At My Wits' End With Building Work

[chanel5]

We recently had a two bedroom flat renovated by a local builder. New kitchen and bathroom, and old Economy 7 heating system taken out and replaced by oil fired heating.
Since then, nothing but trouble with the electrics. The fuse and trip keep blowing. Builder called back several times - sent in plumber to examine the work. First, said it was an air lock in the system causing the shower to shudder and trip the electricity. Then said it was poor water pressure causing the shower to fail. Eventually daughter's boyfriend opened up the shower and found that a fitting screw had been driven through a cable.
Shower was replaced but electrical problem persists - fuse has now not only blown again but has completely disintegrated.
I have lost all faith in the builder. He has been called back several times, told us he has consulted electrician, but didn't examine the installations adequately, didn't identify the obvious problem with the shower and cannot tell me why the trip and fuses keep blowing.
Does anyone have any ideas of what we can do? The builder has not given us a certificate of electrical safety for the work done. Who can we contact about this? (Northern Ireland)
Thanks in advance for any advice.

[murraymints]

you really need Builder for this one, he will be along later , usually t time..will point him here when I see him..hope you get it all sorted soon...

[Smowball]

Yep agree with Minty. He'll give you the best advice x

[chanel5]

Many thanks

[TWR]

If he's been paid to do the complete job including the Electrics, he should be the one to sort it out, other than that I would advise him that if he can not sort it, you will get one in that will & get a Cert, that's important for your home insurance.

[trt]

Chanel,

I think you should stop letting the builder do any more bodging and tell him you are going to the Trading Standards.
Lots of info below.

http://www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/

[chanel5]

Thank you again. Going to contact Trading Standards about it.

[TWR]

Chanel, I would give this person a week to sort this issue out before T.S. Is contacted, if the builder agrees, I would also state for the Inconvenience I would expect a large amount of discount, you have the ace card regards his reputation, your recommendation would go a long way of putting this builder out of business, I think you know what I mean by that!!

[Ryzen]

As far as i'm aware Northern Ireland does not run any Part p building regulations, registration schemes and the electrician has only to be considered 'competent'.Certification seems to be optional..:-).
Bite the bullet and get it checked out by a good electrician...if you can find one.

[The Builder]

Sorry that I've only just seen this, chanel5.

If the MCB (breaker) is cutting out, then it's a short circuit problem. Somewhere, the live and neutral are shorting together. (I doubt if this is an overload, which would have the same result.)

If it's the RCD tripping, then it's an earth fault (live cable is shorting to earth, or the neutral cable is doing so.)

A little bit of simple fault tracing is needed. Any half decent electrician would be able to locate the fault.

Your problem is that you do not have a competent electrician on the job.

The only answer is to ask around for someone who really is competent, I'm afraid.

[The Builder]

Also, I should have added that juddering showers and water pressure have nothing to do with it.

[murraymints]

been waiting to point you here builder..lol....xx

[The Builder]

Thanks Minters. Somehow, I missed this yesterday. Thanks for the mention though :o)

[murraymints]

my hero ! lol x