Rust around bath taps

[cunder1]

Hi all, looking for some advice. We had a bathroom fitted in June last year (moved in around 3 months later) using Wickes - fittings bought through them and then used fitters sourced through Wickes. We have noticed some rust around the taps which we've brought up with Wickes customer service - who have said we've damaged the seal by cleaning the taps and bath (!!!). We have only used standard bathroom cleaners eg Flash, Cif.

They have offered to replace the taps as a gesture of goodwill. Which we are not that happy about as we will still need to get them fitted and something done about the rust on the bath.

Does anyone have any advice on whether this is a reasonable response from Wickes?

 

[HERTS P&D]

Pictures please.

Andy

 

[Madrab]

If the rust isn't from the taps (they should be all chromed brass) and it's the bath rusting then it may be nothing to do with Wickes IMO. Unless of course you can prove that the bath finish was sub standard and there wasn't anything you did that would promote that rusting process.

If the installers didn't ensure that the tap holes were sealed properly then you may have a case with them (the bath holes should have been properly enamelled) but even then it may be a difficult case to prove.

 

[cunder1]

If the rust isn't from the taps (they should be all chromed brass) and it's the bath rusting then it may be nothing to do with Wickes IMO. Unless of course you can prove that the bath finish was sub standard and there wasn't anything you did that would promote that rusting process.

If the installers didn't ensure that the tap holes were sealed properly then you may have a case with them (the bath holes should have been properly enamelled) but even then it may be a difficult case to prove.

Finding it a bit difficult to know what we should have done in terms of cleaning as there are no instructions on the product page!

We got the fitter round to look who said we should take it up with Wickes.

Pictures attached

 

[HERTS P&D]

Go back to Wickes and kick up a fuss.

Andy

 

[cunder1]

We've gone back to say we want them to pay for the new taps to be fitted and any cleaning/repair to the bath - presumably a bath shouldn't start rusting within 6 months even if you were throwing neat bleach on it every day (which we weren't).

 

[HERTS P&D]

Go to Wickes head office, contact your local newspaper.

Andy

 

[cunder1]

Wickes have agreed to provide replacement taps and arrange for them to be fitted, but they sent us a sink tap instead of bath tap (another replacement is on the way)
As there is rust on the bath already, will they be able to do anything to remove it?

 

[HERTS P&D]

Ask them to sort out the rust. They can treat it and hopefully hide it under the tap or I would be asking for a new bath.

Andy

 

[Stivino]

We've gone back to say we want them to pay for the new taps to be fitted and any cleaning/repair to the bath - presumably a bath shouldn't start rusting within 6 months even if you were throwing neat bleach on it every day (which we weren't).

If it's rust it must be a steel bath. And, if it's a steel bath it will be enamelled. That being the case, you can't put bleach anywhere near it.
A bath that shows signs of rust isn't fit for purpose imho.

 

[Madrab]

The other view to that would be that the installers chipped the enamel when the tap was being fitted, could be a hard one to prove TBH. Could descend into a each blaming the other.

Would be a pretty easy DIY repair. When the tap is out, polish the area with rust using some white colour cut or plain T-Cut, that should lift the mark quite easily. Apply some Kurust (other treatments are available) if tou want Then get some white enamel/nail varnish and seal up the internal ring of the tap hole edges. Should seal it up quite nicely.

Then get the installer to be careful fitting and put a small fillet of silicone around the tap hole(s) when fitting.