Frozen condensation pipe, manual removal?

Mr.Generous

Ive seen quite a few done with 15mm copper, I remember loads froze up a few years ago and they started fitting bigger plastic pipes after that winter. A lot of boilers will have a pressure release valve copper pipe, often a small bend facing back to the brick coming out, that can get confused with the condensate pipe.

robin58

I heard a plumber (the good ones, you know salt of the earth, local, non-celebrity type) on the radio give the above posters advice to clear the boiler condensation pipes for an emergency fix.

He also mentioned that there is now available a additional piece of kit they can now add which collects the condensation dribbling out of the pipe and dumps it out in one go once it's full enough. Don't know if that is outside or inside if in the correct area to be able to do it.

telemarks

blackshirtuk wrote: »

Are you sure you don't mean 22mm. Most condensate discharge pipes used to be 21.5 mm solvent weld pipes. I believe the requirement for new installations is 32mm. The bigger the pipe the less likely to freeze solid.

I am by no means an expert, but would think the bigger the fall the better, as you are trying to keep the condensate moving so that it doesn't freeze.

Yes, you are right, when I came to replace I realised it was 21.5mm solvent weld, and replaced it with like, but with more gradient ::)
If it stops raining tommorow, I'll insulate the outside 21.5mm pipe, and encase in a 40mm, hopefully that will fit it

silvercar

robin58 wrote: »

I heard a plumber (the good ones, you know salt of the earth, local, non-celebrity type) on the radio give the above posters advice to clear the boiler condensation pipes for an emergency fix.

He also mentioned that there is now available a additional piece of kit they can now add which collects the condensation dribbling out of the pipe and dumps it out in one go once it's full enough. Don't know if that is outside or inside if in the correct area to be able to do it.

There is. It also can be fitted around the hot pipe coming out of the boiler, providing some warmth to the condensate making it even less likely to freeze.

https://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/professional/products/accessories/condensesure

maisie_cat

Our boiler is in the loft and about once a year we have to disconnect the condensate pipe and have the boiler drain into a container for a day or so. We were told that that is the best way to deal with our situation