Boiler installer left old flue hole open

Pagw

Hi, I recently had a gas boiler replaced in a 2nd floor flat. In discussions with the company afterwards, I found out that they had to drill a new flue hole (I wasn't there when the work was being done - it didn't seem like they would have taken the initiative to tell me!). This hadn't been planned - the possibility that this would be necessary hadn't been discussed beforehand. From the outside, the old flue hole appears open (see image) - they've not told me yet if there was any sealing done on the inside. The hole is covered over by the boiler, so it can't be seen from the inside. The cupboard where the boiler was installed is a tight space with only just enough clearance, which is why I think the position of the flue needed to be changed to fit the new boiler. I'm also going to have to discuss this with my freeholder, as I think their permission would normally be needed beforehand for changing a flue hole.

I was wondering is it acceptable for the old flue hole to have been left like this? And is it reasonable for the installers not to have raised beforehand that the need to move the flue hole was a possibility given the amount of available space, given there is not generally freedom to drill through external walls in a leasehold flat? Is it urgent to get the hole repaired, or is it not a big deal if it's left like this for a few weeks? Does anyone here know what would be the most cost-effective approach to getting the hole repaired?

Thanks very much to anyone who can help.

jaybeetoo

That is dreadful.  That hole needs to be filled to protect the wall from the weather and birds.  I hope you haven’t paid them.

WIAWSNB

How high is it? How easy to get to?

On-the-coast

Agree - unacceptable. 

On a more general note, is that flue more than 2m below that dormer window?   Looks a bit close to me. 

Lorian

There are potentially other issues too.
Is the installer gas safe registered?

casper_gutman

The open hole from the old flue probably won't cause serious issues with water ingress if left like that for a short while. Given that it's tucked up under the eaves, little rain will get in and cavity walls are designed to cope with a little bit of water in the void.

It definitely needs to be repaired though, ASAP and definitely well before birds start nesting in the spring. The installer should have discussed this first, including options for repairing the redundant hole.

The best way to repair it would be to use a few spare bricks to match the rest of the wall. But that would probably be beyond the skills of a boiler fitter even if you had the bricks on hand. They'll probably just lob a blob of some kind of mortar in there, which will look rather unsightly and may not satisfy the freeholder.

The proximity of the flue to the openable roof window is another issue to address.

sheenas

Wow that is one dangerous install. The new flue is not sealed nor the old flue, both could allow Co2 into the house. Further the flue is less than 600mm from the window you have open? I would immediately get a Co2 meter if one was not provided and get this fixed. 

Eldi_Dos

The best material to fill the empty flue hole would have been the bricks removed when new hole was coredrilled.

Is that white plastic pipe around 12 courses down a new pipe and is it for the condensate?

daveyjp

So many issues it looks like a job which isn't finished.

Old hole still open, new flue not sealed, condensate pipe not plumbed to drain.  Odds are the new flue is installed at an incorrect angle too.

stuart45

Eldi_Dos said:

The best material to fill the empty flue hole would have been the bricks removed when new hole was coredrilled.

That's a great tip. I've got a customer who wants a door cut out around the side of the house and the old one bricked up. 

Boohoo

You said that the old flue hole was covered by the new boiler.

Do you know if the hole was filled in or was it air tight because if not wouldn't that let a draught in and maybe moisture?