Whats the metal square box on outside wall leading to boiler

[dagger]

Hi guys please offer me some advice

I know the metal square box outside my kitchen wall leads to my boiler in the kitchen (old boiler about 20 years + and still working fine) I presume its just some form of vent - is that correct ???

Anyway mine has corroded quite a bit now and Id like anew one - are they east to get and fit ? is this a difficult job ie/ specialist only ? and what are they called ???

More importantly my waste pipes from bathroom sink bath etc (white plastic) run down the outside wall at an angle into the downpipe hopper. At one point they pass over this metal boiler vent thingy and I have noticed that it has melted them , to such an extent that the pipes are now all bent/snapped right through and burnt brown colour !!!! Are there any heat resistant pipes I can replace these with or is there a spray on heat protector or something available ???

Please help me ????

 

[oilman]

Please help me ????

Just the words I was looking for. How can we? you haven't said what the boiler is

The metal box is probably the flue.

 

[Paul Barker]

Wasn't fitted right all those years ago.

You probably can't buy a new flue, if it's a gas boiler you need someone corgi registered to come and see how many defects there are, and whether the boiler is working satisfactorily through them. If the boiler is working safely then it may be that either diverting the pipes or heat shielding them (requiring another test of boiler working condition) and if the flue is still safe (no leaks between intake and output, no holes etc) you might be OK to keep the boiler working.

Be prepared for a new installation possibly in a new location.

 

[dagger]

thanks gents

the boiler concerned is a glow worm space saver 50

I had it serviced and thermocouple replaced last year and it had a clean bill of health - my main problem is not the boiler or even the metal box (flue ???) really although this looks a bit ropey (but I guess its 20 years old so fair does.

My main problem is that Im about to replace the plastic waste pipes but dont want them to melt again, so is there any heat shield spray I can put on or even better any heavy duty heat resistant pipes to buy to begin with.

cheers guys

 

[kevplumb]

I had it serviced and thermocouple replaced last year and it had a clean bill of health -

with the waste pipes melting

 

[dagger]

no the waste pipes are new 6 months ago from a new bathroom refit

 

[dagger]

or how about metal waste pipes can I use them or is there no such thing ???

 

[kevplumb]

or how about a heat sheild over the flue

 

[dagger]

whats that kev - got any links ???

 

[Nige F]

You can get copper tube in 35mm+42mm which you then need to connect to the plastic using a MacAlpine universal coupling...how long are the pipes.......35=basin,42=bath...heat shield you just bend out of sheet metal BUT as Paul Barker said.......flue has to be checked again

 

[dagger]

great thanks, do you know where I can get 32mm and 40mm copper pipe, Ive searched the net but cant find any reference to it ????

the 32mm length is about 2 metres and the 40mm run is only about 1 metre

presumably if I use copper pipe it wont need heat shielding ? I only asked about heat shield in case I have to stick with plastic pipe.

 

[Nige F]

Plumbers Merchants .......Not bought any that size for years.but I`m in the merchant`s tomorrow so I`ll get the SP. and let you know on this thread

 

[Paul Barker]

Copper won't need heatshield, but any obstacle contravenes regulations regarding position of flue. So the boiler is classified as not to current standards, we must advise you not to run your pipework in such a way as it interferes with the correct position of the flue. When the flue was fitted it complied with the regs, the person who did your pipework since (the plastic which melted) was the one responsible for breaking the rules re fluing.

Your problem is not just that your pipes are melting, but also that your boiler flue is not to current standards.

If this affects the safe running of the boiler it is your most serious conscern, not your plastic pipe.

 

[Nige F]

Pipe prices.....35mm=£32.00 per 3m. length..........42=£39.08 per 3m. plus VAT

 

[dagger]

Thanks for the info NigeF but ouch ! nearly £90 then !!!

I think Im gonna get some plastic pipe and spray it with heat shield spray and see how we get on this time

Thanks for your advice everyone