Blooming Boiler!

[Goofyish]

Our boiler has failed to burst into life again - as it always does this time of year!

Our usual plumber has retired to Cornwall so we had to find another one. I found one advertising in the local free paper. His advert stated he was CORGI registered and when I rang him he said he fixed boilers.

When he turned up he took a look at our boiler and then said he didn't have the right CORGI registration to mend our boiler and left! I could tell by the way he looked at the boiler his real reason was he didn't had a clue how to fix it! (I did check to see if he left on a horse!)

I have another plumber cooming on Friday - hopefully he will know what he's on about!

 

[WDWfan uk]

When I saw the title of your thread Tim I thought ...... not again! i hope you get it sorted out quickly....... it's cold!
Why not call British Gas?

 

[Janice]

What Boiler do you have Tim? If the guy said he couldn't fix your type of boiler, or have the qualifications, then you should notify CORGI.

The different elements that would call for specialist training is if your boiler is run on LPG or if maybe it's a Combination Boiler which does require specialist knowledge, but not qualifications?

If you would prefer to email me, I would try to see if I can help at all?

 

[athurstance]

I really know how you feel, Tim. We're just going through the same saga.
Our central heating didn't work so we called out a man we were recommended. He couldn't fix it but he knew a man who could - oh yeh! He sent round some total idiot who not only couldn't fix it but left it in a worse state and disapeared for 4 days.
Finally I called a company in yellow pages who sent out a nice man who has fixed it temporarily - so my kids can now have warm baths and I am not shivering. He has promised to come back tomorrow to do the proper repair (fingers crossed).
The idiot engineer finally rang a week later to say he'd do the job now - no you won't we said. He couldn't seem to understand that at all although he may be a little wiser after a rather heated exchange with DH.
What is it with these people? Touch wood we have finally discovered a decent heating engineer but the rest of them were just clowns.

Janice - interesting what you say about Corgi as I am tempted to contact them about the engineer who claimed he was registered but couldn't possibly have been. Where do you check this out?

Angela

 

[Sue's Mum]

Ooh, shiver-me-tim-bers! Hope is sorted quickly. (sorry, there wasn't a smilie for "cold" so "cool" will have to do).

 

[Goofyish]

Janice,

It's a GlowWorm Economy 50FF (Fanned Flue). The chap said he only hard part of the CORGI registration - he went on about how much registration cost...

I could tell by the blank look on his face though, that he didn't have a clue!

There are 3 things which seem to go wrong with our system:

1. The pilot jet keeps blocking
2. The flue fan sticks (a quick burst of WD40 solves that one)
3. The 3 way zone valve sticks

My money is on the pilot jet being blocked. I've checked the pump is running, the pilot ignition is sparking, all thermostats are calling for heat, the controller is ON, and the zone valve seems to be OK.

 

[Janice]

Hi Tim - yes, had a word with Chris and he said it sounds like a blocked Pilot or you may need a new Thermocouple Lead. These are about £5 and any engineer should be able to rectify your problem.

We have a client that has that boiler and we service her boiler religiously every year and she always insists that we fit a new Thermocouple lead even though it doesnt always require it!

Funny.........it isnt the Registration that's the expensive part, it's getting the qualifications to do the work! For example, our registration fee is something like £400 per year (it goes up more for each employee you have ~ if you are a 'one man band' then I think it's about £150) but you have to have ACOPS (It has a newer name now and for the life of me cant think of it at the moment) and it depends on which elements you want to work in, as to what Parts you have to have. We do work in all types, Central Heating Boilers, LPG Boilers which covers Caravan & Boat heaters, Cookers and Domestic Appliances. There are about 13 Exams that you have to take - in fact James is at college this week renewing his 1 to 5 which covers the basic Central Heating elements and this has cost us over £900.00 for four days!

However, without them we wouldn't be legal to do the work we do.

It is a catch 22 situation for people I realise, but if guys are installing and servicing boilers without the proper qualifications it makes a mockery out of those of us who pay to get them.

~Sorry~ didn't mean to get on a soapbox!

Angela - if you are ever unsure about someone, Phone Corgi, or look on their website - the do fine and de-register people all the time.

If you need anymore help or info just ask

 

[Goofyish]

Our boiler is now fully working and we are enjoying a lovely warm house again.

Janice,

We were correct, it was the pilot jet that was blocked. According to the boiler engineer who came out it is a common problem on this type of boiler - especially if it's not been used for a few months like ours. He had quite a job unblocking the jet (whose holes are so small!). After the aid of a pin and some fuse wire he managed to get it unblocked.
Unlike the previous chap, this one knew what he was doing and so we have decided to get a maintenance contract with them to do our gas fire and boiler service every year.

 

[Janice]

Glad you've got it sorted Tim - not nice to be without a functional boiler when the weather breaks!

A service contract is a good idea ~ at least you know that when the service is carried out annually it'll pick up on any possible defects, and any problems between appointments, at least you have someone reliable and that you trust to know what he is doing to call upon

Chris has just left home to go on yet another call for a defective boiler! That makes about 8 this week! Considering we don't advertise, because we are Contractors, that is a lot of calls! Apparently Corgi are giving out our details as we have Registration for LPG and that is a common Fuel around here, that and Oil!