How much upheaval in replacing a back boiler?

dander

As in the title really - just wondering how much upheaval one would expect in replacing a back boiler with a condensing combi. I assume getting the old boiler out of the chimney is going to bring plenty of dust and dirt into that room. Am I likely to have to have many floors up to replace pipes and that kind of thing?

The new boiler will be much closer to the gas and water supplies than the current one, but on the opposite side of the house. I've got the hot water tank in an upstairs bedroom and giant cold water tank in the loft at the moment - so I guess it's a pretty big change to the system.

Also does anyone have a ballpark on how long this kind of work takes?

(just to clarify - I'm not intending to do any of this myself!)

vanilla

We replaced our back boiler and fireplace in May, lots of dust in the livingroom. I'm not sure about pipe work as ours was pretty easy just a few joints had to be changed. The back boiler was changed in a day and able to use the fire in another two days.

ormus

takes about two days on average. pipe work is pretty simple usually. depends where the new boiler is going to be sited.
dust? well like most building work there will be some.

Wookey

Do you really want the old boiler out? It should be possible to leave it in and disconnect the pipework only. If you do decide to rip it out get the chimney well cleaned beforehand. The time it takes will depend on distance to the location of your new boiler, what type of floors you have to run pipes thru etc. You are probably looking at 2 days min, with maybe a bit longer for any plastering etc to be made good.

capita_guy

Wookey wrote: »

Do you really want the old boiler out? It should be possible to leave it in and disconnect the pipework only. If you do decide to rip it out get the chimney well cleaned beforehand. The time it takes will depend on distance to the location of your new boiler, what type of floors you have to run pipes thru etc. You are probably looking at 2 days min, with maybe a bit longer for any plastering etc to be made good.

It is better to remove the back boiler to be safe. There has recently been a case where back boiler was left in and a fire lit in front that led to the death of a lady. Not 100% sure on all the details but removal is best practice.

capita_guy

Get a couple of RGI to look and give you a quote and explain what is involved.
What area are you in?

Wookey

capita_guy wrote: »

It is better to remove the back boiler to be safe. There has recently been a case where back boiler was left in and a fire lit in front that led to the death of a lady. Not 100% sure on all the details but removal is best practice.

These instances have happened regularly where improperly installed pipework/boilers have been fitted/removed etc. Any plumber leaving an old boiler in should at least drill holes in it to ensure any water left inside it has been drained out, any pipework leading from the boiler should also be left open, the vast majority of cases of death or injury by exploding boilers have been where boilers have not been drained properly and pipework has been capped leading to steam not being able to escape and rupturing the boiler or pipework. Removal does not suit everyone and done properly there is no danger.

dander

Oh, I definitely want the boiler out. I might want to use the chimney in the future. The huge water tanks in the loft, however, they can stay. Life's too short to try and get them out!

dander

Oh, and I should say thanks to everyone for the comments - they're definitely putting my mind at rest a bit about having the house completely torn apart! I've got my first guy coming round to quote on it in a few days, so hopefully he'll be able to tell me the horrible truth then :-) I just wanted to be prepared so I don't pull too many shocked faces at him!

Wookey

If your not sure what your for doing with the opening, get a piece of gas pipe in thru to it added when all the wrecking is being done, should you decide on installing a gas fire later you will at least not have any more wrecking/drilling etc to do as the supply pipe will allready be there, it won't cost that much more to get it done now.

Canucklehead

dander wrote: »

As in the title really - just wondering how much upheaval one would expect in replacing a back boiler with a condensing combi. I assume getting the old boiler out of the chimney is going to bring plenty of dust and dirt into that room. Am I likely to have to have many floors up to replace pipes and that kind of thing?

The new boiler will be much closer to the gas and water supplies than the current one, but on the opposite side of the house. I've got the hot water tank in an upstairs bedroom and giant cold water tank in the loft at the moment - so I guess it's a pretty big change to the system.

Also does anyone have a ballpark on how long this kind of work takes?

(just to clarify - I'm not intending to do any of this myself!)

Good evening: converting a BBU heating/DHW gravity system to a sealed system is a labour intensive proposition....time frame varies based on site requirements. For example..the OH completed a conversion today from a solid fuel back boiler (built into the fireplace) gravity system to a combi (loft installation) in 6.5 days.......solid firefront and cast iron components had to be stripped out before the v.v. solid lump could be extricated....new gas supply on new meter, new rad in lounge, stripping tanks and cylinder, removal of all waste etc plus all the requirements to meet 'Best Practice'

Tbh...the estimates that have been given by some on this forum over the years do make me grin:D Post your quotes and those in the know (and others) can comment..

HTH

Canucklehead