Shower installation

[sali]

I recently had a shower installed. During the process the water was turned off. The next day the shower unit was leaking slightly when it wasn't on and also the cistern in the downstairs toilet (that was where the water was turned off). The plumber fixed the shower and then said that the problem with the cistern was related to the old imperial stopcock mechanism. The stopcock replacement would cost me.

Some weeks after the installation I noticed wet patches on the bathroom ceiling. I went to check and there is one of the shower connection pipes leaking very slowly at a joint, but the major leak is coming from the the pipe that goes into the tank, which wasn't changed when the shower was installed, although the shower pipes were attached to it. So when water is used or the ball-valve pushed down it leaks. The plumber has said that this was caused by a corroded valve. The tank has been in the house for years and I never had an issue before this work was carried out.

I would be interested in your feedback.

 

[GreenArmy]

I would suggest that the leak to the downstairs toilet has been caused by a bit of crap from water supply/stopcock after the water has been turned off and then back on. Rewasher or replace ballvalve. The leak to the shower supply probably needs a tighten up or re-soldering and the leak to the tank i would suggest is again a bit of crap stuck in ball valve or the ball valve has been twisted around when making the shower pipe connection thus causing it to spray/fill on an angle rather than straight down or a fibre washer to the ballvalve supply. Either way in my opinion all these problems should be fixed by the plumber who fitted the shower with the only cost to you being any materials used.
I may obviously be wrong in my description as its impossible to tell whilst sitting in front a computer. Could you post photos?

 

[sali]

Thanks for your reply.

Well, I'm being billed for the this work. I'm left to repair the ceiling myself or employ another tradesman. Unfortunately I don't have the 'corroded' valve that was removed. The plumber took it away. I could probably try to get some photos of the finished work. The problem is the pipe that goes through the tank - the one that takes the mains water supply. The pipe seems to secured either side of the tank and when I pressed on the ball-valve this pipe would leak outside of the tank and drip onto the roof joists. Do these 'valves' become corroded?

I've just let the cistern drip. The plumber says that as it's an imperial measurement, he couldn't get the parts so he'd have to replace the whole thing and it's going to 'cost'.

I feel like a fly caught in a trap.

 

[david williams]

change your plumber ,go to ciphe ,or ask a freind for one they recomend

 

[gjc2009]

sounds like he did do what was asked of him ,if scum has blocked things he carnt help that,and if ther was a leak on a new pipe he had solderd then he should have came out asap and sorted it ,,i dont think the guy should be billed for a new ceiling and everythin else,,unles what he done was a direct cause of the damage,and if so things happen people make mistakes so ask him to meet you half way on the cost

 

[Puddle]

Seems to me that this plumber needs to slow down and check his work afterwards
He has probably done a good job, however all good will has been lost for the sake of 10mins checks 🙁
The mains stopcock leaking should have be checked after use, as it is a common faulty to occur and gland re packed or tightened, if it needed replacing arrangements could have been made
His pipework had small leak, pipework is visible so should have been checked after works complete and pipework filled, if it did not show up at first, it would have been visible the next day
The leaking pipe into tank was probably disturbed when pipework cut and teed into, joints should withhold such works but compression joints near to work area should have been checked
When I have finished a job, I check installation operation and soundness, no matter how rushed I am, I make sure the customer see’s me do it, not because I am a clever bas##rd, (Well there is that 😀)
But
1. I have wasted too many hours going back to jobs for stupid little things when I was younger and inexperienced because I rushed them
I.e. not opening one of the valves I closed down, leaking glands, unchecked air locks, drain cock with slight weep, loose wire in control box, control settings not left as found, all 2 minute jobs that I have lost half a day going back to, as they are always the furthest jobs
2. If the customer sees you check all your work, they are happy and if something does go wrong, you come back and sort it and the customer is more likely to relate to situation
3. My little business is built on recommendations, no advertising and has taken a long time to build and could be severely damaged by the same word of mouth
So as you can see I check for pure selfish reasons really but the customer benefits as well 😀