Do I Need to Pay for Labour to Replace One Month Old Bunnings Kitchen Tap That Has Rusted?

The Project on 22/09/2023 - 18:01
Last edited 22/09/2023 - 18:17 by 1 other user

Hey fellow OzBargainers, I'm just after some advice and borrow your wisdom.

I bought a Mondella kitchen tap from Bunnings about a month ago and paid a handyman to replace our old one. However, a month later, it has started rusting near its base - definitely separate from the main sink. Photo

I have the receipt and I anticipate there will be no issues with refund/exchange.

However, the issue is getting the tap off and replacing it - is there any way I can get Bunnings to organise this on my behalf?

I feel this is an unnecessary additional expense and it should be reimbursed in some form.

Or am I just being too idealistic and I'm just going to have to swallow a bitter pill?

TIA!

Home & Garden Kitchen Taps

Comments

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 22/09/2023 - 18:08
    +12

    I'd be surprised if it's the tap that is rusting, as they are usually made of a plated brass. The rust is most likely from your sink.There is probably a leak at the connecting point with the tap.

    • The Project on 22/09/2023 - 18:10
      +1

      I'll post a photo up - you be the judge

    • HeWhoKnows on 23/09/2023 - 08:40
      +9

      Besides replacing such taps is very easy.
      You just need:
      1) Tap spanner to remove the nut that secures the tap to the sink (if its not already included with the tap).
      2) Correct spanner size or adjustable spanner to remove the flexibile hoses

      So OP can remove it and take it to Bunnings themselves.

      NOTE:
      Bunnings kitchen taps have gone downhill badly over the last few years to the point they are terrible quality, You read so many complaints in thier reviews - so best avoided!

      Id suggest getting an Ikea Lagan kitchen tap in future as they come with 10 year warranty and include the tap spanner
      https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/lagan-single-lever-kitchen-mixe…

      • infinite on 24/09/2023 - 22:51
        -2

        Ikea taps are the exact same rubbish, made in the same factories in China.

        OP would still have the exact same issue if he'd purchased one of them.

        • HeWhoKnows on 27/09/2023 - 08:11

          You have just shown to everyone here that you have absolutely NO IDEA mate
          NO IDEA at all.

          I have purchased and fitted both (years ago and recently) so I know a lot more than you do.
          (I dont buy Bunnings taps any more)

          and here is a tip for you.
          Almost everything is made in China.

          So according to you….
          your TV, stereo system, washing machine, dishwasher, kitchen appliances, hand tools and powertools, clothes, underwear and everything else are all rubiish..right?

          • infinite on 29/09/2023 - 22:51
            -2

            @HeWhoKnows: "I know more than you do"

            ……….. says the clown buying taps from Bunnings and Ikea

            • HeWhoKnows on 02/10/2023 - 22:53

              @infinite: You just insulted 95% of OBs mate.
              keep it up and you will be banned from here

      • globalmurphy on 01/10/2023 - 22:07
        +1

        ikea will pay for your plumber to replace the tap if it breaks before the 10 years

        • Jackson on 01/12/2023 - 10:33

          Wow, that's something

  • brendanm on 22/09/2023 - 18:09
    +1

    Post a picture.

  • The Project on 22/09/2023 - 18:14
    +2

    I hope this will work!

    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/412399/106740/photo_22…

    • brendanm on 22/09/2023 - 18:39
      +9

      You sure that's rust? Has old mate who fitted it tightened the braided hoses into the bottom of it correctly? You can also just undo it and remove it yourself if you do need to return it, it's an extremely simple job, and a valuable skill to have.

      • The Project on 22/09/2023 - 19:11
        +1

        It definitely looks like rust to me. I can't comment on the handyman's work but there's no leaking at the base of the tap.
        I agree that it probably is a simple job (based off what I saw on youtube) but something I unfortunately don't have the time nor tools to do at present

        • brendanm on 22/09/2023 - 19:14
          +17

          The tools (likely a 10mm spanner, one may have even come with the tap), are far cheaper than paying someone to remove and refit another one. It is probably a 10 minute job. You also have this skill for life, so no longer have to rely on others to do basic tasks, it's an investment in your future.

