Do we really need a soak away??

[Drsljones]

we're having a new combo boiler fitted (a Worcester Bosch CDI) into our garage (boiler was previously in the kitchen).

The boiler engineer has said we'll need a soak away fitted into the drive (tarmac sloped drive) to take the boiler condensate...

Yet I've been onto a number of drains & drives traders for quotes who all seem to say I don't need one (as the amount of condensate is too small to bother with).

I'm now stuck in that boiler man won't fit it without one, but drive & drains people say I don't need one and so won't quote for it.

Do I really need one? If so what exactly do I need and are there any regs on where it needs to be in relation to the house wall.?

 

[Newboy]

Do I really need one?

Yes you need one. The condensate is slightly acidic and can't just be discharged onto the driveway surface. apart from anything else, it would damage the tarmac.

The good news is the soakaway needed is small and easy to install.

http://mcalpineplumbing.com/traps/condensate-traps-and-fittings/soak1gr-soakaway

 

[Pin 5]

Boiler man who is installing my boiler says I need one...

Drive layers who know nothing about boilers say I dont...

 

[DP]

If there is another drain nearby, a pump could be used if gravity discharge not possible

 

[Drsljones]

Only drain we have anywhere near on the front is the pipe that takes the front drainpipe downfalls but that's at the other end of the property frontage. (Approx 8m away)

 

[dilalio]

Don't see why your "installer" can't "install" a soak away as part of the "installation"?

 

[Drsljones]

Boiler man said he only does boilers. The whole project is getting very complicated, as we're going to need a new garage door to accommodate the boiler too (it will interfere with the current up & over door)

 

[ianmcd]

"Boiler man" should install the soakaway its hardly a big job, can understand if he advises that you get someone else to reinstate the Tarmac if that is what he wants , I think it might be a good idea to get another quote from another "Boiler man"

 

[muggles]

I agree - time to get another price from someone who can do the whole job for you (and preferably doesn't spec overpriced plastic filled boilers either)

 

[dilalio]

Boiler man said he only does boilers. The whole project is getting very complicated, as we're going to need a new garage door to accommodate the boiler too (it will interfere with the current up & over door)

I'd have no problem with putting in the soakaway - even reinstating the asphalt with a bag of cold lay. I'd also be able to recommend someone to sort the garage door out!

 

[Drsljones]

I'd have no problem with putting in the soakaway - even reinstating the asphalt with a bag of cold lay. I'd also be able to recommend someone to sort the garage door out!

Don't suppose you cover Birmingham/Black Country do you?

 

[dilalio]

Don't suppose you cover Birmingham/Black Country do you?

Sorry mate, no.
But others here might?

 

[Madrab]

Yup, +2. If he can't install a boiler without the skills to install a condensate soakaway, which is considered part of a condensing boiler install as far as I'm concerned, then he's not worth the bother. As others have mentioned, find someone that will.

 

[Tigercubrider]

Isn't there a way of fitting the boiler away from the door?

 

[Drsljones]

Isn't there a way of fitting the boiler away from the door?

Unfortunately because of where the roof etc are & house sits right upto the boundary the boiler needs to be at the front edge of the garage to allow for flue pipe (I understand there's a max length of pipe we can have) and getting rid of the condensate back out of the system to somewhere outside but off our property