Defective product

Questioner

Less than three years ago I had a new bathroom installed. The bathroom parts (shower, radiator etc.) were ordered from a supplier and installed by a contractor. Now the bathroom radiator has started to leak due to rust formation at the bottom. I contacted the supplier about this and, based on two photos I provided, they assessed that this was the result of incorrect installation by the contractor. I contacted the contractor for this and, based on the same photos, they indicated that this could not be the result of incorrect installation but was the result of a defective product. Both parties indicated that the other party should call in a specialist to dispute their own assessment. And I, as an ignorant person, am caught in the middle. Since the products are not yet three years old, I assume that this falls under the supplier's warranty (10 year warranty issued). Can you advise me on this matter and what logical next steps should be followed? How can I get out of a dispute about debt between supplier and contractor? Thank you in advance,

Lawyer

It seems strange to me that it is possible to see from photos who is at fault. As you have described the situation, it seems to me that the supplier is the party that should first look at the situation to see if there is a defect in the product. If that is not certain, it cannot be said that the fault lies with the contractor. After all, if the product is defective, it cannot (in principle) be the contractor's fault. In addition, the supplier will probably not agree with the finding of a contractor's investigator that the supplier's product is defective. You have a guarantee so the supplier will have to prove that something else is wrong. You can point out their obligation to the supplier and request in writing to investigate the situation. Please feel free to contact me via my profile if you have any questions or require legal assistance.