Unreachable condensate pipe
- Thread starter HilaryTip
- Start date
Sponsored Links
I think this really shows the difference between the jobs where someone has chucked a boiler on the wall, (possibly the cheapest quote), and someone who has put a bit of thought into the job, and designed a system where the condensate is either run internally, or is protected as much as possible against freezing.
I know this will be of little joy to anyone sitting in a cold house, but hopefully it'll get the message across that the condensate drain is also a vital part of the installation and its worth asking the installer what the plan is for it when looking at a new boiler, or looking at a property with an existing boiler installed.
Shoving boilers in lofts to save space is fine, until this happens, then the whole installation is then at risk as the frost stat is irrelevant, due to boiler not being able to function as condensate drain is frozen...
I know this will be of little joy to anyone sitting in a cold house, but hopefully it'll get the message across that the condensate drain is also a vital part of the installation and its worth asking the installer what the plan is for it when looking at a new boiler, or looking at a property with an existing boiler installed.
Shoving boilers in lofts to save space is fine, until this happens, then the whole installation is then at risk as the frost stat is irrelevant, due to boiler not being able to function as condensate drain is frozen...
- Joined
- 26 Aug 2016
- Messages
- 6,833
- Reaction score
- 1,010
- Country
Not much lagging on those pipes even indoors, I assume that's been corrected since?
Sponsored Links
Yes all done, think it's 13mm.
- Joined
- 26 Aug 2016
- Messages
- 6,833
- Reaction score
- 1,010
- Country
Better than nothing, that's classed as "economy" grade because it doesn't meet any regs
AKA loft heater! Something else to add to my job list.
Is there a plastic soil (vent) pipe passing anywhere through your loft space Buxus?
I suspect that there are a few bodge jobs in the house my son bought. However they see a bit stuck for choice in the price range and location and, in time, it’ll be a very nice home. They had someone out and he wouldn’t climb a ladder either (restricted space and too windy) so they’ve cut the pipe inside pending a longer term fix when weather improves.
Have you considered an Ice valve? I believe you can get these in hardware stores and you seem to have room to install one inside.
Have you considered an Ice valve? I believe you can get these in hardware stores and you seem to have room to install one inside.
Is that like the CondenseSure that Worcester Bosch offer?
There is a soil stack within 4m but it terminates below loft height, could I route the condensate internally in the loft, exit then angle into the soil pipe below the AAV?
Yes indeed.
I've had a pipe burst in a loft in exceptionally cold weather. Loft insulation keeps the house warm and the loft cold.
I am a householder not an installer, but when I had my boiler replaced I took care to have it mounted on the kitchen wall next to the sink and the plumbing stack, so the condensate could go into a standpipe directly below, and plumbed into the indoor soilpipe.
My neighbour ended up with the condensate pipe running nearly horizontally along the outside of his kitchen wall. It could have been run under the sink if the installer had been willing to get on his knees and put it behind the kitchen units.
I most certainly would! I'd also remove any insulation immediately below the new run, and then box it in, with insulation above and around the pipe, which should virtually guarantee it not to freeze in future. To be honest, I am amazed the installer didn't consider that option in the first place, rather than running externally as in your pic!
I haven't read the whole thread, but I assume someone's tried a hair-dryer on an extension lead tied to drain rods to get it up high.
This problem of external condensate pipes is huge. I hadn’t realised that the external pipes were such an issue. My most recent installation is external but larger diameter and while near a sink, there’s no internal route to the waste.
My local council have published advice to tenants about dealing. With frozen heating pipes. There was even something related on the one show.
My local council have published advice to tenants about dealing. With frozen heating pipes. There was even something related on the one show.
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
Sponsored Links
