Water in oil tank?

E

elainem

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Recently bought a house in Dublin. 1960's ex council property. My current neighbours who are Polish, one of whom is a plumber, have been doing work the house. They put in new oil boiler, now there seems to be endless problems which they need to fix. The first is that, from what I understand, there was water in the oil tank, and they had to drain off the water. They now suggest that the water is getting in through the vent, and the whole tank needs to be replaced as it is not possible to seal the vent. They say that although they have drained off the water from the tank, the oil in it would not be really good oil, and might damage the burner. I thought that if there was water in the oil, the boiler would not work at all, and it is working perfectly. The second thing is that they say that two of the radiators are not working, and they think there is a kink in the pipes in the ceiling or the floor. They said they will rod the pipes to see if they can find the kink, if not they will have to cut the floor and celinings open. I know they are very short of work at the moment, but I wondered if I was being conned? Any advice greatly appreciated.
 
elainem said:
Recently bought a house in Dublin. 1960's ex council property. My current neighbours who are Polish, one of whom is a plumber, have been doing work the house. They put in new oil boiler, now there seems to be endless problems which they need to fix. The first is that, from what I understand, there was water in the oil tank, and they had to drain off the water. They now suggest that the water is getting in through the vent, and the whole tank needs to be replaced as it is not possible to seal the vent. They say that although they have drained off the water from the tank, the oil in it would not be really good oil, and might damage the burner. I thought that if there was water in the oil, the boiler would not work at all, and it is working perfectly. The second thing is that they say that two of the radiators are not working, and they think there is a kink in the pipes in the ceiling or the floor. They said they will rod the pipes to see if they can find the kink, if not they will have to cut the floor and celinings open. I know they are very short of work at the moment, but I wondered if I was being conned? Any advice greatly appreciated.
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I have the same thought as everybody else out there, make a call to a plumber you know and have them check it out.
 
Water in your oil may cause you problems, if it gets to the point where the burner pulls in the water from the tank, most tanks are installed slightly sloping away from the draw-off point to allow for some water in that tank to settle at the back (remember oil floats on water) you can test the oil yourself, go to your local plumbing shop and as from so water testing paste (put it on a long stick and dip it into the bottom of your tank, it changes color is water is present)

Lets say there is a lot of water, contact your oil supplier, he will know of someone in your arean to clean and de-sludge your tank (some will do it for you)

When getting anyone to work on your oil supply or boiler/burner, ask are the OFTEC approved, at least this will give you some degree of confidence that they know what to do.

As for the radiators not working, I assumed they drained your heating system (ie. all your rads) when changing the boiler, when the refilled the system they have air-locked a few rads (they maybe drop fed or something) and are not capable of removing these airlocks (kinked pipes - no way!)

As for using non-trained guys for this type of thing there is mutiple essential tasks they never bother to do.......

1) when they fit the new boiler, they never flush the system
2) they never add inhibitor to the new water (leading to your system starting to rust from the inside out!!!!)
3) they do not have the equipment or the knowhow to commission the boiler as per manufacturers instruction (bet your load they haven't got a flue gas analyser) leading to your shiny new boiler warranty being void and the possibility of your boiler generating carbonmonoxide and running at low effieciency (again bet they didn't even install a condenser boiler as per current regulations, which would have save you buckets on your fuel)

bottom line here is, get a good plumber or oftec registered installer to do
it. It will save you in the long run.

As for forcing these guys to fix your now non-working rads, they have a DUTY OF CARE to put it right
 
Hi! everyone, thanks for the replies. I'm going to give them the info. here and say a plumber friend of mine gave it to me and looked at the system. They are my immediate neighbours in the midlands where I live so I don't want to fall out with them. I feel very vulnerable when it comes to plumbers etc. as I am a woman on my own, and feel that they might sometimes use this to their advantage. The guy who is actually doing the work is a qualified plumber, polish, and working for a dublin firm. However, he has come to me several times looking for jobs recently for himself and his friends, as some of them have been let go, and he is about to be let go next month due to downturn.

They also did work on a shed, converting it to a room, which is now leaking everywhere from the ground, so generally upset about their work, though they did an ensuite which is grand.

Really hate dealing with builders etc!!
 
A qualified plumber would have those rads working in 30mins flat!

When looking for plumbers/builders etc, always look for references, and make sure you ring the referees and follow them up, or ask around your neighbourhood for some recommendations....

