Pipes vibrating after plumber fitted pressure reducing valve

[ne0]

It depends on the size of the original bill, and whether it was just for fitting the PRV, or fitting it and then testing the whole system.

They can't be expected to have the right cartridge immediately on hand, as there are too many of them. So for this, he's done the best he can in the time available.

I'm not a plumber so I have no clue about testing the whole system after installing a PRV. That's the plumber's job and that's what I'm paying him to do. I would have happily paid whatever it cost for him to check the rest of the system complied with the new mains pressure but he neglected to even give it a second thought which is just really poor. He just fitted the PRV and left me with an unbalanced system and potential damage to my pipework.

As for the tap, that was just a side effect of the lower pressure showing up a weak part so I don't hold him accountable for that at all. But I do think it's ridiculous that now it's apparently unreasonable to expect a plumber to fix a tap properly and you just have to make do with whatever he's got on his van and still pay full price for the 'fix'?

The tap issue wasn't an emergency. If I'd known I was going to get charged full price for him to 'make do' with what he had in his van and eventually have to fix it myself then I would have insisted he went away and came back another time with the right part because then I'd happily pay for the work.

I've paid it now anyway, cba with the hassle. But I stand by that it's unfair and the expansion vessel at least should have been checked when the PRV was first fitted.

 

[Mason-]

Most plumbers or firms have a minimum call out regardless of duration. As well most taps are rated for certain pressure, it’s not their fault you adjusted the pressure and potentially went out of spec with the tap.

 

[ne0]

Most plumbers or firms have a minimum call out regardless of duration. As well most taps are rated for certain pressure, it’s not their fault you adjusted the pressure and potentially went out of spec with the tap.

I didn't adjust the pressure. They set the pressure when they installed the prv. I've already said I don't blame them for the tap at all; it's not checking that the pressure in the expansion vessel matches the new pressure they set which is the root of the problem.

The issue is now confirmed fixed after I tested it this morning, so had they checked the new pressure agreed with the expansion vessel before calling the original job complete there'd be no problem. It's akin to paying for a new tyre and the mechanic putting a new tyre on and then calling it a day without filling it with air. "Oh you never said you wanted air in it - £150 please".

 

[radderfire]

The issue is now confirmed fixed after I tested it this morning, so had they checked the new pressure agreed with the expansion vessel before calling the original job complete there'd be no problem. It's akin to paying for a new tyre and the mechanic putting a new tyre on and then calling it a day without filling it with air. "Oh you never said you wanted air in it - £150 please".

I would say you are correct really. If you are paying a plumber to fit a PRV, you would reasonably expect them to do basic checks on the system related to pressure. Really they should know this needs to be done. However, as above, if the work itemised on the original invoice was fit a PRV valve, and they did it quickly and billed accordingly, then that would also be fair, although perhaps not great service. If they weren't going to check anything else, they should have informed you and given you the chance to add this to the original work item.

 

[ne0]

I would say you are correct really. If you are paying a plumber to fit a PRV, you would reasonably expect them to do basic checks on the system related to pressure. Really they should know this needs to be done. However, as above, if the work itemised on the original invoice was fit a PRV valve, and they did it quickly and billed accordingly, then that would also be fair, although perhaps not great service. If they weren't going to check anything else, they should have informed you and given you the chance to add this to the original work item.

Exactly. The reason I'm paying a plumber is not just to do what I ask them to do. I'm paying for their advice and expertise in these things. They should have considered the expansion vessel pressure and billed me whatever they needed; can't expect the customer to know it needs adjusting.