Boiler Condensate Pipe - Several Leaks + Water Colour

[SamSeldon123]

Hi,

Attaching some pics to help explain.

1. We had a leak (marked as 1) from the pipe underneath the boiler, engineer came around and lifted it to help with waterflow, solved the problem there but

2. This morning we had a leak through our first floor, looks like leak moved to point 2, we lifted the floorboard and could feel pipe wet to the joint.

3. Noticed leak water is rusty in colour as shown

Questions

- What would you guys recommend to get this properly sorted once and for all?

- Also we have had pressure drop issues in boiler last few weeks, could this all be related?

 

[Madrab]

I seem to recognise that setup, where there problems with the unvented a while back?

If the condensate pipework is starting to leak then the run needs checked, it should all be glued so it shouldn't leak unless the fittings/pipe is starting to break down for some reason. The condensate shouldn't really be rusty water coloured either unless the main heat exchanger (HEX) has a problem, hasn't been serviced etc Is the boiler pressure still dropping? Worst case is the HEX is pin holed

 

[terryplumb]

The white plastic pipe is taking the condensate ( slightly acidic water) from the boiler ,which is a by product of boiler when it's in use.
The joints are ( or rather should be ) solvent welded to the pipe. If they leak ,they are either cracked or not properly solvent welded in the first place. Simple to replace.
Not directly connected to pressure loss.

 

[SamSeldon123]

I seem to recognise that setup, where there problems with the unvented a while back?

If the condensate pipework is starting to leak then the run needs checked, it should all be glued so it shouldn't leak unless the fittings/pipe is starting to break down for some reason. The condensate shouldn't really be rusty water coloured either unless the main heat exchanger (HEX) has a problem, hasn't been serviced etc Is the boiler pressure still dropping? Worst case is the HEX is pin holed

Thanks and yea mate, same system you have a good eye! Another issue

TBH I am thinking of just replacing a lot of the system given all the issues we are having, its around 13 years old. Upgrade boiler, get away from Gledhill as they were just a pain to deal with, thinking Megaflow to simplify and get rid of EV.

Also would it help if there was a condensation pump, the gradient of the pipes is not steep enough so water builds up over time?

 

[Madrab]

TBH I am thinking of just replacing a lot of the system given all the issues we are having, its around 13 years old. Upgrade boiler, get away from Gledhill as they were just a pain to deal with, thinking Megaflow to simplify and get rid of EV.

Also would it help if there was a condensation pump, the gradient of the pipes is not steep enough so water builds up over time?

If it's only costing money to maintain then it's a basic cost benefit exercise as to whether it should be replaced.

Megaflo's are ok but TBH the internal bubble needs serviced anyway, as does an EV and invariably after a while they lose the ability to maintain the bubble it and then it needs an external EV.
The other issue there is, is a horizontal cylinder ..... they just weren't designed to be horizontal. What capacity is it?

As for a condi pump, looking at the height of the boiler to the exit on the floor for the pipewrk then I would suggest there is plenty of fall to be had, so a condi pump shouldn't really be needed.

 

[Gasguru]

Search for Megaflo baffles breaking down on here...they are not problem free.

 

[SamSeldon123]

If it's only costing money to maintain then it's a basic cost benefit exercise as to whether it should be replaced.

Megaflo's are ok but TBH the internal bubble needs serviced anyway, as does an EV and invariably after a while they lose the ability to maintain the bubble it and then it needs an external EV.
The other issue there is, is a horizontal cylinder ..... they just weren't designed to be horizontal. What capacity is it?

As for a condi pump, looking at the height of the boiler to the exit on the floor for the pipewrk then I would suggest there is plenty of fall to be had, so a condi pump shouldn't really be needed.

It's 210L, there's no easy vertical option.

There is fall but water seems to get stuck in various bends on the way down and leaks. Shouldn't happen I know but has now a few weeks apart at different points in the pipe.

 

[Madrab]

I must admit though, there are more than a few excess joins in that condensate pipe, could have been run with more single pieces and lot less connections so could certainly be a lot tidier.

No but there would be the option to use a couple of small vertical cylinders in tandem. If that Vaillant is it's normal ~ 950mm high then you have at least a 1m if not more - a 105L unvented can come in @ under 1m - have set that up a few times. Every horizontal cylinder I have come across in all my years and I can how many on one hand that how few, have had 1 problem or another. Of course that would be a new consideration but if you were thinking about renewing. I'll be honest though, nothing really wrong with Gledhill, it's usually the installation isn't fit for purpose not the kit.