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Original poster

WWYD? Plumber fiddled with something and broke it.

54 replies

Laiste · 18/10/2021 19:31

He was asked to come in and fix a hot tap which he did.

He decided that our hot water was too hot so took it upon himself to turn the immersion heater down and the thermo bit broke ''because it's so old''.

Now we can't regulate the temp any more. The water is not hot enough for my liking and we can't turn it up.

WWYD? I mean - who pays for the replacement/repair?

OP posts:
Changemusthappen · 18/10/2021 21:40

Hot water has a minimum temp recommendation to ensure all bugs such as Legionella etc are killed. That temp is 60-65 C.

I would be contacting him and telling him that 'it hasn't worked out', the water is now not hot enough and he needs to come back and fix it.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 18/10/2021 21:41

He decided to fiddle with it. You didn't ask him to.

He broke it.

He pays for it!

Honeyroar · 18/10/2021 21:46

The “anyway let’s see how it goes” comment suggests he’ll come back and sort it if you ask.

Ivy48 · 18/10/2021 21:46

He broke it, He pays for it! Recently had a very similar argument after a new aboiler install, they ruined my bathroom flooring and carpet. Wanted to off part of the money for the flooring! I would still be out of pocket for their mistake! They’ve now paid for the flooring and a carpet cleaner. Fight it He needs to take responsibility and fix what he’s done. You clearly told him no

latte101 · 18/10/2021 22:15

What a cheeky bastard! Absolutely he pays!

gardeninggirl68 · 18/10/2021 22:27

He needed to fix your tap.... water flow and temp is part of that and he wouldn't 'fiddle' on a whim

spotcheck · 18/10/2021 22:33

I'm hooked now. I need to know what the cheeky hit says

MrMrsJones · 18/10/2021 22:37

Me too

Original poster
Laiste · 19/10/2021 14:11

Really interesting stuff thanks everyone.

So: my message sent last night reads

''Hi [name],
I'm really not finding the water hot enough after last week i'm afraid. I like it pretty hot as no dishwasher and loos and kids and elderly (ect) Would you be able to come and mend or replace the immersion please? Thank you v much.''

I have chickened out of mentioning blame or payment in the message Blush i thought i'd cross that bridge when i'm forced over it i come to it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Laiste · 19/10/2021 14:12

Watchingyou2sleezes that is utterly heartbreaking :(

OP posts:
Original poster
Laiste · 19/10/2021 14:12

He hasn't answered yet by the way.

OP posts:
TheFlis12345 · 19/10/2021 15:07

You have been too nice and left too much room for him to say no as he is too busy or try and charge you for it!

simitra · 19/10/2021 15:12

Give him a date by which he has to fix it at his cost. If that fails call another plumber. Sue him for the cost of replacement plumber.

Lougle · 19/10/2021 15:20

That text sounds like you're asking him to do another job, not that you're asking him to rectify a mistake.

LIZS · 19/10/2021 15:41

Agree with pp, very wishywashy. Not sure I get your explanation re dishwasher, kids and elderly either. (dishwashers fill from cold and heat up the water internally). More like "Unfortunately since your visit the hot water has not reached a satisfactory temperature. Please advise when you will be able to return to rectify in the next week."

KevinTheKoala · 19/10/2021 15:56

I was just about to mention the tragic case of the baby being killed, it is very important to have a working thermostat on the hot water supply and there is a maximum temp that water should go up to as well. The plumber who broke it needs to fix it.

bedbathandbeyond · 19/10/2021 16:07

This should have been your message:

You need to come and fix the dial that you broke on the thermostat as the water is not heating up to an acceptable level.
I need it done this week please and I expect not to be charged for it either.

Coulddowithanap · 19/10/2021 16:37

@Laiste

Right i'm preparing a message to him!

No UseTheRakeDear i haven't. It's comfortably hand hot out of the tap.

Might be worth checking the temperature. Comfortably hand hot to me is scalding hot for DH.
junglejane66 · 19/10/2021 16:40

Thermostats in hot water tanks fail quite often. If its an old one and it fails in the on postion the water will just get hotter and hotter, v dangerous a per PP. The new thermostats have a safety device so if it fails it can stay on. It would have failed at some point, I'd rather have a newer, safer one fitted, especially with kids and olds living in the house. Hot boiling water can kill

They cost less than £20 and take 10 mins to fit. I'd offer to pay for the part and him do the labour for free. If you start say he has to do everything for free you'll never hear from him again, and good luck in court

Original poster
Laiste · 19/10/2021 19:10

Thanks again everyone.

LIZS the thing about no dishwasher - 6 of us live in this house and if the washing up is particularly greasy it's horrible standing trying to wash it all by hand in not very hot water. If you've got a dishwasher you can just bung it all in on a hot wash.

I agree my message was not very assertive. I don't want to go in too hard though as we live in a small village and this plumber is also the kids party DJ, the bar keep at the football club, the provider of beer at our festivals and part time sport coach at the school Hmm He's everywhere ...

OP posts:
Original poster
Laiste · 19/10/2021 19:10

He still hasn't answered ...

OP posts:
Griselda1 · 19/10/2021 19:31

It wasn't fit for purpose so I'd pay for it to be replaced.

Mamamamasaurus · 19/10/2021 19:43

@Griselda1

It wasn't fit for purpose so I'd pay for it to be replaced.
It was absolutely fine until he fucked about with it, despite the OP saying it was fine.

OP there's a good, assertive response further upthread, use that. Something low "you need to return and fix the part on the immersion heater that you broke....."

Mamamamasaurus · 19/10/2021 19:43

@bedbathandbeyond

This should have been your message:

You need to come and fix the dial that you broke on the thermostat as the water is not heating up to an acceptable level.
I need it done this week please and I expect not to be charged for it either.

This. All the way.
TrollsAreSaddos · 19/10/2021 21:01

I would have sent a message similar to the one you sent OP. Some of the ones suggested by other posters sound pompous and arsey. If I was the plumber and received one like that you would never hear from me again.
I'd offer to pay for the part too.

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