Life expectancy of a back boiler

[Min]

Hi folks

I have a Gloworm backboiler which is 13 years old. How long might it sensibly be expected to last?

I would like to restore the fireplace to an open fire and replace the boiler with a new smaller variety.

Who should I get to advise on the state of the flue if/when the backboiler is removed?

Thanks

Min

 

[ChrisR]

Some rust through at a very few years and some go on for 40.
The flue should (!) have a liner (floppy tube) which will have to come out. Then all I know about is using smoke pellets and looking for leaks. You could ask the Solid Fuel Advisory, er, Council?

 

[Min]

Thanks for the advice ChrisR.
Btw - loved your post about the purple loo paper!

 

[ChrisR]

Have had a few .
Big posh house, kids about, cute girlie looking after them makes coffee etc.

I'd met the house owner - balding grey-suited patronising chap with a bit of a sneer, looks like he's lost his monocle. Reeks of Old Money, and breeding.
I get chatty with the girlie, a tad indiscreet - "I suppose the old man will want this within a millimeter, I've been where they walk miles to get water," sort of thing, all day on and off. I'm seeking a bit of cooperation with where I can put my rather battered Transit, currently at the tradesmen's area 100yds away. "On the drive? - oh I'm sure he'd have you shot", she says. I decide to infer that she didn't say I couldn't put it on the drive.

Next day I'm in the back of the van, on the drive, and his nibs comes out to his Merc - I'm in the way. "You have put THAT, THERE?"
"er, I asked the au pair, .."
He struts into the house and returns.
"You were instructed not to put it there"
"you have been talking rather a lot to my wife".

"Ah".

 

[Min]

Oops!
Hope you upped the bill!