decommissing Back Boiler

dewdrop

I am upgrading my gas central heating system and have been told i will have to get rid of my ancient open fire back boiler. I gather ideally the boiler should be removed but this costs money and is messy. Alternatively it can be sealed off, holes drilled etc by a competent person. Is the latter route safe as apart from the money i dont want to ensure all the work which would ensue if the boiler was removed

DoneDL

Drain the boiler down and drill holes on the bottom and top of the back boiler and if possible leave the existing flow and return pipes open. But a word of caution, this will mean that the fireplace will not meet building regulations as being suitable for use as an open fire.

Stove Fan

It would be best removed entirely. This is the safest option. If the boiler had holes drilled in it and the flow pipes left open you could get fumes and co poisoning leaking out if the fire was lit. (It could happen)
I would remove and sell the old boiler and fit a new stove with boiler with the new gas boiler upgrade.:D

Stove Fan:)

DoneDL

Apologies Stove Fan I was refering to the pipes being open in the wall and rendered over which still would not meet regs but was a common way of decommissioning.

dewdrop

Thanks for replies. Any idea of the approx cost if i decided to get the boiler removed.,

Stove Fan

dewdrop wrote: »

Thanks for replies. Any idea of the approx cost if i decided to get the boiler removed.,

Hi,

A picture would help:). If it has a timber surround and a cast iron insert it should be fairly straitforward. Remove surround, pull out cast insert. Cut pipes on boiler and remove and refit the new fireback and infill etc. Only problem would be if the infill fell out while removing boiler. Unlikely as it should have some cement in it and sort of solidified. This infill was fitted to new clay lined flues.

Stove Fan:)