Possible Problem with Condensate Pipe New Combi Install

[eimaj12000]

Hi,


Hopefully someone can offer some advice. Recently we had a new Combi Boiler fitted (a Worcester Greenstar 28 Condensor Boiler). The engineer decided it was best to install the condensate pipe under the floor to prevent freezing.


A couple of days after the install we left for a short break before Christmas. We've been back 3-4 days and now there is a Sulphur smell from the upstairs bathroom which appears to be coming from the taps ? The smell has been getting worse. Initially thinking it was just a general pipe problem with our plumbing, I tried cleaning all the u-bends etc. which hasn't helped. The strange thing is that it doesn't just seem to be a smell. If I run hot water from the bath and dip say a sponge into it and then smell the spong the sulphur-type smell is overpowering so it seems as though it's somehow in the water ?



Anyway, after asking around and some googling (as well as plain logic), I'm wondering if this could be incorrect fitting of the condensate pipe ? I've included a detailed diagram along with some photos taken of how this was installed (all fitted by Gas Safe engineers under the Warm Home scheme in Scotland). I wonder if someone can spot a problem with how this has been assembled as prior to this there were absolutely no issues at all with any smell or water quality ???



Also, we have an open pipe behind the washing machine/dishwasher with their waste pipes just shoved down into it - is this ok ?


From what I can see, the condensate pipe joins to this open vented pipe and is well after the sink u-bend/trap - should it be BEFORE the trap ? The condensate pipe itself runs down from the boiler, then up, down again to the pipe which has bends also - could these dips in the pipe cause a problem at all ?




Any information would be greatly appreciated since I can sense some problems ahead with getting these guys to fix anything - it'd be good to be armed with some knowledge beforehand.


Thanks in advance

 

[tamz]

Re: Problem with condensate pipe ???? Terrible salty/sewer smell from upstairs bathr

It is unlikely to be boiler related but ring them anyway.

You do however need a trap on your washing machine pipe as it is open to the sewer.
Something like a WM3 (mcalpine)

 

[Killy Bing]

Re: Smell after combi install - another condensate pipe problem ???

Is there a trap on the washing machine upstand?

 

[Centralheatking]

In order to help you - (your diagram is ace ) but it does not show the levels - CHk

 

[village idiot]

I'm impressed by your diagrams. Apart from the diagram showing that the condensate pipe from boiler to washing machine drain pipe seems to be ''climbing'', I do not see any problems with the set up (except that the condensate pipe should be constantly falling. Considering it is fitted indoors, why were they worried about the pipe freezing?

 

[village idiot]

Re: Smell after combi install - another condensate pipe problem ???

eimaj, why do you feel the need to have two of the same post?

 

[mountainman]

The condensate pipe is part of the boiler flue and should therefore not be open to atmosphere within the property.
Your drawing appears to show it incorrectly installed.
Get the installation company back imo.

 

[village idiot]

Re: Problem with condensate pipe ???? Terrible salty/sewer smell from upstairs bathr

I do not know if you are just trying to increase your post count, but there really is no need to post THREE posts of the same information? I reckon the fourth and fifth are on their way.
You are not deliberately trying to upset croppie or spoil his festive holiday, are you?

 

[tamz]

Re: Smell after combi install - another condensate pipe problem ???

3 actually

 

[village idiot]

Re: Smell after combi install - another condensate pipe problem ???

she knows croppie is on holiday

 

[Dotty]

OP. You only need ask the question once. I have merged all the answers into this thread and deleted the others.

 

[tamz]

The condensate pipe is part of the boiler flue and should therefore not be open to atmosphere within the property.
Your drawing appears to show it incorrectly installed.
Get the installation company back imo.

Only applies if the boiler doesn't have a trap. A worcester does.

 

[eimaj12000]

Hi - apologies for the double post I had posted firstly here and after reading thought it may be better placed in the pipes/fittings section but was then unable to delete the first post !

Thanks for taking the time to look - the washing machine drain pipe does have a u-bend also (forgot to include that). The condensate pipe definitely DOES climb and fall at some points.

In short it comes across under the floor, climbs to where it is tie-gripped to another section of pipe and then comes down before rising slightly again and lowering just before the clamp fitting. Could this maybe be causing the issue i.e. gravity somehow affecting things ? I've checked all U-bends etc. and other than the normal slight build-up of crud nothing unusual. Obviously I don't want to touch too much.

They originally wanted to run the pipe straight out through the wall but opted for the under-floor setup as this was said to be less likely to freeze.

The strange thing is this issue has only been since the boiler installation - there has never been a smell or anything prior to this. The bathroom which is affected is directly above the sink under which the condensate pipe is installed - could it be related to the routing of the pipe or is this something else ? One thing I should say - on checking the washing machine/dishwasher drain pipe and removing the u-bend there was a 'hiss' sound which never occurred with any u-bend - does that have any relevance ?

 

[eimaj12000]

Apologies for the post thing - I had thought I'd only posted once here and once in the other section as mentioned. Anything else has been an error on my part - I had some issues with the image etc. and hence must have accidentally reposted the same thing.

 

[Dotty]

It's ok Jamie, I'll let you live this time...... Season of good will and all that....... :santa5:

 

[mountainman]

Only applies if the boiler doesn't have a trap. A worcester does.

You could well be right Tamz but we AR installations like that dahn sarf. 🙂

 

[eimaj12000]

I've been having a look again and it seems as if the smell is definitely coming from the upstairs bath overflow and plug hole and/or the sink overflow plug hole ? Just wondering - would a leak or similar in the condensate pipework cause any issues ? just as there are a fair amount of joins and fittings there ?

 

[AWheating]

I've been having a look again and it seems as if the smell is definitely coming from the upstairs bath overflow and plug hole and/or the sink overflow plug hole ? Just wondering - would a leak or similar in the condensate pipework cause any issues ? just as there are a fair amount of joins and fittings there ?

Does not sound reLated to the condense pipe work tbh although you still have not told us if the washing machine standpipe has a water seal?

 

[AWheating]

You could well be right Tamz but we AR installations like that dahn sarf. 🙂

Is this not a building regs problem?

 

[TomLane]

Thanks for taking the time to look - the washing machine drain pipe does have a u-bend also (forgot to include that). The condensate pipe definitely DOES climb and fall at some points.
?

Does not sound reLated to the condense pipe work tbh although you still have not told us if the washing machine standpipe has a water seal?

Mentioned the WM upstand here!

I would defo be getting the installers back if you have concerns. Failing that get another GSR to come in & assess the situation to either put your mind at rest about the condensate or confirm that there is an issue.