at FIRST. Then when I went to collect the van it had failed the mot on the handbrake not working correctly and they didn`t have time to look at it!
I`ve looked into the matter and been told there is nothing I can do, so I`ve spread the word around town verbally.

 

[Michael1960]

As others have said a pump wont work as the header wont keep up, if you the change taps make sure that you install non return valves as the higher pressure mains fed cold will win the battle and cause header to overflow, quite common.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

As others have said a pump wont work as the header wont keep up, if you the change taps make sure that you install non return valves as the higher pressure mains fed cold will win the battle and cause header to overflow, quite common.

Need to be dual flow taps mate

 

[Michael1960]

Need to be dual flow taps mate

True, that bath tap has trouble written all over it though!!

 

[andreigoea]

On top of everything the new immersion heater seems to be turning on every 2 hours with this cylinder. With the old one it would be closer to every 20 hours. Is this normal at all?

Also when it turns on it makes quite a loud hissing noise whereas the old one was a lot more silent.

 

[Chuck]

[T]he new immersion heater seems to be turning on every 2 hours with this cylinder. With the old one it would be closer to every 20 hours. Is this normal at all?

No, not really. Such tanks should be controlled by a time-switch set up to have the heater on for the minimum period(s) needed to make sure you have hot water available at the times you use it.