Annual Boiler Service issues and questions

FreshlyCutFlowers

Hello! This forum is so helpful for someone like me who don't have real life contacts to ask, hopefully these are things someone can answer.
We scheduled our first ever 'annual boiler service' (bought house last year) and had the very friendly and helpful boiler man from a gas safe company drop by. So far so good!

Two questions came up

A ) The boiler man didn't have with him the necessary tool to open and rinse my boiler filter. When I asked about if it could wait until next year he ummed and and made it clear in his tone that I should probably get someone out sooner but 'it can probably wait'.
He also recommended I personally buy the tool necessary to open the filter so next time I have people in, they can open it. I paid ~£100 for the service already- I wasnt expecting to also buy the tool and get them back in to rinse it. Do I have any ground to stand on here or no? I feel slightly conned!


B ) The boiler was serviced annually according to the previous owner and they had papers which proved it, no issues. However, in my service check it was pointed out that the flue is not properly attached to the wall and that someone could lean on it which is a security risk and legal requirement to get fixed. They contacted us later and quoted ~£120 to send someone out and get it securely fitted to the wall.

As you can see in the image, the flue goes straight up into the ceiling and then the metal attachment is around the flue but not attached to anything. The current attachment just isnt able to reach the wall which may be why it was never attached. There is also a bump in the wall which I always through was due to a beam between the party walls though that could be incorrect- either way it makes the attaching more difficult.
Im confused as to how the previous owner would have gotten away with this for many years already if its a legal requirement? I was told he is forced to put a warning on me and if I don't get it fixed they shut down our gas. The boiler is hanging quite high and the top of it is over 2 meters above the ground. There is no way anyone has access to this flue without a ladder to climb up intentionally. Is it really right that I have to get this done? I already have someone ready to come in but wanted to confirm the necessity. 

grumbler

FreshlyCutFlowers said:

A ) The boiler man didn't have with him the necessary tool to open and rinse my boiler filter. When I asked about if it could wait until next year he ummed and and made it clear in his tone that I should probably get someone out sooner but 'it can probably wait'.
He also recommended I personally buy the tool necessary to open the filter so next time I have people in, they can open it. I paid ~£100 for the service already- I wasnt expecting to also buy the tool and get them back in to rinse it. Do I have any ground to stand on here or no? I feel slightly conned!

Well, AFAIK, unlike most other fittings, filters are usually supplied with a service spanner, that  begs a question - why? I guess the previous owner wasn't  a very organised person, otherwise the 'tool' would be hanging next to the filter. That's the one you have to blame in the first place.

That said, I think a belt spanner can be used instead in most cases and I am surprised that the "boiler man from a gas safe company" didn't have it.

Bendy_House

Hi FCF.

I suspect there are different tools required for different filters, and it probably isn't reasonable for a plumber to carry them all. Yes, it should have come with the filter, so the customer should normally have it. Checking the filter is also within the realms of most/many home-owner DIYing. What make and model is it?

Yes, it's worth checking, not only for cleaning it out, but also as an indication of the condition of your system.

As for the flue, that sounds like a common outcome when you have different GasSafes out to exactly the same job. I suspect it doesn't conform, so this latest guy was technically correct in 'condemning' it. At the same time, it sounds as tho' it could only ever become an 'issue' if someone were to bump into it? What are the chances? Previous GasSafes most likely either didn't even check it (not sure it's within a boiler service remit?), or just decided it wouldn't be a significant risk in practice. I dunno.

I don't think you've been 'conned', tho'.

grumbler

Quick googling shows that the flue has to be supported once every meter. So, if it's supported above the ceiling and the distance to that support is no more than 1m, then the 'boiler man' or his company just wants to make some extra money.

Another_Level

Which filter ?  Maybe the service tech remembered some filters leak water when refitting the lid & some need a service kit.

The boiler manufacture may have a specific flue bracket which has a threaded rod which can be cut to size to suit the wall to flue distance.  Generic adjustable brackets are available.
Some boiler manufacturers have specific instructions for their flues, the service tech has seen the installation and not made any other comment. 
Where the flue passes through the ceiling, looks like there is a gap which would needs filling with a non combustible filler ie traditional building material like plaster or polyfilla.

Atleast the boiler has been serviced 

FreshlyCutFlowers

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like I just have to pay up to get them back in then..  

grumbler

FreshlyCutFlowers said:

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like I just have to pay up to get them back in then..  

IMHO, boilers don't need annual servicing. I haven't had my serviced for 20 years, although admittedly it's a basic one.

It's not a car and there is no anything to 'service' there. Basically, they are getting callout charges and don't do anything real. Cleaning a magnetic filter is a simple DIY job.

FreshlyCutFlowers

Another_Level said:

Which filter ?  Maybe the service tech remembered some filters leak water when refitting the lid & some need a service kit.

The boiler manufacture may have a specific flue bracket which has a threaded rod which can be cut to size to suit the wall to flue distance.  Generic adjustable brackets are available.
Some boiler manufacturers have specific instructions for their flues, the service tech has seen the installation and not made any other comment. 
Where the flue passes through the ceiling, looks like there is a gap which would needs filling with a non combustible filler ie traditional building material like plaster or polyfilla.

Atleast the boiler has been serviced 

It was a magnetic system filter. He showed me some pictures of what looked like black sludge attached to a brush when it doesnt get cleaned.

Yes, this hole does confuse me a bit- not sure how they bodged it up and cut the hole so big. It's quite drafty under it so I'd love to have it patched up but not sure what can be done about it. Is there some sort of vent that can go around the pipe and cover the hole?

grumbler said:

FreshlyCutFlowers said:

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like I just have to pay up to get them back in then..  

IMHO, boilers don't need annual servicing. I haven't had my serviced fo 20 years, although admittedly it's a basic one.

It's not a car and there is no anything to 'service' there. Basically, they are getting callout charges and don't do anything real. Cleaning a magnetic filter is a simple DIY job.

If its a simple job I can give it a go but he recommended I don't as people tended to panic when they opened the lid.

ChasingtheWelshdream

I clean our magnaclean thingy. I was a bit scared I’d break something the first time but honestly it is really simple. Bet there’s a YouTube you can watch 🙂

We do have it serviced too but I like to keep an eye on the filter as I am gradually replacing radiators and pipe work. Just gives me an idea of if I’ve dislodged loads of sludge along the way.

greyteam1959

grumbler said:

FreshlyCutFlowers said:

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like I just have to pay up to get them back in then..  

IMHO, boilers don't need annual servicing. I haven't had my serviced fo 20 years, although admittedly it's a basic one.

It's not a car and there is no anything to 'service' there. Basically, they are getting callout charges and don't do anything real. Cleaning a magnetic filter is a simple DIY job.

Same here.
I have a condensing gas boiler & not had it serviced in 15 years.
And don't intend to either 

Alanp

There used to be three categories 
not to current standards
at risk
immediately dangerous
the not to current standards was dropped, and, unless it’s altered again there’s only two
your boiler guy probably issued an at risk notice, mainly to cover himself over the flue fixing, if it was ID, he would HAVE to fix it ( with your permission) , or cap off the gas, 
It would be prudent to get the flue correctly secured just to be sure…
if the , not to current standards was still in use, he would have noted the flue under this