Boiler - help!

[Louisa]

I called out a boiler engineer earlier today because I had a leak from the back of my boiler. On inspection he told me the back plate had corroded and would be unlikely to repair, and even if it did it would not necessarily repair the leak. He suggested a replacement boiler at a cost of ?1800. I'm not an expert at all when it comes to this sort of thing and I take these suggestions blindfolded. Any plumbing experts here able to offer me advice? Would I be better off going to British Gas for a second opinion? Stuck! (This is Louisa admitting defeat).

Louisa.

[Loz]

1) If it does need replacing, ?1800 isn't too bad a price.

2) BG do not have a good reputation at this sort of thing

3) I've always found these guys to be pretty reliable - http://www.stevenson.uk.com/

[Alan Medic]

Were you happy with your choice of boiler engineer in the first place? British gas may feel like the BBC of boilers, sort of, but I think they would probably be more expensive than a local engineer. There's nothing to stop you shopping around for a boiler yourself and pay for it to be installed.

I know nothing about boilers I should add.

PS They do have a lifespan and if it's quite old it may be worthwhile to replace it than repair it, it that were possible.

[dbboy]

BG idea of checking the back plate is to stab it repeatedly using a screwdriver to see if it is corroded and then say you need a new boiler if the screwdriver goes through, resulting in you paying for it not them having caused the breakage.

Are you sure its the back plate and not the boiler drain plug that has come loose?

[Salsaboy]

Do you want another boiler mans number? If so PM me and I'll let you have my man.

BG are using Worcester Bosch boilers at the moment but I wouldn't trust a BG fitter further than I could throw him to install it correctly.

[Louisa]

Thanks everyone for advice. Salsaboy I've PMed you. Loz I've also rang up the number you supplied and waiting a call back they seemed decent enough. The boiler itself it still functioning currently but there is a constantly minor drip at the back so I've put towels to cover the area. BG were very helpful on the phone but they wanted the best part of 2500 for a replacement boiler, I hung up the phone.

I'm not sure if it's the drain plug or both the back plate and the drain plug hence the plumber telling me the leak may well return? I wish I knew more about this stuff.

Louisa.

[Alan Medic]

I've used Peter Bennison in the past via recommendations from the forum. Do a search of his name if you want another option.

[tiddles]

second pete bennison - absolutely brilliant and has saved two of my friends an awful lot of money when someone else told them they needed a new boiler. (they didn't and he fixed it)

[simonethebeaver]

Did ?1800 include labour? I've just had a new Worcester boiler fitted for ?1500 including labour.

[bvas]

Hi I have 4 plumber to have a look my boiler and one told me I need a new boiler second I need a new pipes from boiler to the kitchen sink then I have found from my friends plumber his name is Bob working on gas and water,boilers.

He find the problem very easy it was the broken valve.wen he do his plumbing looking so easy very professional and fast

His name is Bob 07876684441 and the price is reasonable.

[ianr]

Bob (actually Bojinko) has his own company, BVAS Builders and Plumbers Ltd, set up in 2012, of which he's the sole director, and is indeed a Gas Safe registered engineer, the sole one registered for his company. His company website can be accessed via http://eltham.inuklocal.co.uk/tradesmen/builders/bvas-builders-and-plumbers-ltd-121212.

I'm not keen on its corporate-like talk, especially for what is probably a small business (its registered address is a house in a residential street), or the predominant use, even in the Gallery, of bought-in stock photographs. I don't know who persuades people that this is the sort of website they ought to have, or that self-recommendations (I assume bvas is Bob) are a good idea. They create for me almost the opposite of any well-intended impression. I hope and trust that good craft and trustworthy practice can still sell themselves, through genuine personal recommendation.

[intexasatthe moment]

Actual Gas are brilliant - 07841866330 . Very professional and not a trace of being patronising .

And Peter Bennison also excellent .

[Loz]

Tut tut - I think BVAS/Bob has been found out. I must admit, the posting history was suspicious (3/4 recommending 'Bob'), but I think ianr has nailed him.

Naughty, naughty.