As for them comming to you door looking for more work, I would NEVER do business on my doorstep, and would turn away ALL workmen that come looking in that fashion.....

As for the problems with the plubing and your leaking conversion, tell them they MUST come put it right at THEIR COST and if you get any hassle, seek legal advice on 'DUTY OF CARE' under this matter, you will be 100% in the right, dont be afraid as your on your own, ask a local recommended plumber or builder to come on site and meet them with you for backup, there is some decent guys out there that will surely help you in this regard......where are all the white knights!

I know 'safetrader.ie' are soon to go nationwide and it may be a good source for you to find reliable tradesmen to do work for you in the future
 
DGOBS said:
I know 'safetrader.ie' are soon to go nationwide and it may be a good source for you to find reliable tradesmen to do work for you in the future
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Hi DGOBS,

Thanks for all the helpful advice for Elaine. Can you confirm though if you have any association with safetrader.ie

Thanks,

Sue Ellen.
 
Hi Sue Ellen,

I do 'advertise' my business with safetrader alright, but do not work in that area of for them, so of no direct benifet to myself, just letting this woman know there is places out there to go to safeguard somewhat that you do hire someone with a reputation for quality workmanship as these type of sites do expect you to present qualifications and jobs they can inspect before they allow you to be listed with them, if it make any difference I can also suggest....

for oil use OFTEC
or checkout boilerjuice.ie
for gas use RGI
look for something like 'guild of master craftsmen'

only trying to help
 
Hi Elaine,

I had a case last year where a boiler wounldn't fire. I had been told they just got a full tank of oil. When I bled the oil line there was water in it. Water and oil doesn't mix so even the untrained eye can spot it. Have you anybody who could open you oil tank and get a sample in a clear bottle?
If there is water in it, the tank will have to be emptied and refilled. In the case I was involved there was no way water could have gotten into the tank because of the amount of water involved. I spoke to the oil supplier and said the problem had to be at their end, surprisely there was no argument and they duly emptied and refilled tank.
I would tell your plumber you are getting in a burner specialist.

Once your burner is back up and running, turn off all radiators e(from one side only) except for the two that are not working. This will encourage the flow of water to be pumped to these two only. If it is an airlock this will help clear it. Also check that both valves are open on these radiators.
Best of luck.
 
Hi! everyone, thanks a mil for your replies. Dgobs, I'm going to contact one of the plumbers registered on safetrader.ie tomorrow. Couldn't find any listing for oftec registered plumbers/techicians in West Dublin area. Wondered also if any of you know o an oil supplier in this area.

Guy came looking for the remainder of his money tonight. Gave him €2,000 for cost of boiler. Asked him to change tank in attic and put extra supports in roof (as per survey), so €3,000 outstanding. Said I couldn't agree to pay him the remainder of themoney until all the radiators were working, and until I had everything checked by an oftec registered plumber. Went away very, very annoyed. Said he would 'try' to fix the radiators.

I currently live in the midlands and he is my direct neighbour, but don't want to be taken for a fool either.

He never mentioned the garage conversion.
 
elainem said:
Hi! everyone, thanks a mil for your replies. Dgobs, I'm going to contact one of the plumbers registered on safetrader.ie tomorrow. Couldn't find any listing for oftec registered plumbers/techicians in West Dublin area. Wondered also if any of you know o an oil supplier in this area.
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You may find Primo (Jones Oil) or Olympic Oil to be good in West Dublin area.
 
There is an Oftec guy not far from west Dublin, based near Tallagh, Eammon O'Brien, you'll find the list of oftec guys on www.oftec.org including him
 
Hi! Suellen and Dgobs, managed to get the problems sorted. Had local plumber in, who fixed the radiatorsin 30 minutes!! He said there was no problem with the oil tank, and sealed the area around the vent where the others said water had been getting in. However, have now discovered other work on the house which these guys were supposed to do, but didn't do - another post!! Thanks again.
 
I would be grateful for any ideas on how to nail them - between the ashphalt roof that they said they did, but just painted, and my garage conversion I must be down about €8,000. It's hard to believe that they are my immediate neighbours where I currently live, and that their daughter plays with mine.
 
Did you recieve a written quotation for the work detailing what works were to be included for price? and did you recieve an invoice?
Even if you did, it is a civil matter and would go through the courts. If the judge was to award you x amount, if the guy doesn't have it.,you won't see it.

you may have some chance of recoverey if he is insured.
 
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