          Have you attempted to clean it with jif or similar?

          • The Project on 22/09/2023 - 19:19
            +1

            @brendanm: You raise a fair point - thanks mate.

            Yes have tried to clean it thoroughly without success

            • brendanm on 22/09/2023 - 19:26
              +9

              @The Project:

              Yes have tried to clean it thoroughly without success

              That's pretty poor if it is actually staining after a months use, I'd probably try to go for a different brand if possible.

              You raise a fair point - thanks mate.

              Actually I lied, you will probably need a shifter/adjustable spanner as well.
              Switch off water at mains. Open taps up to relieve pressure. Put an Tupperware container or similar under the spigots that come from the wall/up from the slab. Use shifter to undo hoses at spigots. Depending on tap design, you can then undo the nut holding the tap to the sink on the underside. If you can get to this, you may need to take the hoses off at the tap before you can get access to it. The nut and a retaining plate will come off. Then lift the tap off out the top.

            • foxmulder on 08/11/2023 - 07:17

              @The Project: Have you tried using a steel ball?

          • IM-Cheap on 23/09/2023 - 23:16

            @brendanm: This - learn basic home maintenance early in life and you will save $ in the long term. So many tradies have a minimum price/call out that makes for expensive small jobs.

      • Hirolol on 23/09/2023 - 07:48
        +4

        100% it’s rust
        It’s failed at the corner

        • brendanm on 23/09/2023 - 10:12
          +1

          What has "failed"?

          • kiitos on 24/09/2023 - 10:33
            +4

            @brendanm: Its ability to stay rust free.

          • knk on 25/09/2023 - 09:19

            @brendanm: Likely adhesion of the plating / protective layer. It's allowing water to get beneath it which will then cause it to rust from the base of the material out.

            If you hit it with some steel wool and brasso I imagine it'll clean up, but it's gonna keep happening and needs to be replaced.

  • holdenmg on 22/09/2023 - 18:27

    Was the Handyman from Bunnings?
    https://www.bunnings.com.au/services/in-home/tapware-shower-…

    If so, just contact them for a swap over.

    • The Project on 22/09/2023 - 19:07

      No, I used someone else - I didn't even know they offered that service, otherwise I probably would have used them

      • Unacceptable on 22/09/2023 - 19:34
        +1

        How much did you pay for the installation?

        • The Project on 22/09/2023 - 19:36
          +10

          $150 haha - need to return my ozbargain badge

            • brendanm on 22/09/2023 - 23:07
              +22

              @frugalftw: Why on earth would the handyman fix it for free? They were paid to fit a supplied tap, they fitted it. Job complete.

                • brendanm on 23/09/2023 - 09:12
                  +13

                  @frugalftw: They didn't demand anything. They gave a price to fit one tap, one time. It was agreed to. The job is complete.

                    • brendanm on 23/09/2023 - 10:12
                      +15

                      @frugalftw: You honestly have no idea. The handyman did not make the tap. He has completed his task. It is done. Finished.

                        • jrvb42 on 23/09/2023 - 12:21

                          @frugalftw: Not sure what the supply/demand ratio is like in your area, but I'd guess most places have a shortage of tradies, meaning they can pick and choose and don't really need your referral or blessing.

                          This might change if immigration is curtailed, the house building industry goes into decline and/or pigs are fuelled ready for flight and/or Satan skates to work because hell has frozen over. ;)

                        • brendanm on 23/09/2023 - 14:54
                          +2

                          @frugalftw:

                          Do you understand how handyman get jobs?

