Do I really need a new boiler?

tidus

Our house is a new build and the boiler is a Potterton, only 2.5years old. So we just decided to get it serviced. The plumber found there had been a small water leak from a pipe just above the boiler, which has sealed itself, but has dripped onto the top of the boiler casing and caused a small patch of rust/corrosion, and there is a very small hole. This wasn't visible before the front was taken off.

Apparently this means the boiler has to be replaced entirely due to the small hole. Its not allowed to seal the hole. Despite being tiny, there is a "theoretical" risk of fumes escaping, and I suppose the hole could get bigger. He stopped short of condeming the boiler and disconnecting it, but said he couldn't complete the service and sign it off under gas safe rules.

So.... I'm checking with my home insurance to see if its covered, but if not its going to cost £1300 to replace. If it is covered, it'll cost me £250 excess.

Or - get a second opinion from another plumber? It seems such a waste to scrap a perfectly good boiler for such I tiny hole. I suspect the hole has been there for ages (rust doesn't happen overnight, afterall) and we're still alive! Surely it could be sealed?

Or - just ignore it, never have it serviced again and replace it when it eventually breaks down (having invested in a CO2 monitor!).

What would you do?

espresso

Can you post a picture showing this small hole?

There is a "theoretical" risk that this plumber is trying to pull your chain!

gravitytolls

GET A SECOND OPINION, and a third and fourth if necessary. Don't mention your previous inspection, just let them tell you what's what. 2.5 years! I take it it's out of warranty? Maybe contact the installation company, sounds like not fit for purpose if it needs replacing after 2.5 years.

keystone

If there is a hole in the combustion chamber or anywhere to do with the gas train then not declaring it as Immediately Dangerous and disconnecting it was folly. As he didn't you have to presume that its not a serious life threatening failure but theres also the question of the replacement parts and the cost of stripping the boiler and fitting them might exceed the cost of a new boiler in which case (poorly explained maybe) he may actually be suggesting the MSE solution. I don't know that to be the case but its an alternative viewpoint.

You may have a case against the installer for a poorly made joint but if it was poorly made then the leak would have been visible from early on at annual service/inspection even if you didn't spot it so preventative measures could have been taken. That will be the boiler manufacturers take on it I'm guessing. You don't scratch the car down to bare metal and watch it rust for 2½ years then try and blame the manufacturer because the panel has rusted through.

Agree with others you very much need a second opinion.

Cheers

Gloomendoom

What material is the pipe with the hole in it made of?

Canucklehead

Gloomendoom wrote: »

What material is the pipe with the hole in it made of?

Hi

The pipe is sound it's the boiler case that has a hole in it.

The leak would have been from a compression joint above the boiler.

A RGI will not repair the hole the case will need to be replaced.

You should ask for the cost of a new case and compare this to the cost of complete replacement.


GSR

Gloomendoom

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi

The pipe is sound it's the boiler case that has a hole in it.

Ta. I misunderstood. Forgive my ignorance, and I may be getting confused by the terminology being used, but why would a hole in the boiler case condemn the boiler?

Canucklehead

Hi.

As said in the OP fumes from the boiler get into the room. AKA products of combustion, POC, escaping.

GSR

tidus

Thanks all.

I can't really post a picture of the hole as that would involve taking the front off the boiler. Suffice to say its a really small hole (only really visible when a light was directed at it from behind) in the top rear corner of the outside casing.

Its probably been there a long time, unfortunately I've never had the boiler serviced before. I'm kicking myself that I didn't now, obviously, because it would have then been put right within the first two years of ownership of the house, when basically everything is covered by the builder. The boiler is out of warranty. I could contact Bovis and get hold of the contractor... don't fancy my chances, but it might be worth a shot, but after 2.5 years?

I will ask the plumber about changing the casing instead of the whole boiler too, and get a 2nd opinion.

Gloomendoom

I think I'd weld the hole up.

However, I suspect that isn't allowed by somebody or other.

southcoastrgi

exact model of the boiler would be good, so we can see if the case is part of the combustion chamber