Leaking flue in loft

[Davidandkeiley]

Hi I'm after a bit if advice. When I was up in the loft the other day I noticed that the insulation was soaking wet under the boiler flue. After a bit of looking around I noticed that there was was water dripping from the bend on the flue where there is a connection. Could anyone tell me the cause of this? As you can see by my pictures it's obviously been going on for a while.(moved in a year or so ago). I am am actually thinking of having the flue removed and having it vented thru the roof instead of the current set up where it goes the full width of the house is this the best option
Many thanks
Dave

 

[ianmcd]

That is clasified as "immediately dangerous", you must turn your boiler OFF and dont use it until it has been rectified , nothing you can do yourself

 

[Dangee]

I’ve never seen anything like it!!!
The thing is , that’s cost a fortune.
Change to vertical, through roof.
Almost certainly illegal due to length of run, seals are leaking probably due to incorrect fall on pipe & clipping. Flue gases could be mixing with clean air. Wow.
.......Why...........
was there a gas certificate involved with the sale/rent if house?

 

[Davidandkeiley]

Many thanks for that will get it looked at ASAP.
I'm almost certain we had a gas safe certificate when we bought the house as it mentioned putting a vent in the cupboard where boiler is. Just looking at paper work for boiler and it does state that vertical flue can be no more than 12m so guess that's OK it's just the poor way it's been done. I may of knocked it when moving stuff about but I've never liked the way it was so will get it removed and redirected ASAP

 

[Dangee]

It should be secured in a way that knocking it won’t move it . Would you guess that the diameter of the pipe is either 4” or 6”?

 

[Davidandkeiley]

If I was to guess I would say 4". Stupid thing is when we bought the house we had a leak above where the flue is now and it turned out they had removed the old flue and left the lead flashing where it used to exit thru roof!!! I guess the so called fitter was scared of heights so they went the long way.
Dave

 

[Dangee]

Dave, flue parts probably cost as much as the boiler. It makes no sense. Should have been picked up on survey & gas certificate

 

[Davidandkeiley]

Yep just looked absolutely nothing on either apart from vents to be fitted in door like I said on earlier post Would that indicate that it was satisfactory and I've somehow disturbed it whilst moving stuff around in the loft? Not that it really matters as I will be calling someone in to get sorted and have it redirected back out via roof.
Many thanks for taking time to respond

 

[Dangee]

Let us know how you get on please.
Thanks. Good luck.

 

[dilalio]

Visual inspection of a flue/chimney is required for a service and safety inspection. Even where the route involves boxing in and the flue can't be seen, inspection hatches have to be fitted, at all points where there is a joint, before a cert can be issued.

THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PICKED UP!

Always worth paying for your own gas and electrical survey when purchasing a property.

 

[ianmcd]

Just looking at paper work for boiler and it does state that vertical flue can be no more than 12m so guess that's OK it's just the poor way it's been done.

But that is a horizontal flue, not a vertical flue, what boiler do you have ?

 

[Razor900]

There are definitely issues with the installation but if that's a Vaillant flue it's barely fit for purpose anyway...

 

[Davidandkeiley]

But that is a horizontal flue, not a vertical flue, what boiler do you have ?

Sorry yes my mistake I meant horizontal that is 12m not vertical.
Boiler is Alpha

 

[ianmcd]

Which Alpha there are many of them ?

 

[Davidandkeiley]

OK just a quick update had someone round to check and there is a split in the inner flue and that's what is causing the problem. He did say he could replace the flue but at 8.5 meters long and the fact the boiler is 14 yrs old I don't think it's really worth the cost. So I've decided to have a new boiler installed and moved into the loft but on the gable end wall so it can vent directly out
Many thanks for your advice