                          Do you understand how handyman get money? (sic)

                          By charging for services rendered. Driving back to ops house and removing the tap for free, then driving back there again to install it for free, is how you lose money.

                        • spaceflight on 24/09/2023 - 13:38
                          +1

                          @frugalftw:

                          Do you understand how handyman get jobs? Or anyone in the service sector, in general? It’s through referrals

                          You must be an influencer and expect evening for free!

                        • chris666 on 27/09/2023 - 19:23

                          @frugalftw: What fantasy world do you live in

                • badg3rz on 23/09/2023 - 13:03

                  @frugalftw: No handyman, nor a plumber, would go back and undo it for free, the job is complete/installed/finished under what the work was needed, to install a tap. However, how it was installed was leaking, DUE to if it was incorrectly installed/fitted as to the specifications of the instructions.

                  A plumber would probably charge more anyhow. You're talking about a call out fee, time and cost, and a licence to carry out the work which a handyman can do it simply as a plumber is not required for this sort of job.

          • Mike444 on 23/09/2023 - 00:14

            @The Project: How did you find the handyman? I looking to get into this kind of work on the side.

            • The Project on 23/09/2023 - 06:11
              +1

              @Mike444: Mate I highly recommend it. It took him like 10 mins and it looked as simple as that youtube clip someone else posted up here. He was gonna charge me $200+GST but ended up $150+GST with cash. You’ll become rich in no time

              • frugalftw on 23/09/2023 - 06:38

                @The Project: It’s literally that simple. I learned to do it myself too. Just need to get some wrench and spammers.

              • jm7 on 23/09/2023 - 07:12
                +10

                @The Project: You paid cash AND GST?!

                • BeamMeUp on 23/09/2023 - 08:48
                  +6

                  @jm7: No he paid cash plus a bit more cash.

                • SpainKing on 24/09/2023 - 19:19
                  +1

                  @jm7: Government's gonna be delighted when the $15 comes at tax time

              • johnno07 on 25/09/2023 - 06:21

                @The Project:

                It took him like 10 mins and it looked as simple as that youtube clip someone else posted up here

                So why didn't you do it?

          • bulletbill88 on 24/09/2023 - 20:56

            @The Project: Sucker tax. Changing tap is an easy job. Watch a YouTube video if you aren’t confident and save money.

          • knk on 25/09/2023 - 09:22
            +1

            @The Project: Honestly you can't come out and replace something without charging this much or more and still be profitable. Different industry but I don't leave the house for $150 in IT and I need a lot less tools / ongoing expenses / insurance costs / registrations than a licensed plumber does. This isn't because I'm making money hand over fist or tooting my own horn, just that it's simply not profitable to drive somewhere, perform any amount of labor and make only $150 unless it's in a 10 minute radius of me.

  • trapper on 22/09/2023 - 18:27

    Where is the water coming from?

    • The Project on 22/09/2023 - 19:09

      I suspect it was from external splashing from doing the dishes? I'm not sure.
      There is certainly no water leaking from the base of the tap if that's what you're inferring to

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 22/09/2023 - 21:22
        -2

        It's stainless, not stainnever.

        If it pools water there then there it won't prevent rust.

  • screensaver on 22/09/2023 - 19:45
    -2

    isnt there a governement program to replace taps

    • The Project on 22/09/2023 - 19:52

      Is there? I would definitely benefit from it!

    • knk on 25/09/2023 - 09:24

      generally these have a reason behind them, ie replacing an unlimited flow tap with one which has flow restriction to save water.

      OPs tap is new and will fit whatever new criteria were already around, should they be in an area this program runs.

  • big1964 on 22/09/2023 - 19:45
    +1

    I would suggest you contact mondella directly just google them they would like to know what happened maybe a bad batch of taps?I am pretty sure that you need a licensed plumber to install the tap (proof) it would say in the instructions that came with the tap. Good luck

    • The Project on 22/09/2023 - 19:52
      -1

      Unfortunately didn't use a licensed plumber :(

      • xuqi on 22/09/2023 - 20:20
        +3

        https://www.kineticsourcing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/0…

        Warranty shall be void for the following reasons:

        2

        Plumbing products not installed by a licensed plumber.

