How long should plumbing and heating system last

[Maitri]

Bought a new build last year, 2nd buyer, first buyer sadly died within a year, he had bought from new July 2008, therefore we are now out of the 2 year builders warranty and into the remaining 8 years NHBC which doesn't cover plumbing . Phase 1 of this build consisted of 12 houses, 2 are still to be sold, 4 have had no plumbing problems (plumber plumbed 4 then wasn't paid by builder and things when downhill). All 6 of remaining properties have had plumbing problems from Day 1, leaks baths / showers / toilets / radiators / boilers losing pressure. The plumber re-plumbed the first house of the 6 sold because there was a leak below floor level, builder's new plumber said it was easier to re-plumb than try to find the leak . (Original plumber now out of business). Currently we have been without hot water or heating for 12 weeks as we had the system insured with D&G but they found the boiler full of sludge and swarf which indicated to them that the boiler / system had not been commissioned from new and told us to go back to the installer. We know that 3 of the 6 boilers on the estate constantly loose pressure which seems to imply problems. (Doesn't appear to be any Benchmark Certificates but NHBC said there must have been otherwise they would not have passed building regs via NHBC). All of this raises issues in relation to Consumer Law, such things as 'fit for purpose' 'durability' etc.. So has anyone any idea if the industry has any guidelines for how long a consumer should be able to expect a plumbing / heating system to last? There seems to be two Q's here 1. whether a plumbing and heating system could ever be considered 'fit for purpose' etc if there is evidence that from day 1 that a leak below floor level would result in expensive and disurptive repairs or a potential replumb? (No access to underfloor joints). 2. whether a plumbing and heating system could be considered 'fit for purpose' if from day 1 there is evidence of constant leaks and subsequent damage to flooring / floor coverings etc. In other words how many repairs a year would the industry believe would be acceptable to the consumer as a result of using plastic rather than copper? We lived in our last house 34 years and never had any leaks we certainly didn't feel we had to worry about what would flood next! Thanks for your help

 

[plumber0808]

properly installed, commissioned, ongoing inhibitor treatment it will last for years.
unfortunatly new builds prices pay so poorly that decent engineers will not consider it unless there was no other option/ no work.
ending up with engineers doing the work for poor pay meaning you have to bash them in so fast to make half decent money.

 

[furniss567]

decent engineers will not consider it unless there was no other option/ no work.

so true i moved into a new build house and being gas registered myself the 1st thing i checked was the boiler, the ideal icos flue was 200mm away from extractor vent, told the builders barratts whos "gas engineers" said i was wrong and didnt know what i was talking about, building inspector also had passed it, they eventually came back with it was a design error! a plumbe deflector was fitted, ideal still said it wasnt to there instructions so they came and move the vent away as it should have been in the 1st place. as i look around the site i can see at least 10 others exactly the same! how do they get away with it?

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

decent engineers will not consider it unless there was no other option/ no work.

so true i moved into a new build house and being gas registered myself the 1st thing i checked was the boiler, the ideal icos flue was 200mm away from extractor vent, told the builders barratts whos "gas engineers" said i was wrong and didnt know what i was talking about, building inspector also had passed it, they eventually came back with it was a design error! a plumbe deflector was fitted, ideal still said it wasnt to there instructions so they came and move the vent away as it should have been in the 1st place. as i look around the site i can see at least 10 others exactly the same! how do they get away with it?

you paid for a house with a icos fitted????????????i would have wanted money off just for that,200mm from a extractor and they said you were wrong? that subtlety that fanned flues from any opening must be 300 mm min or mi,s

 

[furniss567]

you paid for a house with a icos fitted????????????i would have wanted money off just for that,200mm from a extractor and they said you were wrong? that subtlety that fanned flues from any opening must be 300 mm min or mi,s

yes i was wrong and there boss even turned up to look and admitted it was wrong after a long argument, blamed the lads as he said but if that is the case why are they left alone if there not competent. i hate ideal products but plan on removing soon with a greenstar and a solar panel set up.

 

[paulnwales]

i think id be more worry'd about the rest of the house, i.e areas your not that hot on.. if they pass such obv faults , what else do they allow??

 

[dontknowitall]

Did you use a surveyor in the buying process as it seems as if things were missed before you moved in.

 

[furniss567]

i think id be more worry'd about the rest of the house, i.e areas your not that hot on.. if they pass such obv faults , what else do they allow??

i dread to think, only been here a year and allready ripped out 1 bathroom and that was patched together

 

[furniss567]

i did yes but his report came back fine!