Condensate pipe terminates into neighbours gutter, is this ok?

[Fiona]

Hi everyone! We recently had a new condensing combi boiler installed but the downstairs neighbours are concerned the condensate pipe has not been installed correctly and will cause damage. It runs outside, drops about 2m to run off in their bay window gutter. We will eventually run the pipe internally in a year or so when we redo the kitchen but wanted to make sure that the current installation of the condensate pipe is adequate/correct until we can relocate it to inside. Is this current install ok? If not, what alternatives are there for a temporary external install?

Thanks so much for your help!

Fiona

 

[steadyon]

You can't run condensate into a rainwater run off unless its a shared (foul and surface water) sewer system. Condensate is mildly acidic and should be run into a foul sewer or through a condensate neutraliser into a soakaway.

In addition, when run externally it should be in 32mm or 40mm pipe, not overflow pipe (as yours is), which is narrow and likely to freeze in winter.

You can get condensate pumps, and possibly one of these could be fitted and used to pump the condensate to a suitable outlet on your own property.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Also while we are at it, it does not look like you flue has been sealed correctly externally.

 

[Harvest Fields]

And what is the pipe on the right hand side for?

 

[gassafe]

If it's not your property gutter then I understand the neighbours concern, not to mention it looks a real mess & a poor installation.

I'd suggest an internal condensate pump

 

[Best]

Crikey! That's an eyesore, temporary or not! And the higher it exits, the more pipe is showing.
Why was it not done temporary internally into your existing kitchen?

 

[Fiona]

Thanks so much for your replies everyone. Unfortunately it hasn't left me feeling very confident about our installer especially if the flue hasn't sealed correctly also.

We live in London so that's why he thought a thicker pipe wouldn't be necessary maybe?

Harvest Fields - from what I was told it is a pipe to take care of overheating and has been connected to the new boiler. It runs down the property and into a gully.

Gassafe - Technically it is, because its two flats in a converted terrace house and both have share of freehold. So if any damage were to occur whether our fault or not we would be responsible for costs to rectify.

Best - After emailing our installer about it initially afterwards he said "it can be installed into your kitchen waste pipe but it would be on show in your kitchen which i was trying to avoid". At the time I appreciated his efforts as there is no clearance and he would need to cut into the worktop but now its looking like he will have to come back and do this anyway.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Any chance of a few pics of the boiler / install itself?

 

[Fiona]

I'm not at home but got my partner to send these through...

 

[ShaunCorbs]

If you don't mind ball park figure on how much you paid

Also have a look in the back of the manufactur instructions, you should see a section called benchmark is this filled out ?

 

[Fiona]

it was £2500 for new boiler and 3 new radiator valves from what I can remember. I don't have the paperwork on me so will have to wait until I get home to double check. He came recommended from a electrician we know so very surprised he hasn't done things right. We've got him coming back on Friday morning to fix the pipe (move it internally) and he said this about the flue -

"the external flue has a rubber seal which is an internal fitting kit which is sufficient as per manufacturer instructions and made good with cement internally"

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Sounds a bit much for a low end boiler (mean low low end)

Has he flushed the central heating system

Also his statement would be true if there isn't a gap all the way round (as you can see in your pics)

 

[Harvest Fields]

To be honest not the worst install I have seen, but could be a lot more tidy. Running the condense pipe to the sink would not have made that much difference to you looking at that. Should always be ran internally where possible and that is definitely possible. There is a few basic things that should have been done really. I would call him back to fix them.

 

[Darren Jackson]

it was £2500 for new boiler and 3 new radiator valves from what I can remember. I don't have the paperwork on me so will have to wait until I get home to double check. He came recommended from a electrician we know so very surprised he hasn't done things right. We've got him coming back on Friday morning to fix the pipe (move it internally) and he said this about the flue -

"the external flue has a rubber seal which is an internal fitting kit which is sufficient as per manufacturer instructions and made good with cement internally"

Hi Fiona and welcome to the forum, I'm sorry to say this but your installer is talking a load of rubbish!
1, The flue has to be sealed internally and externally, yours is not sufficiently sealed externally. (risk of dangerous products of combustion entering the building and cavity.
2, Incorrect external condensate pipe size ( risk of freezing & not to manufactures spec or regulations.
3, Incorrect condensate termination, not to manufactures spec or regulations.

If they could not even get the condensate discharge correct and seal the flue correctly I dread to think what other corners they have cut!
May suggest you ring Gas Safe & ask them to inspect the installation it is a free service & tell them you are concerned about the installation.

Also there is a kitchen sink & a washing machine just below the boiler why on earth did they just not drill a 22mm hole in the back of your work top and simply connect the condensate to your internal waste from the sink or Washing machine is beyond me.

 

[Fiona]

Hi Darren, Thanks for your feedback. We have him booked in to fix the pipe this Friday morning. Would it be worth contacting Gas Safe (he is registered) before or after then?

 

[Darren Jackson]

As long as they address the main points we have raised & do not charge you any money for correcting the faults and you are happy with the install then maybe not. Just incase you did not know this but all boilers have to be registered and your installer will do this for you, You will receive a certificate from Gas Safe themselves usually in a week or two, a month at the most.If you do not get one through the post then ring Gas Safe to make sure it has been registered and ask then for the free inspection. You will also need this for the guarantee. You have in my opinion all ready well over paid for the work) and that boiler is just a cheap budget low end (£450 Inc timer & Flue) thing that most installers would not even dream of supplying. And For the money you have paid I hope they spent a day power flushing the system before the new boiler went in, used a good quality cleanser & inhibitor chemicals and they installed a magnaclean filter which is pretty much standard practice nowadays.

 

[gpbeck]

This is why we need this forum.
Is the long discharge pipe 'cos he didn't have a ladder?

 

[Admin]

I'm not a plumber or gas engineer but that white pipe not being straight is causing OCD issues. Lol

 

[Chalked]

Anyone notice the 15mm gas.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Anyone notice the 15mm gas.

Yep but depending on a few as its only a 24kw combi should be ok