Can't afford to have condemned boiler replaced - am in despair

cas444

It's an NF50

C_Mababejive

If i were you i would seek out a local independent engineer for his opinion.

My boiler is thirty years old,its a spacesaver 38 CF and its working perfectly.

ollski

You can't flush a one pipe system so new rads required, then a flush of the pipework. Then you are in a warranty minefield. Sounds like a complete repipe and new boiler, as we don't know the size of the house or boiler or type of construction nobody can begin to give you a costing from here. Plastic pipe may be of some benefit when pricing.

Mr_Ted

ollski wrote: »

You can't flush a one pipe system so new rads required, then a flush of the pipework. Then you are in a warranty minefield. Sounds like a complete repipe and new boiler, as we don't know the size of the house or boiler or type of construction nobody can begin to give you a costing from here. Plastic pipe may be of some benefit when pricing.

Of course you can flush a one pipe system, its actually easier as you only have one circuit, but balancing the system after will be important?

But I would avoid plastic like the plague personally!!!!

There is some sort of stigma about old systems and leaks from joints etc, but a very old system is likely to have a more sustantial grade of pipework, joint and fittings?

Its the slightly later systems, i.e. after the Rhodesia crisis and copper shortage when copper quality was lowered to minimise usage and pipe and fitting were made smaller and thinner, that possible problems occur?

ollski

Mr_Ted wrote: »

Of course you can flush a one pipe system, its actually easier as you only have one circuit, but balancing the system after will be important?

Why would the flow from a powerflush machine go round a rad off a one pipe circuit?, the path of least resistance is the pipe. I actually only checked with kamco yesterday as I have a system which needs a clean....they say no, won't work.

cottonhead

Get several people round. We recently had BG round and the guy didnt even get within 2 feet of the boiler and still managed to quote us for a new one.... ! Had a lovely indepedant in the end who did a great clean job at a good price. Do you have a family member who could lend you the money and then pay them back? Maybe see if there is a local money co-operative in your area. They can lend to people in distres. Obviousy make sure you check any loans properly and can afford the repayments though.
Warmfront might be able to help and yes it takes a bit of time but you could probably get by for a few weeks if you know that help is on the way.

kezlou

Thats one of the main problems with british gas they wont go near an old boiler with a barge pole.

I would suggest getting an independant gas engineer in and asking for a quote. They'll be able to give you a competitive quote and advice.

My partner is an gas engineer and works on old boilers.
The problem with old boilers is the cost of parts they are expensive and hard to find. So maybe best off paying for a new installation, but i very much doubt it wil cost £5000 to fit it.

Mr_Ted

ollski wrote: »

Why would the flow from a powerflush machine go round a rad off a one pipe circuit?, the path of least resistance is the pipe. I actually only checked with kamco yesterday as I have a system which needs a clean....they say no, won't work.

If that were the case the system woulnt work under normal conditions either

You would need to open all valves fully except for that on ther INDEX radiator and the Lock Shield valve on the return that all one pipe systems should have whick should be restricted to force the flow through the rad!

Then of course theres the old fashioned way of removing the rads and flushing individually!

How do you think life existed in the stone age when we didnt have fancy machines to do the work??

AND I bet we could take out all the rads and flush the pipework by hose quicker than what is charged for now???

ollski

Mr_Ted wrote: »

If that were the case the system woulnt work under normal conditions either

You would need to open all valves fully except for that on ther INDEX radiator and the Lock Shield valve on the return that all one pipe systems should have whick should be restricted to force the flow through the rad!

Then of course theres the old fashioned way of removing the rads and flushing individually!

How do you think life existed in the stone age when we didnt have fancy machines to do the work??

AND I bet we could take out all the rads and flush the pipework by hose quicker than what is charged for now???

Lol, most of them don't work after 40 odd years of sludge build up and you know that some water obviously flows round the rads but not enough for a powerflush unit to be able to have any effect.

The old fashioned way of cleaning is fine but they won't be fitting an old fashioned boiler, they will be fitting a nice modern efficient one with an intolerance to any dirt supplied by a manufacturer who will walk away from any dirt related faults.

I'm pretty sure you're well aware of how difficult it is to set a single pipe system up to maximize the efficiency of a condensing boiler too, to balance the flow and return temperatures and still get heat to the furthest rads is almost impossible after 5 or so rads.

cas444

We had an independent Gas Safe to look yesterday and he says we are actually on a 2 pipe system.

BG said downstairs had been converted into two pipe but not upstairs so confusion reigns atm.

I phoned for another independent to come round this evening to confirm which system it actually is.

With reg. to flushing of pipes BG said you could flush a one pipe system by removing the rads from the walls but wouldn't actually need new radiators.

If we are on a two pipe then the quote from the independent was £2,250 to fit a worcester bosch boiler