Plumber Problems any advice

LawnMower Man

Just has a plumber do a job for me which involved adding a 3 thermostatic valves and changing two lengths of plastic radiator piping that where attached to the skirting with clips to copper and burying them under the floor.

First off I had to borrow his jack hammer to dig the channel for the pipes myself and then he came back to do the job a couple of day later. Anyway everything looked fine and paid the guy, that night I notice the concrete is all damp half way around where radiators are running and sure enough theres water coming from where he attached the thermostatic valves on all the radiators plus one of the existing copper pipes is leaking, Called him and following days he arrives out gives 3 quick turns of his spanner and says thats it sorted literally less than 5 mins, later on that evening I check them again and sure enough still water on the joints of them and doing further fault finding I notice one of the pipes he was meant to change to copper is the same old plastic one now covered in the grey foam insulation, looking at the receipt he gave me from a plumbing supplier he charged me for two 5.5 meter copper lengths 36 feet, yet the total amount of copper that was laid is about 17 feet which leaves a short fall of 19 feet.

So was this guy trying to shaft me or what? (This was an Irish Plumber)

Joey the lips

I dont know but suppliers sell copper in 5,5mtr lengths.

1/2" is about 10 euro a meter

3/4" is about 14 euro per meter

LawnMower Man

2 x 5.5 Meter 1/2" Copper Pipe on the receipt was 25 plus vat

so 11 meters of copper is just over 36 feet of copper and the guy used 17 feet and took the rest with him.
So there was 19 feet left over which was more than enough to change the other plastic pipe to copper.

Every single one of the three Thermostat valves he fitted had a slight leak on the joint, he obviously doesnt check his own work for faults, why should I be on my hands and knees checking all his joints for leaks.
I had paid him to change the pipes to copper which is what he suggested when he looked at it, instead he just changed one and took the easy way out with the other.

pitkan

Did this plumber give you a receipt and if so did it contain any info that he is a member of ,say, something like the association of master plumbers? If so then report him to the organisation. If not,did he arrive by horse.(Cowboy)

Joey the lips

LawnMower Man wrote: »

2 x 5.5 Meter 1/2" Copper Pipe on the receipt was 25 plus vat

so 11 meters of copper is just over 36 feet of copper and the guy used 17 feet and took the rest with him.
So there was 19 feet left over which was more than enough to change the other plastic pipe to copper.

Every single one of the three Thermostat valves he fitted had a slight leak on the joint, he obviously doesnt check his own work for faults, why should I be on my hands and knees checking all his joints for leaks.
I had paid him to change the pipes to copper which is what he suggested when he looked at it, instead he just changed one and took the easy way out with the other.

Your issue should not be the copper...that was my point. Your issue should just be the leaks. Simply tell him you want him back to correct the leaks and replace the pipe or you will seak legal advice on employing someone else to do the work and claiming all charges from the orig plumber.

Check if the plumber is rgi registered and see about reporting him here as well.

But advise him that you will allow him correct his mistake before you do any of this.

LawnMower Man

OK will do thanks for the advice

Micky Dolenz

Joey the lips wrote: »

Check if the plumber is rgi registered and see about reporting him here as well.

If he did no gas work, RGII will not entertain a compliant, if it's a money issue, they won't get involved either. They will however, get involved if there is a safety matter.

JohnnieK

The likes of this stuff really annoys me. Here am I out on my own since January doing my best and some cowboy out there is ruining it for all of us good plumbers out there. It is the likes of this that has people not trusting plumbers and other tradesmen. I would ask him for qualifications as well and proof of them. If you dont get anywhere you could take him to the smalls claims court. It will take a while but you should win by your account of things. Some times all it takes is a solicitors letter.

LawnMower Man

Plumber had his phone switched off so I managed to get his home phone number and after give him a bollocking he came out this morning and put in the copper pipe that he thought he got away with. Anyway he took off as soon as that was done didnt tell me he was leaving either, didnt bleed the rads and there is still the leak in the spot in the corner and he only replaced 3/4s of the plastic pipe....

Anyway I am not sure if its allowed to name and shame but this guys name is <snip>.

Joey the lips

LawnMower Man wrote: »

Plumber had his phone switched off so I managed to get his home phone number and after give him a bollocking he came out this morning and put in the copper pipe that he thought he got away with. Anyway he took off as soon as that was done didnt tell me he was leaving either, didnt bleed the rads and there is still the leak in the spot in the corner and he only replaced 3/4s of the plastic pipe....

Anyway I am not sure if its allowed to name and shame but this guys name is <snip>.

Why dont you phone him again and tell him what you just said.... That your not happy and he did not have the decency to contact you before leaving....

LawnMower Man

I did ring him and he said I am not Fing going out there again along with other expletives...

All he did as far as I could see was put in 3/4s of the copper pipe that he took belonging to me the first time.

Ive another plumber coming tomorrow morning to sort it out got him out of the local paper so will let you know what he thinks of this guys handiwork.

LawnMower Man

Had another plumber out today to take a look and hes looking for 200 euros to fix the leaks etc the other guy left behind, said it would take a day....

Going to look into using the small claims court

chuck eastwood

If the guy shafts you then stick his company name up here. I had a similar problem with a crowd of cowboys fitting a kitchen for me. Just said that I had been shafted by them and someone who knows the shop owner told him and he promised me the earth the next day. Amazing what a bit of bad publicity will do

LawnMower Man

Unfortunately Boards.ie dont allow to name and shame....I tried and they deleted his name.... Anyway if your in Galway and you get a plumber who is a Big Guy with a Northern Accent say thanks but no thanks cant be that many of them around Galway...

I have a guy calling out monday morning whom I got out of the local paper to sort it out will report back on how he gets on...

LawnMower Man

Got a friendly plumber out of the galway advertiser who seems to have sorted out the leaks cost me €70 (Gave him a 30 euro tip as well so €100 in total) ,Not bad considering had a guy who wanted €200 and a polish guy who wanted €150...

So touch wood its all sorted!