Boiler casing - rusty

beckstrous

Hi All
We have a Potterton Suprima boiler, which is working okay, although I confess it has not been serviced as often as it should have. It's about 9 years old and had the PCB replaced when we moved into the house 3 years ago.
We recently had some unrelated work done and found out that the boiler casing is rusted. Our plumber said it would gradually rust through and create a hole. When this happens the boiler is supposed to shut off but if it didn't, it would cause a CO leak. We do have a CO alarm, but the plumber has said that the only way to be 100% safe is to replace the boiler (or the case).
I have not been able to find a replacement casing anywhere yet (only the front and left panels) but wondered if anyone had ever encountered a similar problem?
I would be very grateful for any advice. I would rather not replace the boiler but at the end of the day it has to be safety first. We're thinking of selling the house and I don't think I could have it on my conscience that it was possibly unsafe - maybe I am a mug but I would be thinking "what if someone moved in, did not have a CO alarm and the shut off did not work"?

bengraves38

Firstly most boilers have an outer case and an inner case, the inner case houses the combustion chamber. If it is the outer case that is rusty this may not affect the integrity of the combustion chamber. However please get this checked out by a corgi installer. Prefrably someone who is not looking to make money from you by replacing your boiler (if you can find someone!). Maby approach installers saying, i am moving so i dont want to replace my boiler but i am wanting to know if it is safe in the intrim period?

In all honesty i agree with what you are saying r.e. the buyers demise being on your conscience. However i would refrain from replacing. Put your house on the market and be upfront with the buyer if the boiler needs replacing. Most people would rather replace the boiler themselves as they can pick the one they want. (if the do want you to do it, you can get it done before exchange of contracts)

This started off as a two line reply LOL!

Hope this helps.

Ben

27col

If someone moved in and did not have a CO alarm and also did not have the boiler checked out for safety, then it is hardly going to be your fault. It is about time that people took responsibility for their own health and safety. Anyway, the plumber did not say that it was dangerous, only that it might develop a hole at some future date. If there is a thin spot due to a bit of rust, I would have thought that it would be easy enough to affect a repair using resin. There is a product which we use to repair small holes in the petrol tanks of old classic motor cycles. You just coat the whole area with the resin and let it set.

BargainGalore

Sometimes you can remove these casings. If you can you could remove the rust and respray you can get white aerosol sprays quite cheap for white goods etc or just rub down if you cant and then respray they are less than a £5 for a spray can wilkos sell it. Krust (made by Hammerite) is also good for removing rust. Wet n dry paper is also good for removing light rust