        You'll find this as a condition of warranty in most (if not all) such products sold in Oz.

        If unhappy with it, remove from installation, take back to Bunnings for refund or exchange with something else, but I wouldn't expect Bunnings to now pay for a licensed plumber to come and exchange it for you.

        • The Project on 22/09/2023 - 20:35

          Thank you

        • spaceflight on 25/09/2023 - 01:28

          Warranty shall be void for the following reasons:

          That's only applicable to the express warranty, not the statutory warranty

  • lunebyes on 22/09/2023 - 19:48
    +4

    If you had paid for a trades person to supply and install the tap and it failed them you should be entitled for them to come and replace it without charge.

    However because you decided to buy the tap and arrange the install yourself then Bunnings is only required to replace the faulty product. The installation is nothing to do with them.

    Also since you paid for a handyman to install it rather than a licensed plumber then you have likely voided the warranty. However I imagine if you take it back into store they would replace it without asking any questions.

    • The Project on 22/09/2023 - 19:55
      +1

      Bother! It actually would have cost me exactly the same for me to ask the trades person to buy it from Bunnings on my behalf (they would have charged the same but obviously got it at a cheaper price than me using PowerPass) but I wanted to have a look at the range of taps in store in person.

      What you say sounds entirely reasonable - thanks.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 22/09/2023 - 21:05

        they would have charged the same but obviously got it at a cheaper price than me using PowerPass

        Wow

      • Heaps for Cheaps on 23/09/2023 - 04:34
        -3

        A lot of tradies just knock stuff off at Bunnings so they would have a 100% profit margin.

      • knk on 25/09/2023 - 09:25

        obviously got it at a cheaper price than me using PowerPass

        You're lucky they're only charging you bunnings retail. They're not even covering their time to pick it up.

  • bmerigan on 22/09/2023 - 21:49
    -1

    Installation costs are on you. All warranties say so.

    • The Project on 23/09/2023 - 06:11

      Cheers mate

    • Punkboy on 23/09/2023 - 09:47
      +1

      That is wrong. The ACL makes provisions for exactly this scenario.

        • Punkboy on 24/09/2023 - 23:39

          Yeah that's why it's best to ask Bunnings or mondella to do it. Others have mentioned they send their own plumber

    • globalmurphy on 01/10/2023 - 22:08

      ikea pays installation costs if their tap breaks before warranty period ends

  • Rako on 22/09/2023 - 22:31

    Could it be something like a bit of steel wool or a bit of metal caught in the join that's rusting and not the tap?

    • The Project on 23/09/2023 - 06:12

      Yeah I thought so too but definitely the tap

  • GordonD on 23/09/2023 - 07:43

    It doesn't look like rust to me.

    Someone's going to look really foolish if they make a big fuss and it isn't.

    Perhaps first that person ought to have a word with whoever installed it to see if there's anything else it could be.

  • akyeeeahdude on 23/09/2023 - 08:18
    +1

    Depends on the manufacturer of the top - I bought a Methven tap that had issues straight out of the box (yes, I a licenced plumber fit it and realised something was wrong). Spoke to Methven, they also spoke to the plumber, then Methven sent out a plumber, at their cost, who was able to fix it. Not surprised as Methven taps are reasonably expensive.

    That being said, I bought a DETA external power point from Bunnings recently and after my electrician fit it, he discovered one of the outlets was faulty. He said to just buy a new one and then get Bunnings to refund (meaning I'd still have to pay him for a second service call) but I called DETA and complained and they arranged for an electrician to come out to replace the power point, at their cost. Not bad considering the DETA external power point was only about $20.

