Is this Flue safe and legal

[gyro]

Hi
Im buying a new house where the boiler flue goes out the kitchen and into the conservatory, and then curves up and out the conservatory roof so it terminates outside. However, is it safe and legal to have the flue going into the conservatory like this? Is it still servicable?
Can it be made safer if the part which goes through the conservatory was boxed in, and if so, would special materials be needed for this?
Thanks in advance for your help

 

[lame plumber]

pictures then answers

 

[gyro]

unfortunately im not in the property yet so dont have pictures. I was hoping for some advice based on the description but i guess the key points i am after are:
- if the flue is a problem, can it be boxed around in the conservatory to make it safe from getting knocked
- What would be the conditions under which it would be deemed unsafe and unserviceable?

 

[lame plumber]

pictures pictures pictures!!

 

[gyro]

Im sorry, its not possible to get pictures in this instance. I really am just looking for help based on the info ive been able to give

 

[village idiot]

gyro, my gut feeling tells me that the legality of the flue outlet/route is not really your main problem. I suspect its the aesthetics that's causing you a headache.
If the flue route etc is really a problem, then post the pictures so these top girls and bouys can help you.

 

[Killy Bing]

What you're asking depends on a fair few things.

If it can have anything done it must be correctly installed to manufacturers instructions (the conservatory might have been installed afterwards so it very well might not)
if it does not then it would need to be altered before anything else.

What is the make or model of the boiler?
flueing differs between the brands.

As for boxing in again that might depend of the manufacturers instructions and what they allow.
also every joint must be readily accessible on the flue for inspection so the boxing needs to have access hatches.

your best bet is having one of us inspect it before you purchase the property.

 

[Dan Masey]

it can be boxed in, but all joints in the flue need to be visible through inspection holes, something like 300mm square. hardly worth boxing it in if there are bends ect as you'll end up having most of it cut away. just my opinion.

 

[gyro]

Ok... the property is based in wokingham. Completion is due to happen friday 22nd. How soon could this be done and how much would it cost?

 

[gyro]

If it was to be boxed in, would a special material need to be used?

 

[gyro]

The boiler is a potterton suprima, but dont know any additional model details

 

[village idiot]

Ok... the property is based in wokingham. Completion is due to happen friday 22nd. How soon could this be done and how much would it cost?

- How soon could this be done? It depends on the avialability of the various parts that will be needed. Parts for some old boilers may not be readily available, so there u go
- How much will it cost? Well, get THREE RGI's to attend and quote

 

[gyro]

I guess another question to ask are what are the options of extending the flue on a potterton suprima boiler?

 

[Dotty]

Pretty slim.

 

[village idiot]

if it is a Suprima, you may be looking at a new boiler.

 

[Mike Jackson]

Could be the HE version

 

[PlumbBobBob]

and if you need a new boiler you can have it moved somewhere else then the conservatory won't be an issue

 

[village idiot]

and if you need a new boiler you can have it moved somewhere else then the conservatory won't be an issue

couldn't put it better. Personally, even if it were the HE version, I'd rather walk away if the customer insisted on a new flue route. If we agree on a new boiler and a satisfactory location, then everyone is happy, including boiler manufacturer and supplier

 

[gyro]

So the issue we have is that we are buying a house which is pretty much issue free, although the homebuyer report said the boiler hadn't been serviced in the last few years and the sellers said they wouldn't get it serviced before they left. The plumber that went there said the boiler was perfect fine, but his one concern is that the 'flue and termination is not to current standards'. It does terminate outside the conservatory, but i dont know much more than that. The decision i have to make is whether i go ahead and purchase the house or whether this is a showstopper as it is likely to cost 2-3k to fix this in the next 5-10 years when the boiler gives in

 

[village idiot]

I'm afraid the decision is yours.
If your plumber says everything with the boiler is ok, 'cept for the flue. Have you tried finding out from him how much it will cost to rectify?

 

[Dotty]

So, to put it bluntly, you're prepared to spend roughly a couple of hundred grand on your dream home but not prepared to spend on the one appliance in the property that, if given half a chance, will kill you?

 

[AWheating]

put it to the seller that the boiler will need replacement soon and you will need a deduction to cover the cost.

its there fault if its a badly installed and maintained appliance afterall.

