Lagging for an external condensate pipe

[Alan 483256]

As suggested, exterior grade Armaflex will last a long time and would be a proper job, albeit isn't cheap.

I've been looking at Armaflex, and both Class 0 & 1 specs say they need to be painted or covered for UV protection.
I might just try getting the normal stuff again and painting it.

 

[denso13]

I've been looking at Armaflex, and both Class 0 & 1 specs say they need to be painted or covered for UV protection.

Yes, the HT one doesn't.

 

[Pete the Feet]

My boiler just dumped the water this morning at 6am. Twice its done it now and both times during a cold snap. I'm hoping its just the condensate pipe.

 

[Phil473]

Our condense pipe is from a pump, going through the wall to a gutter that leads to foul waste.

I wrapped several layers of thermal wrap around it with aluminium tape, as its too awkward to fit standard pipe lagging. Took care to make sure the insulation meets the wall, and the tape blocks any ingress.

Looks funny, but has done the job at -3C with windchill. Cost £10 materials, with plenty leftover.

 

[JohnD]

My boiler just dumped the water this morning at 6am. Twice its done it now and both times during a cold snap. I'm hoping its just the condensate pipe.

"Dumped" from where?

The pressure release pipe? Or leaking condensate?

 

[Pete the Feet]

"Dumped" from where?

The pressure release pipe? Or leaking condensate?

I'm assuming the pressure release as I had to top up the water. The thing is it lost pressure when it was outside of the start time. It could have been the frost protection kicking in. There was no sign of a discharge from the pressure release pipe but it may have cleared up by the time I looked outside. All good this morning.

 

[denso13]

There was no sign of a discharge from the pressure release pipe

Tie a clear bag over it and you can check for evidence, in case it happens again.

 

[Madrab]

The thing is it lost pressure when it was outside of the start time.

Watch the system pressure when the boiler is running, does it climb up over 2.5bar?

 

[Pete the Feet]

Tie a clear bag over it and you can check for evidence, in case it happens again.

Will do, or I have put a bit of kitchen roll in the pressure relief pipe in the past.

Watch the system pressure when the boiler is running, does it climb up over 2.5bar?

I'll let it cool and down and check thanks.

My theory was that maybe the condensate pipe was freezing up which caused the boiler to overheat and the relief valve let out all the pressure from the wet side of the boiler. Feel free to correct me on this assumption. I just hope its not the heat exchanger that's buggered again.

 

[Madrab]

the relief valve let out all the pressure from the wet side of the boiler.

The only reason the Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) should lift, if working properly, is when the boiler pressure rises to >2.5bar, at that point the PRV valve will start to lift to release the excess pressure. The only reason that a sealed systems pressure would normally rise to that level is when the pre-charge pressure in the Expansion Vessel is either lost or if the feed to the vessel is blocked.

That is then shown by an excessive rise in pressure, hence why to monitor the pressure when the system heats up. A frozen condensate wouldn't have any effect on the systems pressure.

 

[gas112]

The only reason the Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) should lift, if working properly, is when the boiler pressure rises to >2.5bar, at that point the PRV valve will start to lift to release the excess pressure. The only reason that a sealed systems pressure would normally rise to that level is when the pre-charge pressure in the Expansion Vessel is either lost or if the feed to the vessel is blocked.

not strictly true failure of the gas valve / thermostats and other components can keep a boiler on in fault condition causing the pressure to rise as expansion vessel cannot accommodate the amount of expansion from the heat being generated