Water Pump Malfunction

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Water Pump Malfunction - CGA Rights?

outdoorsnz

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#214027 24-Apr-2017 15:50

Hi all,

My water pump had a major melt down over the weekend. Went out for about a hour and when I got home, could hear running water outside. Basically pump got that hot, it had blown / melted a big hole on the inlet side of the water pump. Sorry no pics as now with pump supplier.

Background on setup.

I have a approx. 2000L water tank which is fed by a low pressure feed system. This is connected directly to my water pump which supplies the whole house.

This was installed about a month short of 2 years ago. There were a few issues with old pipes leaking under the house at the time, but that was all fixed up and pump has ran as it should, doesn't turn on and off frequently, only turns on when you turn a tap on. Note. Pump is just inside of their 2 year warranty period.

The pump was around $1500 give or take. So not a cheapie. LINZ brand I think with a fancy controller that didn't do the job.

So called a local plumber (I live out of Dunedin, to far for original to come out, cost of travel etc) today and he popped straight out to setup a loaner. So fine for now and grateful to have running water again. Boiling and lifting water out of tank gets annoying quickly.

When I dropped off the pump they told me it would be caused by either a power surge or a piece of grit causing valve (I think) to not shut off.

They phoned me back and said they couldn't fault the pump, and probably was caused by a fault at the house. Maybe a pipe leak he said or a very slow leak such as a toilet leaking.
So I think they were referring to dry running.

$221 to fix. But maybe a waste of money if exactly the same thing happens again!

Since spoke to original plumber and have asked him to call supplier and see what the story is. Both original and local plumber were both surprised at what happened and the likely cause.

What are my rights under the CGA? If they say product can't be faulted, then what do I do? I'm thinking as they can't provide a cause, then I should be entitled to full replacement!

Appreciate advice on this.

Thanks

Regards

Scott

Jase2985

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#1769860 24-Apr-2017 16:02

buy you havent eliminated your house as the cause of the issue have you?

outdoorsnz

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#1769865 24-Apr-2017 16:08

Jase2985:

buy you havent eliminated your house as the cause of the issue have you?

Well as I mentioned, the water pump was working as you would expect. It switches off after you turn the tap off and doesn't turn on at all when tap is off. Also replaced toilet fill thingie at the time.

Dynamic

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#1769868 24-Apr-2017 16:13

I think you'll need to take professional advise from someone experienced in the plumbing trade and with pump experience. If both the original and the new plumber think the pump company are spinning you a load, then try the CGA route. Might need to take a trip to the Disputes Tribunal if they won't come around to your point of view but you are prepared to hold your ground.

Does the manual say a filter must be installed before the pump (to prevent the grit issue)? If yes and you or the plumber failed to do this, then it's on you and you'd need to take the installing plumber to task (possibly via Disputes Tribunal).
If the issue was a power surge, I think that would have caused the electrics side of the pump to fail, not the mechanical (water) side.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

outdoorsnz

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#1769877 24-Apr-2017 16:40

Dynamic:

I think you'll need to take professional advise from someone experienced in the plumbing trade and with pump experience. If both the original and the new plumber think the pump company are spinning you a load, then try the CGA route. Might need to take a trip to the Disputes Tribunal if they won't come around to your point of view but you are prepared to hold your ground.

Does the manual say a filter must be installed before the pump (to prevent the grit issue)? If yes and you or the plumber failed to do this, then it's on you and you'd need to take the installing plumber to task (possibly via Disputes Tribunal).
If the issue was a power surge, I think that would have caused the electrics side of the pump to fail, not the mechanical (water) side.

Will see what original comes back with, but prepared to fight.

Was only left with the pump controller manual. And yes agree, surge would have knocked controller out. This was still working.

Aredwood

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#1769979 24-Apr-2017 19:15

Fault was definitely caused by the pump running continously without any water flow. This causes the pump head to overheat. So definitely some sort of controller failure. It won't be a fault in the house. As even 1litre per min would most likely be enough flow to stop the pump overheating.

outdoorsnz

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#1770750 26-Apr-2017 16:15

Aredwood: Fault was definitely caused by the pump running continously without any water flow. This causes the pump head to overheat. So definitely some sort of controller failure. It won't be a fault in the house. As even 1litre per min would most likely be enough flow to stop the pump overheating.

Thanks for your great comments. I get the feeling, they can say it is an external problem... Add any common reason. Case closed. Now taking advice from consumer nz.