Worcester Greenstar 28i Junior

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S.

Yes - I have tried pressing reset. An engineer called and he said that there is no way that the pipe is going to defrost until the weather changes. He cut the pipe in the airing cupboard and placed a bucket to catch the drips. He said to check the bucket every day and, when the weather improves, Heatforce will call and repair the pipe.
Yes - I blame the installers, Heatforce, too. That is obviously a temporary repair - and the engineer agreed and said I should phone Heatforce tomorrow. I was going to request a lagged pipe (the engineer mentioned a Heated Blanket) but I hadn't considered a different size pipe as neilmd mentions. Whatever - it's very early winter & the bucket could be left for months - and needed again every year so I'll have to demand a more suitable solution.

ariba10

We ran our condensate pipe internally to the soil stack that takes the washing machine waste water.

It was easier at the time, but on refection a good move.

squinty

As a longer term solution you could install a heater to the condensate pipe with something like this:

https://www.abgo.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=&product_id=6314&category_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26

neilmcl

ariba10 wrote: »

We ran our condensate pipe internally to the soil stack that takes the washing machine waste water.

It was easier at the time, but on refection a good move.

Usually the most preferred solution if its possible.

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S.

I contacted Heatforce as the system is under their warranty. When I contacted them they said they would send and engineer. The engineer phoned me before calling to discuss the problem. He arrived, discussed the problem, then cut the pipe and positioned a bucket to catch the drips and left. At no time did anyone indicate that there would be a charge or that the problem was not covered by the warranty. An invoice for £50 arrived today - I don't think they have a right to demand payment. They blamed the manufacturer as they say the manufacturer should have advised that the system could freeze - if that's the case the manufacturer can pay the invoice. Has anyone come up against this? Thanks. T

penrhyn

The manufacturer advises that the condensate pipe should be routed internally. I would have thought if you have any claim then it would be the installers.
You might have to join the queue of several thousands who have all had the same problem.

The real culprit is John Prescott who banned non condensing boilers, which rarely are as efficient as they claim to be.

neilmcl

penrhyn wrote: »

The manufacturer advises that the condensate pipe should be routed internally. I would have thought if you have any claim then it would be the installers.
You might have to join the queue of several thousands who have all had the same problem.

The real culprit is John Prescott who banned non condensing boilers, which rarely are as efficient as they claim to be.

Actually, the manufacturer advises that it would be "preferable" for the condensate to be routed internally if its appropriate, not that it "should". Routing the condensate piupe externally still follows WB installation guidelines.

MrVirus

Because of the amount of condensate pipes that have frozen this year, trade mag's have mentioned a change in the regs to (hopefully) rid this problem for the future. This doesn't help you, just thought I'd mention.

Condensate pipes have ALWAYS been required to be lagged if they run in 19mm externally. If the engineer was the installer, dispute the bill. Should have been done right in the first place.......