Advice please?

[questions]

So he's been out. Long discussion but if any of you have any thoughts on the following points I would be grateful!

It appears that the source of the leaks is where compression fittings join the chrome pipe for the rads. The speedfit does not appear to be leaking. (Yes we have 'discussed' the layout!) He thinks the issue is with the chrome pipe but does not appear to have a solution, as he says he has never had this problem before. He suggests getting a rep from the relevant companies- both the compression fitting company and the chrome pipe company- out together to look at the issue. Thoughts?

Re. the mixed brand fittings, he says the grey and the white fittings are both made by the same company (I think someone suggested yesterday that they were not?) Again, thoughts?

He seems positive he can sort this out for us, we are currently discussing what to do next. I don't have much confidence at the moment to be honest!

 

[lame plumber]

if he cant get a chrome pipe to work with a comp fittings he sounds inexperienced, mainly as I was taught to always removed the chrome before using a comp olive on it to stop the fitting leaking or even worse slipping off the pipe!

 

[Whl4852]

if he cant get a chrome pipe to work with a comp fittings he sounds inexperienced, mainly as I was taught to always removed the chrome before using a comp olive on it to stop the fitting leaking or even worse slipping off the pipe!

Exactly! This 'plumber' is surely just a guy having a go! Get him sorted quickly before it costs you any more. I use plastic all the time and hardly have any problems

 

[questions]

He says he has applied chemicals to remove the chrome...

When we initially had a leak on one part, my partner tightened it a little. This did not work, so he undid it. The olive dropped off- it had not crimped up at all. Plumber can't explain this. Any ideas/does this help anyone identify the issue?

Since then all the olives have been changed by the plumber. Initially he used brass, then tried copper.

 

[questions]

whl- thanks. Fortunately, at the moment it is not costing us any more. It was a price for the job. We have not yet paid in full.

 

[Scott_D]

Wrong nut or olive, could be bottoming out before it compresses?
Just a thought

 

[Whl4852]

whl- thanks. Fortunately, at the moment it is not costing us any more. It was a price for the job. We have not yet paid in full.

You need to keep hold of that money!

 

[Whl4852]

Also it's a long time since I did chemistry, but the only thing that will remove chrome electro plating is muriatic acid, a form of hydrochloride acid, I doubt he used this. Unless anybody tells me there is something else, I always just file it off?

 

[questions]

scott_d the brass olives weren't compressing, the copper ones are but there is still water seeping out. The nuts came in a pack with the compression fittings, we saw them come out of the pack and be put on with copper olives.

 

[questions]

Sorry whl, apparently I have that wrong, partner reckons he says he sanded them, not chemicals, he mentioned you could use them, but he sanded. And yes I am holding on to the remaining money tighter than a duck's arse on water!

 

[plumber0808]

"I don't know why the compression fittings leaking I will contact the manufacturer" he is not a plumber but a jobbing builder.
If its a concealed fitting The Crome can be filed off and a normal copper fitting soldered on it.
As much as you probably don't want to i would tell him he isn't getting the money as you are going to use it to employ someone else

 

[questions]

Thanks plumber0808. He doesn't appear to be anything other than a plumber...

Yes the fitting will be concealed- all that is visible are the chrome pipes coming up through the upstairs floor to the rads.

Although we haven't paid in full, we have paid enough to make this a pain in the arse!

But yes, someone else is likely to be on the agenda!

 

[plumber0808]

I wouldn't want any compression fittings under a floor they can be soldered.
You have employed a professional to do the job with that should come quality and knowledge not doubt and clueless.

 

[questions]

Thanks plumber0808. Would you say compression fittings are unreliable then, even if they are fine when fitted, are we likely to have a problem shortly down the line?

I really appreciate all the help you have all given me on here. Although I have to say that quite frankly I never wanted to know this much about plumbing!!:banghead:

 

[Whl4852]

Thanks plumber0808. Would you say compression fittings are unreliable then, even if they are fine when fitted, are we likely to have a problem shortly down the line?

I really appreciate all the help you have all given me on here. Although I have to say that quite frankly I never wanted to know this much about plumbing!!:banghead:

Hes not saying they are unreliable, if fitted correctly. You don't need to use them, just use soldered fitting, will also be cheaper!

 

[stevetheplumber]

when working from below plastic can be put in like wiring ie with as few joint as possible i definately wouldnt use compression under a floor not even on copper pipes

 

[questions]

Thanks whl. Steve, would you also prefer to solder then?

 

[plumber0808]

Compression is fine to use in accessible positions, any problems with them in the future can be dealt with. Under a floor you will never see them again.

 

[questions]

Probably a very dumb question but how do we solder to chrome?

 

[Masood]

Probably a very dumb question but how do we solder to chrome?

You file the chrome off first to the depth of the fitting plus a little more, so the solder can adhere to the copper.