Can I fix condensate pipe to boiler?

edinburgher

Plastic condensate pipe coming out of our combi boiler comes off periodically, leaking a decent amount of water, has caused some damage to edge of worktop.

I'm not sure if it's the cat going down the back of the  worktop and knocking it, or the wee wooden box around the pipes getting knocked.

Can I glue it to the boiler somehow? I asked plumber last time they serviced it but they gave some unclear noncommittal answer and I didn't push it. They're not due out for months, some kind of short term solution would be good.

flashg67

Is u=it leaking from where it attaches to the boiler or at a joint/elbow? Solvent weld for waste pipes will work if it's plastic to plastic

grumbler

A photo?                      

ThisIsWeird

A photo would indeed help.

In essence, yes, it can be glued - usually solvent-welded as mentioned above. Tbh, these connections aren't under any pressure, so pretty much anything can be used - a drop of superglue, a dab of evostick, even a ring of sticky-tape.

Only issue I can think of is that gluing it might make it hard for the whole assembly to be detached from the boiler should a GasSafe wish to do this. But if it's only one joint that's coming apart, then a dab of adhesive on that joint should allow the others to be disconnected - assuming they haven't been glued either.

Btw, the leaking 'condensate' is acidic, and will likely tarnish any metal object it comes into contact with, and potentially other materials such as granite, in case you have fancy w'tops. Best wipe up asap.

edinburgher

Thanks for commenting, photo attached

Ectophile

How about fixing it in place better with pipe clips attached to the wall, to stop it moving?

FreeBear

I'd be reluctant to glue it in place. A pipe clip or two fixed to the wall will provide some support and should stop it from being dislodged.

Le_Kirk

Ectophile said:

How about fixing it in place better with pipe clips attached to the wall, to stop it moving?

FreeBear said:

I'd be reluctant to glue it in place. A pipe clip or two fixed to the wall will provide some support and should stop it from being dislodged.

I did exactly this when mine woke us up one morning with a nice surprise - water in the bathroom light (boiler is in loft) - despite having been installed some months before.

edinburgher

Ectophile said:

How about fixing it in place better with pipe clips attached to the wall, to stop it moving?

That's a cracking idea, thanks 😊

ThisIsWeird

Best solution indeed.
It'll be 'overflow' pipe, which is a nominal '22'mm but can vary slightly between manufacturers. This should be a good snug fit:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/floplast-waste-pipe-clips-white-21-5mm-10-pack/17900 and you may need a spacer behind it to position it correctly.
If it doesn't hold the pipe well against slipping through, you could always add the dab of adhesive or silicone on the pipe clip before clipping it, but only enough so the glue join can be broken easily by pulling the pipe out at any point. 
But, it should be snug enough as it is. Two clips, tobesuretobesure?

Eldi_Dos

Is the boiler shuddering or vibrating and causing pipe to come loose?
Try putting a rubber o ring on if awkward to get pipe clip in place.