Internal Condensate Pipe - Poorly Installed.

I'm not happy with the current condensate drain pipe.

Whoever installed it did not do a great job. It is currently all flex and was held in place, at an angle, by a bit of string. It was also too long and seemed to cause the condensate to drain poorly. This boiler seems very sensitive to ensuring the condensate drains with very little resistance.

So I want to swap out the flex hose with a hard PVC waste pipe which can maintain it's fall and be a bit more robust.

From what I have read on the forum, the current connection (A) is liable to get blocked with fat. Indeed, when I cleaned all the pipework out....it was indeed a bit blocked up.

Red line is the current path of the flexi-hose (not as taught as that).

So, what alternative connections could/should I use and where are appropriate locations?

There may not be enough pipework in position (C) as it has a connection there already. See alternative angle.




(alternative angle)

I then would route it like this...



Which then joins up to the boiler....



With the final connection currently being (that gas pipe is in an annoying position, the flexihose may need to go past that)



If that initial flexihose is fixed to the boiler internally. What is the best connection to join PVC pipe to the flexible hose for that initial connection?

Finally, is there any reason to avoid doing this and jus stick with the flexihose as is?

As well as looking better, I assume that rigid PVC pipe is a better method of draining and more permanent.

Thanks...

The condensate pipe is directly connected to the flue system and as such should only be worked on by Gas Safe Registered engineers. Rigid pipe is certainly preferable to that washing machine hose setup.

dishman said:

the current connection (A) is liable to get blocked with fat

Click to expand...

Only if fat is poured down the sink ...

yes, hard pipe is the correct way to run that, certainly not with appliance drain hose like.

As @muggles suggest though, it is considered part of the boilers flue system and ideally should be installed by a GSR engineer.

muggles said:

The condensate pipe is directly connected to the flue system and as such should only be worked on by Gas Safe Registered engineers..

Click to expand...

Bah....does that apply even if I only work on the flexihose that connects external to the boiler....so leaving the first small section in situ?

If so....I understand.

It is due for a service anyway. I just thought the risk was pretty minimal and I would be doing it properly.

Even though it seems I may not be doing this myself, if a GSR did the work, what is the most appropriate connection to the drain pipework? Should they make the connection that goes internal to the boiler all rigid? Or is that first section always a bit of flexi-hose?

I did forget to mention there is another drain connection. The dishwasher drain normally goes in this position.


It can be seen on the far left with a green end.

Madrab said:

it is considered part of the boilers flue system and ideally should be installed by a GSR engineer.

Click to expand...

When does a waste pipe stop being considered part of the boiler?

At the sewage pumping station.

JohnD said:

When does a waste pipe stop being considered part of the boiler?

Click to expand...

My understanding is when it transitions usually after an air gap. It's more for safety though, if during a DIY fix the condensate pipe was pulled out or the trap was put under stress then it's better that a GSR engineer is there to fix that issue.