Unreachable condensate pipe

[Buxus]

I'm in the same boat. The condensate pipe has frozen at the top and the wall is so icey that a ladder isn't safe to climb. Install is five months old...

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

I think this really shows the difference between the jobs where someone has chucked a boiler on the wall, (possibly the cheapest quote), and someone who has put a bit of thought into the job, and designed a system where the condensate is either run internally, or is protected as much as possible against freezing.

I know this will be of little joy to anyone sitting in a cold house, but hopefully it'll get the message across that the condensate drain is also a vital part of the installation and its worth asking the installer what the plan is for it when looking at a new boiler, or looking at a property with an existing boiler installed.

Shoving boilers in lofts to save space is fine, until this happens, then the whole installation is then at risk as the frost stat is irrelevant, due to boiler not being able to function as condensate drain is frozen...

 

[Buxus]

Definitely lack of thought or blase about the weather risks. Annoying never the less especially as we didn't pick the cheapest quote. Photo taking during installation.​

 

[John D v2.0]

Not much lagging on those pipes even indoors, I assume that's been corrected since?

 

[Buxus]

Not much lagging on those pipes even indoors, I assume that's been corrected since?

Yes all done, think it's 13mm.

 

[John D v2.0]

Yes all done, think it's 13mm.

Better than nothing, that's classed as "economy" grade because it doesn't meet any regs

 

[Buxus]

Better than nothing, that's classed as "economy" grade because it doesn't meet any regs

AKA loft heater! Something else to add to my job list.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Is there a plastic soil (vent) pipe passing anywhere through your loft space Buxus?

 

[HilaryTip]

I suspect that there are a few bodge jobs in the house my son bought. However they see a bit stuck for choice in the price range and location and, in time, it’ll be a very nice home. They had someone out and he wouldn’t climb a ladder either (restricted space and too windy) so they’ve cut the pipe inside pending a longer term fix when weather improves.
Have you considered an Ice valve? I believe you can get these in hardware stores and you seem to have room to install one inside.

 

[Buxus]

I suspect that there are a few bodge jobs in the house my son bought. However they see a bit stuck for choice in the price range and location and, in time, it’ll be a very nice home. They had someone out and he wouldn’t climb a ladder either (restricted space and too windy) so they’ve cut the pipe inside pending a longer term fix when weather improves.
Have you considered an Ice valve? I believe you can get these in hardware stores and you seem to have room to install one inside.

Is that like the CondenseSure that Worcester Bosch offer?

 

[Buxus]

Is there a plastic soil (vent) pipe passing anywhere through your loft space Buxus?

There is a soil stack within 4m but it terminates below loft height, could I route the condensate internally in the loft, exit then angle into the soil pipe below the AAV?

 

[JohnD]

I think this really shows the difference between the jobs where someone has chucked a boiler on the wall, (possibly the cheapest quote), and someone who has put a bit of thought into the job, and designed a system where the condensate is either run internally, or is protected as much as possible against freezing.

I know this will be of little joy to anyone sitting in a cold house, but hopefully it'll get the message across that the condensate drain is also a vital part of the installation and its worth asking the installer what the plan is for it when looking at a new boiler, or looking at a property with an existing boiler installed.

Shoving boilers in lofts to save space is fine, until this happens, then the whole installation is then at risk as the frost stat is irrelevant, due to boiler not being able to function as condensate drain is frozen...

Yes indeed.

I've had a pipe burst in a loft in exceptionally cold weather. Loft insulation keeps the house warm and the loft cold.

I am a householder not an installer, but when I had my boiler replaced I took care to have it mounted on the kitchen wall next to the sink and the plumbing stack, so the condensate could go into a standpipe directly below, and plumbed into the indoor soilpipe.

My neighbour ended up with the condensate pipe running nearly horizontally along the outside of his kitchen wall. It could have been run under the sink if the installer had been willing to get on his knees and put it behind the kitchen units.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

There is a soil stack within 4m but it terminates below loft height, could I route the condensate internally in the loft, exit then angle into the soil pipe below the AAV?

I most certainly would! I'd also remove any insulation immediately below the new run, and then box it in, with insulation above and around the pipe, which should virtually guarantee it not to freeze in future. To be honest, I am amazed the installer didn't consider that option in the first place, rather than running externally as in your pic!

 

[OwainDIYer]

I haven't read the whole thread, but I assume someone's tried a hair-dryer on an extension lead tied to drain rods to get it up high.

 

[HilaryTip]

This problem of external condensate pipes is huge. I hadn’t realised that the external pipes were such an issue. My most recent installation is external but larger diameter and while near a sink, there’s no internal route to the waste.
My local council have published advice to tenants about dealing. With frozen heating pipes. There was even something related on the one show.