Rad rusted through

[sotal]

We had an extension built 3 years ago.

As part of this we had 2 radiators installed - one went where one used to be and one went in the new area.

The one in the new area has been fine but the one that was replaced has rusted through.

When the radiators were added, inhibitor was added to the system.

Is there any reason for this? My guess is that it was cheap crap steel but I just wanted to make sure before replacing it.

The annoying thing is that the other radiator was a cheap £50 one and this one was an expensive 'designer' radiator.

We first noticed something last year as it had a small rust mark on the right side and started to dribble. It was the end of winter so I just turned it off at the time, with the plan of looking at it when I got a spare minute or two. Now that we need heating again I've had to take a look at it again and found the entire right hand side to be rusty, the paint just peeled off.

I can order another and would prefer another designer radiator but don't fancy changing it every two or three years. Some of the others in the house are over 40 years old.

Thanks

 

[terryplumb]

Did it rust through to the point that it leaked,or the outer paint just failed and the exterior started to rust ?

 

[sotal]

Did it rust through to the point that it leaked,or the outer paint just failed and the exterior started to rust ?

It started with a pinhole leak with a little rusting around it, I would presume that it rusted from inside to out.

The point where it leaked wouldn't get hit by anything as it was recessed in.

We don't put anything on this radiator, we don't dry clothes on it etc, it just heats the room.

 

[Madrab]

Poor quality steel, a lot of these 'designer' rads are really crap quality and if there was a flaw in the casting then that's what can happen. Wouldn't be the first time I've seen that.

 

[terryplumb]

I once fitted a so called "designer rad", brand new, for a customer, one of 3,that had a pin hole leak as soon as it was filled. Italian made and they were not cheap.

 

[sotal]

Poor quality steel, a lot of these 'designer' rads are really crap quality and if there was a flaw in the casting then that's what can happen. Wouldn't be the first time I've seen that.

That was my suspicion, the only positive I could give it quality wise was that it was heavy. Externally it all looked good but didn't like the best inside. I think it had a 25 year warranty but I can't find the paperwork now and I'm betting they would wriggle out of it anyway.

I'm tempted to buy a very similar one in the hope that it would fit directly in place with minimal effort to install, but I don't fancy replacing it every couple of years.

 

[dilalio]

I think it had a 25 year warranty but I can't find the paperwork now

Can you look through your statements? Usually they only need proof of purchase.

A lot of them are badly made then flogged on the Internet. They are not radiator manufacturers.
Loads of them arrive with a load of rust already rattling around inside them.

 

[roguetrader]

A lot of designer rads and towel rails are manufactured in china, left bare, sit on pallets outside in all weather's, in yards, ready to be shipped.
They get shipped over, blasted and painted.
They don't always get all the rust off the outside, let alone the inside.

 

[sotal]

I've managed to find the purchase details now. It says it has a lifetime guarantee. I have emailed the company and will await their excuses!

 

[fixitflav]

I've managed to find the purchase details now. It says it has a lifetime guarantee. I have emailed the company and will await their excuses!

Whose or what's lifetime? If it's the rad's it has already expired.

 

[sotal]

Whose or what's lifetime? If it's the rad's it has already expired.

I am honestly expecting some kind of response like that!

 

[Notch7]

Plumbers love fitting designer rads

 

[dilalio]

Plumbers love fitting designer rads

If only you knew.