  • 2esc on 23/09/2023 - 09:12

    I would say its actually not rust colour maybe but the way it has formed no. The only way to know for sure is to remove it and look. Maybe plumber didnt clean old thread well enough and this stain/rust is residual from previous tap.

  • BeamMeUp on 23/09/2023 - 09:15
    +2

    Just DIY and change it. The YouTube video above is very good at showing the process, its really easy and you will learn some basic plumbing that will be super helpful for the future.
    The money you save will cover the cost of some basic tools that you maybe dont have.

    • Cheaplikethebird on 23/09/2023 - 09:20

      Yeah I know nothing about plumbing and I swapped my tap over the other day after watching a Youtube video. You're literally just unscrewing a couple connections and screwing the new one in. Hardest part is finding where to turn the water off from.

  • frugalftw on 23/09/2023 - 09:44
    +2

    It looks like an o-ring issue from inside the tap. It’s either not sitting properly or old stock and degraded fast. You’ll need a small hex thingy to take the handle apart to replace the o-ring. Or take off the tap and swap for a new one at Bunnings. Either way you’d have to get your hands dirty for 30 minutes. Send the photo to the handyman and ask what happened also could work. One month is not a long enough time for a tap mixer to malfunction, and bad installations can’t kill the o-ring, if I’m guessing correctly that is. The ACL still applies even if it’s off the books handyman work.

  • Abbycat on 23/09/2023 - 11:42

    Email the store with photo and explanation like you have here. Most likely the store manager will issue you a gift voucher as well as replacing the tap.

    • Tee Rex Arms on 23/09/2023 - 14:10

      Lol there is exactly zero percent chance of that happening.

      • Abbycat on 24/09/2023 - 13:45

        Why do you think that? I work there, it's exactly what we do.

  • Kaz0551 on 23/09/2023 - 13:38
    +1

    I had a fancy white tap ($800) that got some rust. Bunnings contacted the supplier who sent a plumber to come and replace it. Free of charge.

  • AuQld on 23/09/2023 - 22:36

    Have you tried removing the rust, vinegar will dissolve it over night then scrape it off with a knife. Spraying some wd40 will protect it also.

  • justgooddeals on 23/09/2023 - 22:47

    Just as an aside to anyone reading this in the future.

    Ikea offers 10 year warranties on their kitchen taps.

    This includes removal of old damaged tap and install of new tap purchased from them.

    https://www.ikea.com/au/en/files/pdf/fb/ea/fbea06fa/ikea_kit…

    Won’t help OP but may help someone else

    • greater mimic on 24/09/2023 - 08:37

      I can't find it in there, but does the tap need to be installed by a licensed plumber to not void warranty? I'm pretty sure I'll have no problem installing it but it seems like a dangerous game not having warranty on a tap looking at reviews

      • justgooddeals on 24/09/2023 - 20:47
        +1

        No it doesn’t need to be installed by licensed plumber. I installed the original tap purchased from them myself. Was told to buy a replacement ikea tap mixer contact a plumber of my choice. They would cover labour installation costs of the new replacement tap up to $150 and refunded the full purchase price of the old tap

        Simple

  • AustriaBargain on 23/09/2023 - 23:22

    Did you get it wet?

  • Thaal Sinestro on 24/09/2023 - 03:27
    -2

    A Bunnings product failing after 1 month. Why am I not surprised? Cheap junk with massive markups is the Bunnings way. Yet the masses still continue to venerate Bunnings.

  • tightdesibanda on 24/09/2023 - 13:54
    +1

    I was in a similar situation but I removed the tap myself and took it in for a replacement. The front desk crew did the same thing saying that I had to contact mondella first and the tap had to be installed by a licensed plumber etc.

    I checked the relevant legislation for NSW and changing a tap is not considered "plumbing work" requiring a licensed plumber and can be carried out by the homeowner. Showed this to the Bunnings manager and they ended up agreeing and putting through the exchange YMMV.

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