• Looking for a smarter way to manage your heating this winter? We’ve been testing the new Aqara Radiator Thermostat W600 to see how quiet, accurate and easy it is to use around the home. Click here read our review.

boiler service - flue check

H

huwy123

Joined
2 Oct 2008
Messages
129
Reaction score
4
Location
South Glamorgan
Country
United Kingdom
Hello,

I had my boiler serviced today as part of my boiler maintenance contract.

After the engineer left I received an electronic proof of service that states...
"The flue pipe is working properly. This makes sure the boiler has the right amount of air and gets rid of gases safely. It also stops any carbon monoxide leaking into your home."

Given the engineer didn't go outside to look at the flue pipe, I am sceptical this was done. Can you check a flue from the inside? If not, I am minded to complain.

Cheers,
H
 
Probably just done via a flue gas analyser, which is acceptable, however, the flue must be inspected to ensure it's correctly fitted, sealed, etc, and there's no building attached, eg a conservatory, make shift lean to, which entails going outside. Unless of course you're a high rise flat?
 
How on earth can you service a boiler and carry out all the required checks in 20 minutes?
 
Depends a bit what sort of boiler/ flue you have. If it's an elbow off the top of the boiler straight through the wall then they'd poke the analyser in where the little screw cap thing is, and look at the number, look outside, done.
If it's an open flue with a flue pipe going up through two floors and the loft then it's a different thing altogether, but those have nearly all gone now.
Other checks would be boiler specific but often don't amount to much. If the guy had done them on the same boiler model a couple of hundred times then it would have become automatic. If there were a routine weak part, on the model, he'd have it with him in case, etc.
There's no call to routinely take things apart to brush out etc. Activities like that are more likely to cause leaks and use gaskets for no purpose. "the numbers" tell him it's ok. It's mostly inspection. He won't fix leaks that aren't there.
The list is tiny compared with say a car MOT.
Do you have a "magnaclean" type thing?
There's not even a requirement to check for gas escapes, though that only takes a couple of minutes (plus accessing the meter behind your four hoovers and two ironing boards under the stairs.)
That blurb about the flue is sort of making a point that he had to use a flue gas analyser. OOOh technical, expensive, see... (Like MOTs EGA)
 
They didn't look at the meter either as well as not looking outside.
Its a combi boiler worcester 42 cdi if I remember correctly. It is indeed an elbow then straight through the wall. No magnaclean-type thing
 
huwy123 said:
They didn't look at the meter either as well as not looking outside.
Its a combi boiler worcester 42 cdi if I remember correctly. It is indeed an elbow then straight through the wall. No magnaclean-type thing
Click to expand...

I would expect a drop test, to at least check for gas leaks/gas soundness, done at the meter.

The Magnaclean, is a sort of filter, which is fitted in the radiator/heating circuit, to prevent metallic debris entering your boiler, and blocking it's fine water passages. A good idea to have one installed, but - it is debatable, whether even a proper boiler service might include checking/servicing that, or checking the pressure in the system, or the expansion vessel.

What I would expect from a proper boiler service, is...

1. The boiler covers removed, possibly check/clean the combustion chamber, clean out the condensate system.
2 Check, maybe replace igniters, temperature sensors.
3. Check expansion vessel (ev) if in the casing.
4. A gas soundness test.
5. A flue gas analysis.
6. A check on the flue.

Your 'service', was obviously nothing more (if you were lucky) than - item 5, and maybe checked there are no case leaks. A basic, rather pointless, meaningless - safety check.
 
Just found this on the corgi homeplan website... Looks like he should have looked at the radiators also

Annual boiler service​

  • The Annual boiler service does not form part of the insurance contract
  • A visual check of the boiler
  • The boiler being fired safely to identify any working faults
  • A flue gas analysis efficiency test
  • Opening up the boiler and inspecting it, if necessary
  • Checking the flue and ventilation are in accordance with Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations
  • Checking and adjusting the system pressure
  • Cleaning the condensate trap
  • Visually checking and bleeding radiators, if necessary
  • A visual check of the hot water cylinder
  • Confirmation in writing that the service has been carried out
  • Cleaning of the boiler’s filter (if you ask us to)
 
huwy123 said:
Just found this on the corgi homeplan website... Looks like he should have looked at the radiators also

Annual boiler service​

  • The Annual boiler service does not form part of the insurance contract
  • A visual check of the boiler
  • The boiler being fired safely to identify any working faults
  • A flue gas analysis efficiency test
  • Opening up the boiler and inspecting it, if necessary
  • Checking the flue and ventilation are in accordance with Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations
  • Checking and adjusting the system pressure
  • Cleaning the condensate trap
  • Visually checking and bleeding radiators, if necessary
  • A visual check of the hot water cylinder
  • Confirmation in writing that the service has been carried out
  • Cleaning of the boiler’s filter (if you ask us to)
Click to expand...

Yep, that list describes a proper service. Get on the phone to them, and raise hell.

The point of a service, is to prevent breakdowns, and help prolong the service life of your system.
 

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

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Baxi boiler flue
Replies
6
Views
1K
bengasman
B
B
worcester 37 cdi service
Replies
3
Views
752
billy_smith
B
M
DIY extension of Boiler Flue
Replies
13
Views
15K
oph
O
S
Boiler test point cap missing
Replies
3
Views
6K
Deleted member 267285
D
Donald_diy
Boiler flue accessible ?
Replies
7
Views
2K
Donald_diy
Donald_diy
Back
Top