Leaky Flue

[MNorris1983]

Hello everyone, first time poster here, got a quick question regarding a concern with my boiler flue. I had my bathroom and kitchen done last month, and since the weather has started to get colder, I decided to switch the CH on last night. After an hour or so I noticed a puddle of water below my boiler, and had a look up at the flue, which is close to the ceiling. Upon looking, there was an obvious point where the leak was coming from, it's literally coming from a point in the flue where there is a screw present. Admittedly this confused me to the point where I thought it best to seek some advice, I will of course be calling the council in the morning, but anything you can do to put my mind at ease would be greatly appreciated. The point I would like answered is, is there any risk of a carbon monoxide leak coming from the flue, as clearly there is water coming from it.

Regards.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Turn the boiler off.

Call the landlord/council/your gas engineer in the morning.


Flues shouldn't leak water.

 

[MNorris1983]

Ok will do, cheers for the quick response Dan

 

[MNorris1983]

Just realised I forgot to mention, it wasn't a constant leak, was just a drip enough to make a small puddle, don't know if that's relevant or not.

 

[Dan Robinson]

I'm assuming it is a condensing boiler.

But either way.. it should be checked ASAP by a registered installer/engineer.

 

[MNorris1983]

I'm not entirely sure what that means to be honest mate, not exactly clued up with the trade, but the flue does leak drips of water out of the end, off the end of my balcony, when there is steam coming from the end of the flue. That is completely normal though from what I've noticed in the 9 years I've lived here. Apologies for my lack of industry knowledge, more of an IT person.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Ah, if it is dripping from the inner pipe onto the balcony and not internally then don't panic.

It is it dripping from the outer pipe then proceed as per the original advice.


If its coming from the inner pipe then chances are the flue angle is not correct and water is running rather than back to the boiler as it is supposed to.

 

[MNorris1983]

Well, it drips as normal from the end, over the edge of my balcony, that's completely normal. The abnormal part is that there is a drip coming from a section of the flue inside my kitchen. If you like I can take a picture and send it to you, if it helps at all?

Cheers,

Marc.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Yes please - you can post the pictures through the forum.

 

[MNorris1983]

Ok Dan, I'll take some pictures and put them on here,

Cheers,


Marc

 

[MNorris1983]

Ok Dan here's the pictures I took for you to have a look, hope they are helpful. One is a little blurry as I had to zoom in quite a bit

 

[Dan Robinson]

Water shouldn't be leaking from there.

If it is not obvious that the water is getting in from outside, then as I said before. Turn it off and get someone in ASAP.


I'm guessing that is an Ideal boiler fitted under a council grant/scheme. So quite possibly not the best installation in the world.

 

[MNorris1983]

Fair point Dan, it's an Alpha boiler though, my first guess was that the workmen when doing my kitchen were obviously a bit heavy handed with the flue and knocked it a bit loose in that section, if that's the case is there any risk at all of carbon monoxide being loose? I have an alarm in the kitchen as we speak, and I only sound desperate because as you are aware it's bloody freezing tonight!

Cheers for all your help Dan,

Marc.

 

[Dan Robinson]

As a gas engineer I have a duty of care to tell you to turn off the boiler.

I know its cold... but do you really want to risk it?

There could well be no fumes entering the kitchen, but....

 

[MNorris1983]

This is very true, obviously first thing in the morning I'll be calling the council. Looks like I get to wear my new coat indoors after all!

Thanks again Dan, you've been an immense help!


Regards,

Marc.