FEATURE: BOILERS & CONTROLS | HIP
FROZEN CONDENSATE PIPES? When a gas boiler is operating correctly, it produces slightly acidic water as a by-product known as condensate. This is removed from the boiler by a condensate pipe. In cold weather it’s possible for this pipe to freeze, which could affect the boiler working.
T
here is no need for you or your customers to worry. Here are three easy steps from Worcester Bosch on how to easily unfreeze a frozen condensate pipe!
STEP 01
LOCATE THE CONDENSATE PIPE
You can also suggest the following to your customers to minimise the risk of future freezing: ■ Suggest re-routing the pipe so that it terminates internally. This is the preferred method ■ Ensure the pipe run is as short as possible externally
■ If it’s outdoors it’ll be fixed to a wall emptying into a drainage system or soakaway ■ If indoors it will be underneath your boiler
■ Increase the pipe diameter
STEP 02
■ Fit a trace heating kit to the pipe externally
■ If outdoors pour warm water onto the pipe ■ If indoors, wrap the pipe in a hot water bottle
■ Consider the possibility of an air break on the pipework reducing the risk of the boiler being adversely affected by a frozen condensate pipe
THAW THE PIPE OUT
STEP 03
RESET THE BOILER ■ Quite simply, reset the boiler and if it starts running normally again then the issue is resolved!
■ Increase the angle of fall of the pipework ■ Eliminate bends on the external pipework
“WHERE POSSIBLE, RE-ROUTING PIPEWORK SO THAT IT TERMINATES INTERNALLY, WILL REDUCE THE RISK OF PIPES FREEZING.”
DID YOU KNOW?
In cold weather, it’s possible for the condensate pipe to freeze and stop the boiler from working properly.
For more information about Worcester Bosch visit: www.worcester-bosch.co.uk
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