Leaking Condensate Drainage Pipe- Advice Please

[kay-jay]

The outside tap is shocking. The pipework should be sleeved as it passes through the wall.

 

[Worcester]

Only one screw holding the tap on, and I bet there's no double check valve on it either...

Trouble with all these threads is the OP describes problem, gets a few replies and tips and then doesn't come back to tell us the final outcome (No specific criticism to the OP here, just venting my frustration!)

 

[nnightingale85]

Sorry Worcester, I have been away for Christmas. At the moment we're waiting to hear from the plumber...who is still ignoring us. We thought we'd give him the benefit of the doubt over Christmas. But tomorrow I'm going to be ringing another plumber to come and do the job, I will then be sending a strongly word complaint to the original plumber, and ask for some money back for the cost of the repair (optimistic I know, but it's worth a shot!)

We're getting a conservatory built in a few weeks, so I'm hoping the builders might sort the brickwork at the front.

Kay Jay, what do you mean by sleeved? That tap was originally at head height! We complained that its a bit dangerous as its right on the corner, he 'dropped it down'. I was imagining he would somehow drop it down inside and pass it through a a reasonable height!

It's so difficult living in a new place with no friends or family to recommend tradesmen.

Will keep you updated on the outcome!

 

[nnightingale85]

I've just realised that the outside tap picture is the old one. I complained about it being at head height, and the shoddy brick work.

He has since filled the brick with cement and extended the pipe outside so the tap is at knee height, but there is now a big long exposed pipe outside to the tap.

He has ignored us since this!

 

[kay-jay]

When I say sleeved I mean the copper pipe should be run through the wall in a sleeve made from plastic overflow pipe. This is a regulation and prevents chemicals in mortar and plaster from reacting with the copper pipe which over time causes pinhole leaks

 

[nnightingale85]

Aaaah, thanks. Another thing to add to the list!! Would you recommend this is done soon?

I think I will ask the plumber who comes to fix the leaking pipe!

Any recommendations for a reliable and decent plumber in Tameside

Thanks

 

[FunkyOstrich]

Oh this just sound miserable! Poor you. I agree £2800 for all that work is a good price. How many days was he busy with it? Changing a boiler, fitting a few pipes and wiring it up is easy. Doing it neatly and keeping the customer's needs in mind is sometimes too much to ask for some plumbers and gas engineers. I'm very curious to see what the radiators look like. Please send pics!

 

[nnightingale85]

I know!

It is a good price, but we had a few similar priced quotes, so went with an 'Ideal Boiler Installer' from their website. I am so angry that they would recommend a workman with such little care and attention.

I'm so tempted to complain to them.

I will post some pictures of the radiators when I get home from work.

He literally did it in one day, I think half the problem was he was rushing. But when we called him back he said 'I'm not a bricky'. That's not really the point! Now I have had some advice from this forum, it is clear that the condensate pipe is inadequate, and he should have sleeved the copper pipe.

I don't trust him to come back to do the work, but it's all added expense that we also can't afford.

It's all a learning curve though.

 

[nnightingale85]

I am writing the plumber a complaint letter and requesting a refund for the work that needs doing as I don't trust him to do it.

Please could you advise me of an approximate cost (up north) for the repair of the following:

Leaking Condensate Pipe replacing

Radiator securing to wall (it moves from side to side)

Copper pipe to outside tap sleeving (ideally the pipe running inside, and then coming outside at knee height so the 3ft of copper pipe isn't exposed outside).

Repairing shoddy brick work to the front of the house

Thanks in advance, and thank again for all of your advice

 

[stevetheplumber]

if the rad is moving side to side on the brackets i doubt he has fitted the plastic inserts to the brackets sometimes a blob of silicon will cure it

 

[kay-jay]

Hard to say without seeing it in the flesh so to speak but I would imagine a couple of hundred quid

 

[nnightingale85]

Thanks, it's just an estimate. Hopefully he will refund us, but doubt it.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Leaking Condensate Pipe replacing : £100 - £150

Radiator securing to wall/ movement : £30

new outside tap : £100

brick work : about £150

 

[nnightingale85]

 

[nnightingale85]

Photos of radiator as requested. Also slightly concerned because the installation manual states that the external condensate pipe must be a minimum of 30mm before it passes through the sleeved wall.

My pipe seems smaller. The list is never ending :whatchutalkingabout