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- 31 Dec 2003
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I have a seven year old Glo-worm 18hxi gas boiler in a second floor flat; the flue exits sideways onto a south west facing wall.
A recent Gas Safety check reported that 'Flue has been leaking above boiler'; 'needs new flue'
I have only just now discovered that other flat owners had reported water ingress into their gas boiler flues some years ago and they believe remedial action was taken but they don't know what was done!
The installer of the boiler investigated and said he thought it was water ingress due to the exposed position of the flue outlet but was unhelpful so I contacted Glow-worm Technical department and asked whether they could supply a cover or baffle to stop any rain water ingress but they reported:
"Our flues are stress tested so this fault should not occur and are designed so that any rain water which was to enter the flue should go through the boiler and exit via the condense."
I replied:
"Since, as you say, water ingress should not occur can you suggest why there is rust around the flue joints? Is this a problem you have experienced elsewhere and if so what is the cause and solution? I'm concerned that if I just have the flue replaced on a like for like basis the problem will recur.
Glow-worm's response is:
"If the flue was installed correctly and flue seals are in good condition and the boiler is burning okay then there is no reason why this would happen. Any flue extensions should be fitted with a fall back to the boiler. The flue should also be adequately supported at every metre or change of direction and if you have any external flue joints these need to weatherproofed using a suitable silicon sealant."
I have discovered in the last week that the letting agent I use for the flat has failed to have the boiler serviced despite charging for a Gas Safety Check and Service. Only the Gas Safety Check has been carried out; the meter readings of the boiler were satisfactory, I believe, and the only fault found was the leaking flue so although the service should have been carried out and I will be sorting that out shortly I would have thought the Gas Safety Check would have identified any problem that could have caused the flue to leak?
I would be grateful for advice and suggestions as to the possible cause of the leak and a solution as I'm not keen to just have a like for like replacement if there is an underlying problem that needs to be fixed.
Thank you
A recent Gas Safety check reported that 'Flue has been leaking above boiler'; 'needs new flue'
I have only just now discovered that other flat owners had reported water ingress into their gas boiler flues some years ago and they believe remedial action was taken but they don't know what was done!
The installer of the boiler investigated and said he thought it was water ingress due to the exposed position of the flue outlet but was unhelpful so I contacted Glow-worm Technical department and asked whether they could supply a cover or baffle to stop any rain water ingress but they reported:
"Our flues are stress tested so this fault should not occur and are designed so that any rain water which was to enter the flue should go through the boiler and exit via the condense."
I replied:
"Since, as you say, water ingress should not occur can you suggest why there is rust around the flue joints? Is this a problem you have experienced elsewhere and if so what is the cause and solution? I'm concerned that if I just have the flue replaced on a like for like basis the problem will recur.
Glow-worm's response is:
"If the flue was installed correctly and flue seals are in good condition and the boiler is burning okay then there is no reason why this would happen. Any flue extensions should be fitted with a fall back to the boiler. The flue should also be adequately supported at every metre or change of direction and if you have any external flue joints these need to weatherproofed using a suitable silicon sealant."
I have discovered in the last week that the letting agent I use for the flat has failed to have the boiler serviced despite charging for a Gas Safety Check and Service. Only the Gas Safety Check has been carried out; the meter readings of the boiler were satisfactory, I believe, and the only fault found was the leaking flue so although the service should have been carried out and I will be sorting that out shortly I would have thought the Gas Safety Check would have identified any problem that could have caused the flue to leak?
I would be grateful for advice and suggestions as to the possible cause of the leak and a solution as I'm not keen to just have a like for like replacement if there is an underlying problem that needs to be fixed.
Thank you