Why dose draining down sometimes cause leaks on parts you have not touched?

[the_d_o_t]

Hi
as the title says, drained down a system via radiator drain off, replaced radiator...
gone to fill up now the isolation valves on the boilers CH return are piddling out

but trying to explain to the customer that we haven't touched them is going to be a tricky one...

what reason would this be to make them understand?

thanks Nick

 

[the_d_o_t]

i said "when systems are under pressure the seals and washers are also under pressure, if you then take away the pressure by draining down, the washers and seals go into a relaxed state and if there old they may leak once put back under pressure again"

think that sound about right, but if anyone could add to that?

 

[JCplumb]

Sounds alright to me.
This is one of those things that we understand but customers don't.
Like when you close the stopcock to do a job and it starts to leak when you open it up again.

 

[plumben]

If you've drained down already should be easy to fix anyways,

This is why I always leave a little extra in the price or give a between X and Y price for the unseen that usually will go wrong

 

[dean.diy]

S_o_D_s Law.

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

If they are part of the boiler then it's a quick conversation with the custard and a replace, if they are just carp balafix valves then I'd drain down again and remove them with no extra charge, shouldn't take long and put it down as a job that didn't earn but one that just made wage!?

 

[gassafe]

If they are part of the boiler then it's a quick conversation with the custard and a replace, if they are just carp balafix valves then I'd drain down again and remove them with no extra charge, shouldn't take long and put it down as a job that didn't earn but one that just made wage!?

No way... Why should this guy take responsibility!?

If you go to a garage & they find faults or whatever it's all extra! Same as are game, it's leaking, not the ops fault so he should repair & charge extra!

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Because if I can do it and not lose its good service, if I need to order parts it's extra!

Depending on the job I'm charging day rate anyway!

 

[Matt06]

I agree with CH4

If they are a pain then I would charge extra

If they are reasonable people and it wont cost me much

As they are more likely to recommend me

 

[gassafe]

Well if there nice & simple I would too, but not if there built into boiler, or if I just refilled with inhibitor & am ready to leave lol!

To be fair to the op I would refill & blast with heat, that sometimes reseals bits!

 

[the_d_o_t]

it was coming out of the bit you turn on the iso and was on a worcester 24cdi.... where the boiler needs removing not to mention the custom build cupboard that is fit tightly around the boiler.

but like gas safe said, once more pressure was toped up and heat it seamed to slow down to a slight drip so i added some leak sealer and told customer to keep a eye on it and let me know.

we cant take resposibillity for everything on a customers system, given the fact that the boiler is probably 15- 20 years old.