Condensate pipe

Alex1983

It may well be talking about 21.5mm condense pipework being a max of 3m and insulated, as that text goes on to say increasing to 32mm being advisable. 32mm does not need insulating.

Gizmo21

Fab, thanks Alex.

Gizmo21

Gizmo21 wrote: »

Thanks Mr.Genorous, I'll look into that also.

Mr.Generous I meant

Alex1983

Look up the HHIC condense regs, ive just looked at it and it has been update in October 2018, tells you the required standards as of October 2018, I'd guess that's when the 3m max rule came because like I said I've never heard it before, the problem you'll have is your boiler was fitted in 2016 so the rules would of been different when fitted.

The forum user southcoastrgi may know a bit more when he reads this post.

The_Jester

The plastic condensate pipe fits into a rubber gasket under your boiler. If you know there's a period of freezing weather due you can take a few precautionary steps.

1. Remove the existing pipe from underneath your boiler (it pulls off)
2. Attach a short piece of plastic pipe about two feet in length.
3. Put the end into a bucket.

The bucket takes a few days to fill so make sure you empty it. The water is slightly acidic so best pour it in a drain outside. When the cold period ends put the original pipe back in.

A heating engineer told me this years ago and I've used it a few times at my sisters house.

This is against regs but it will get you out of a spot.

In the spring I'd change the pipe into a 40mm pipe just before it leaves your house.

Gizmo21

Alex1983 wrote: »

Look up the HHIC condense regs, ive just looked at it and it has been update in October 2018, tells you the required standards as of October 2018, I'd guess that's when the 3m max rule came because like I said I've never heard it before, the problem you'll have is your boiler was fitted in 2016 so the rules would of been different when fitted.

The forum user southcoastrgi may know a bit more when he reads this post.

Ah, so that'll be why ours is over 4 metres then. We had trouble the day after they'd installed it as we had a gas leak. The gas board came out and discovered (in his words)" one of the pipes had only been tightened finger tight and should've been spanner tight", hence why I haven't got much faith in the company who fitted it. Thanks again Alex

Gizmo21

The_Jester wrote: »

The plastic condensate pipe fits into a rubber gasket under your boiler. If you know there's a period of freezing weather due you can take a few precautionary steps.

1. Remove the existing pipe from underneath your boiler (it pulls off)
2. Attach a short piece of plastic pipe about two feet in length.
3. Put the end into a bucket.

The bucket takes a few days to fill so make sure you empty it. The water is slightly acidic so best pour it in a drain outside. When the cold period ends put the original pipe back in.

A heating engineer told me this years ago and I've used it a few times at my sisters house.

This is against regs but it will get you out of a spot.

In the spring I'd change the pipe into a 40mm pipe just before it leaves your house.

Thanks Jester, interesting especially as a heating engineer told you it. I'll keep that in mind as a last resort, as our house is rented and I wouldn't like to mess with it and break something.

bris

I came across this https://www.screwfix.com/p/mcalpine-flexible-condensate-pipe-kit/7751P?tc=YA7&ds_kid=92700020956158964&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1249404&ds_rl=1249799&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1249481&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt_S1qaKP4AIVA1XTCh0mkAeREAQYASABEgJz__D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds running externally inside 32mm pipe. Seems like a good idea but no idea if it would insulate it well enough.


I was redoing the gas pipe for a new kitchen where everything was ripped it out and ran the condensate internally to the kitchen waste while I was at it.


OP you could get someone to run it internally for you. A lot of fitters take the easy option which is to just core through the wall under the boiler but it's never a good idea when there is other options, but these options can be time consuming.

neilmcl

Gizmo21 wrote: »

Yes, it's 35. I made my husband measure it twice as I thought he was wrong, haha!

I've never seen a 35mm condensate pipe and quite surprised that it freezes, one of the reasons boiler manufacturers recommend going up to 32mm is to prevent freezing.

neilmcl

Mr.Generous wrote: »

I would imagine a 40mm plastic waste pipe over the 32mm condensate pipe would help - double skin would help stop contents freezing and plastic pipe is cheap enough to be worth a go.

Failing that ebay sellers offer some large insulation pipe wrap, if its 2mm too large just cable tie it on every foot.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Grey-Foam-Pipe-Insulation-Tube-Lagging-Wrap-Roll-Copper-Pipe-Lag/163321870120?hash=item2606bdf728:m:mwI8QGkb7QmoNL_mpC28RYg:rk:7:pf:0

My condensate pipe goes into a wider pipe "jacket" as you describe however it doesn't prevent it from freezing, it still freezes at ground level and backs up into the outer pipe. However it is easy to clear by just pouring hot water down the outer pipe.