I've got a recurring problem with my CH. Having just moved into my new
(3 year old) house, I woke up one morning to find a flood in the
kitchen that appeared to be coming from the non-condensing CH boiler.
After consulting a plumber, it appeared to be due to a leak coming from
the pipes at the top of the boiler. This had obviously been happening
for a while and required a new boiler as some corrosion of the case had
occurred (the only part NOT available was the case = new boiler!). Due
to the new rules, I had to get a condensing boiler at some expense...
but was happy that the problem was solved.. except its now happened
again, 3 months later! However, this time its slightly different / I
have a few more details...

- The leak is coming from the bottom of the boiler (dry at the top - no
sign of a leaky pipe)
- It occured whilst the boiler was on
- I've been having problems this week with a bathroom sink (slow
draining) and I think this time the two are related.. there was a
strange gurgling tonight / foul smells from the sink and I came
downstairs and found the flood about an hour later
- Its cold (possibly borderline freezing) / foggy outside but no rain
for the last couple of days - the drainage trap (?) for the bolier is
inside, not outside so little chance of freezing causing the probolem
inside
- I've had torrential rain since the boiler was installed and had not
problems with flooding

Is this a common problem? The boiler is working and now seems dry but
I'd rather get it checked out rather than face another 2K bill.. but
who do I call - the boiler man or the drains man or both? Bear in mind
its 2 days to xmas....

Any thoughts?
S.

In article om,
writes:
I've got a recurring problem with my CH. Having just moved into my new
(3 year old) house, I woke up one morning to find a flood in the
kitchen that appeared to be coming from the non-condensing CH boiler.
After consulting a plumber, it appeared to be due to a leak coming from
the pipes at the top of the boiler. This had obviously been happening
for a while and required a new boiler as some corrosion of the case had
occurred (the only part NOT available was the case = new boiler!). Due
to the new rules, I had to get a condensing boiler at some expense...
but was happy that the problem was solved.. except its now happened
again, 3 months later! However, this time its slightly different / I
have a few more details...

What make/model is the boiler?

- The leak is coming from the bottom of the boiler (dry at the top - no
sign of a leaky pipe)
- It occured whilst the boiler was on
- I've been having problems this week with a bathroom sink (slow
draining) and I think this time the two are related.. there was a
strange gurgling tonight / foul smells from the sink and I came
downstairs and found the flood about an hour later
- Its cold (possibly borderline freezing) / foggy outside but no rain
for the last couple of days - the drainage trap (?) for the bolier is
inside, not outside so little chance of freezing causing the probolem
inside
- I've had torrential rain since the boiler was installed and had not
problems with flooding

Is this a common problem? The boiler is working and now seems dry but
I'd rather get it checked out rather than face another 2K bill.. but
who do I call - the boiler man or the drains man or both? Bear in mind
its 2 days to xmas....

How about consensate drain froze overnight causing condensate
to spill out indoors, but has since thawed?

The condensate is more corrosive than water, so it might damage
the boiler casing (and anything else) faster than happened with
your previous boiler.

--
Andrew Gabriel

wrote:
I've got a recurring problem with my CH. Having just moved into my new
(3 year old) house, I woke up one morning to find a flood in the
kitchen that appeared to be coming from the non-condensing CH boiler.
After consulting a plumber, it appeared to be due to a leak coming from
the pipes at the top of the boiler. This had obviously been happening
for a while and required a new boiler as some corrosion of the case had
occurred (the only part NOT available was the case = new boiler!). Due
to the new rules, I had to get a condensing boiler at some expense...
but was happy that the problem was solved.. except its now happened
again, 3 months later! However, this time its slightly different / I
have a few more details...

- The leak is coming from the bottom of the boiler (dry at the top - no
sign of a leaky pipe)
- It occured whilst the boiler was on
- I've been having problems this week with a bathroom sink (slow
draining) and I think this time the two are related.. there was a
strange gurgling tonight / foul smells from the sink and I came
downstairs and found the flood about an hour later

A condensing boiler will produce most water output in foggy conditions.
If this can't drain away properly, and the water builds up in the
pipework, things are going to leak.
If possible, disconnect the condensate drain, and put it into a bucket.

I'm pretty sure it's got nothing to do with the original leak.

Had the installer in today... not sure of the exact cause but it turned
out that the plastic ring that held the (surprisingly loose) rubber
hose onto the condensing trap had come undone - its fixed and works but
the installer suggests I contact Potterton to see if this is a problem
they've come across before... the pipe coming off the trap was clear of
obstructions / water but he couldn't rule out a back pressure problem
from the drains
S.