 

[lame plumber]

i so agree with AW

 

[gyro]

We have already tried the approach of asking for money off from the seller, but they arent willing to budge a penny.
croppie -Its not a case of willing to pay a lot for the house but not for the appliance. We have a mortgage to cover the cost of the house, but 2-3k is a lot to take out of pocket in one go. Thats 2-3k which after moving we wont have

The plumber has said it is safe and legal, but not up to current safety standards and based on that he wouldnt service it. He did say when it was put in however that it would have been within those safety standards before they changed.
He has estimated it would cost 2-3k to move the boiler elsewhere. Thats why i am asking whether the flue can just be extended and boxed in in the conservatory, as he cited these were the only issues stopping it being declared safe.

 

[Dotty]

He has estimated it would cost 2-3k to move the boiler elsewhere. Thats why i am asking whether the flue can just be extended and boxed in in the conservatory, as he cited these were the only issues stopping it being declared safe.

No. Frying pan. Fire.

 

[village idiot]

if it will cost £2-3K to move the same boiler, I;d suggest you just buy a new boiler.
Being you are not in a position to provide a picture, it is hard to give you a definate reply about the flue.
How about getting another plumber to visit, look at the boiler and then hear what he/she says? Bear in mind, he may visit and turn off the boiler saying it is ID as opposed to NCS. Beware

 

[gyro]

sorry, i should have been clearer, he said 2-3k in all for a new boiler and for it to be moved. He also said that getting it serviced isnt worth while as it doesnt really do much to the boiler in terms of extending its life. It just identifies if faults are imminent, so we would probably avoid getting it serviced in the near term (if we did purchase) to ensure it didnt get turned off

 

[lame plumber]

if it is really dangerous that isnt a sensible option, bit like leaving faulty brakes until the mot in 9 months time

 

[village idiot]

I really would get another plumber to look at it.
If something is ''ill'', you treat it. What I am trying to imply is that if the boiler is just manageable to the point where you will not service it or turn it off till it 'dies', then the best option open to your plumber is to give it a good service.
The fact he is refusing to get his name anywhere near the boiler is reason for you to worry.
As I said earlier, chances are if you get another plumber in, he may visit, take the view that the boiler is Immediately Dangerous (as opposed to Not to Current Standards) and isolate it. Then you really will have no choice but to get a new boiler.
If I were you, I'd start saving for a new boiler. Question is: Do you want a boiler now, or in the middle of Dec/Jan when it will be ice cold and most plumbers will be exceptionally busy, assuming the snow lets them out of their mansions?

 

[SafeGasInstall]

more likely is ILLEGAL and unsafe

 

[stevetheplumber]

personally i wouldnt worry about it if the boiler is classed as ncs it not vaugely dangerous as there are to classifications of risk above that classification probably half the boilers over 10 years old are ncs if its the house for you buy it and move the boiler in two years time when you have the cash
if your realy worried get a second opinion but chances are it will still only be ncs
by the way ncs is is not to current standards
if its the look your concerned about yes it can be boxed in subject to the regs being complied with

 

[tamz]

The fact he is refusing to get his name anywhere near the boiler is reason for you to worry.

Probably just installs and doesn't do service or repair as from this

he said 2-3k in all for a new boiler and for it to be moved. He also said that getting it serviced isnt worth while as it doesnt really do much to the boiler in terms of extending its life. It just identifies if faults are imminent,

It can't be that bad Stan if all he could pull it on is NCS. I'm sure if he wanted a sale he would have AR'd or ID'd it.

 

[village idiot]

i did tell him to start saving for a new boiler, just because the plumber says all is ok is not to say the boiler may not fail shortly after they move in. Sometimes, luck may not be on your side. If he only does installs, what reason did he have for being there

 

[Ermintrude]

Just negotiate a 3 k reduction. But fishy buyer won't get it serviced! I would budget on a new boiler if flue has been bodged in by conservatory lads or a plumber it's probably going to be a rongun!

Do u take ur car to get mot and then not get mot because bloke at garage said your brakes are shot. Engineer is a mug! It's his duty of care to highlight issues and ensure you are SAFE. He shouldn't turn away! Hope you don't have any kids, be a horrific find one day if when in your new house they didn't wake up because it was better not to service boiler.

 

[AWheating]

you wouldnt buy a car with a dodgy engine? why buy a house with a dodgy boiler? call the seller's bluff, if hes happy to neglect the gas appliances in his property then what else is in need of attention?