What does this pipe do?

Tidyweb

Can anyone tell me what this pipe does.

It is leaking badly at the white connection as the pipe is damaged.

Can I just add in a qualpex pipe to connect the copper parts and do away with the white piece.

Thanks

The pressure in my system drops every few weeks, could this be connected.

sullzz

Looks like your condense pipe , shouldnt be in copper

gdavis

what make boiler is it?

Tidyweb

great.

its shouldnt be too hard to change the full pipe to qualpex.

Would that be OK.

Is it not just regular water running through it?

Tidyweb

Alpha CD 24S Gas boiler

gdavis

it should be a 22mm connection?u want 3/4 inch overflow pipe,the condensate is acidic and copper is not suitable,it looks to me like there is a fitting put on there to take it fromm 22 to 15 mm.if u turn boiler off and take the fitting off by loosening the round grooved nuts it should leave it so that overflow pipe will connect to it possibly by just pushing it into the hose,im not familiar with the boiler

Tidyweb

Thanks.

Do I need to bend a trap into the plastic pipe I use. I assume Qualpex is fine.

Cant believe plumber installed it.

No wounder I have a leak somwhere in system, was hoping this was it. Pressure keeps dropping every few weeks. UF heating so no chance of finding it.

gdavis

no there is a trap already there inside boiler casing.where does copper that is there now terminate? u may not have a leak,it could be an issue with expansion vessel for example.u may need to get plumber in to investigate/rule out/find/repair !

Tidyweb

it terminates just outside the house, dripping into the rainwater drain.

I have had the system checked and services but with no luck.

So I can just stick on some qualpex and run it outside the house to the same point?

Weylin

your soldered joints seem to be very "green", might be worth looking at for possible leak .

Tidyweb

water would appear if they were leaking, wouldnt it?

gdavis

qualpex is not suitable either,it should be 3/4 inch overflow pipe and when it gets outside building it should be 1 1/4 inch waste pipe to avoid freezing

Tidyweb

Cool.

Why not just 1 1/4 inch all the way to avoid a joint.

I kow its probably a silly question.

gdavis

u can do that too,although would seem like more work,breaking out bigger hole to outside etc. when u talk of joints they are just glued joints,once done properly will not leak,i dont understand ur issue with joints,u would still have joints on 1 1/4 pipe

Tidyweb

I dont have any problem.

Just not that experienced doing anything like this, but going to give it a shot.

Any advice appriciated.

gdavis

ok well if it were me,i would get a tin of wavin weld [glue],enough overflow pipe to do job.any 90 degree bends or straight connectors u may need for pipe run,some screw to wall brackets for the pipe,and if required,an inch and a quarter to three quarter inch glued reducer and whatever 1 1/4 pipe or bends u may need,the glue comes with a brush,do one joint at a time apply glue to both the pipe and fitting push pipe into fitting making sure it goes in full length of slip on fitting and use brush to wipe off any excess glue,i would advise u get a few straight connectors/sockets as if u make a mistake simply cut it out put on a socket and continue,just make sure boiler is off when u do it,u wont have any problems,hope this helps

Tidyweb

Brilliant. Thanks

Saved me a call out and maybe one day I will find out why the system is loosing pressure.

Nobody has found it for me.

gdavis

no bother,oh,and if u buying materials go to plumbing suppliers and not the likes of rip off b and q or woodies

Tidyweb

Thanks.

again.

PeteHeat

Hi,

By carrying out work on a gas appliance without being registered with RGII you leave yourself open to a fine of up to €5,000.00 and or 6 months in prison.

On the plus side you stated you had the boiler serviced so you can make a complaint to RGII as the rules about condensate pipe are the same for all gas boilers.

Regards,

Pete.

Tidyweb

strongly worded email and a bit of DIY.

Thanks

gdavis

i dont think by doing the condense line he is really carrying out "gas" work.he doesnt have to remove the boiler casing to undertake the work

A condens line is not covered by gas regs.

PeteHeat

gary71 wrote: »

A condens line is not covered by gas regs.

Hi Gary,

The way it was explained to me is anything even the water pipes going to a gas boiler must be fitted by an RGI.

I know the condensation pipe is a small job well within the capabilities of most DIY'ers in fact he will obviously do it better than the last gent who tried fitting it.

Could be my source is wrong or just another opinion among the inspectors.

gdavis

a plumber can install a heating system up to boiler without being rgi,obviously not the gas.or anyone can install it i suppose!

PeteHeat

gdavis wrote: »

a plumber can install a heating system up to boiler without being rgi,obviously not the gas.or anyone can install it i suppose!

I agree, however as it was explained to me plumber must not touch anything to do with the boiler even hang it on the wall.

As RGI's we are let down by the powers that be, our regs are not very informative, inspectors rely on opinion and not fact and our Willy has been known to make it up:eek:

Corgi tryed for years to bring the condensate line undergas regs, they couldn't and they had more in depth regs to work with.

Tidyweb

As i look a bit closer there are 4 bends.

Is there a flexible pipe that will do this jobs just as well.

Thanks

gdavis

just glue 4 bends on,as long as pipe is falling u r ok

Tidyweb

did it.

the pipes pushed on very tight and they volume of water is tiny - so didnt use the glue.

but worked.

Thanks

gdavis

id advise u to use the glue,will take five mins,the fittings are designed to be glued,the flow of condense will vary and chances are without glue u will have a leak eventually

sullzz

As gdavis said re-do it using glue , you will have a leak , its not just water flowing through this it contains traces of nitric and sulphurous acids which if leaks onto your floor is corrosive, at this stage i would get domeone in who is going to do the job as it is intended to be done

Tidyweb

Do you just paint the glue around the pipe, do you use much. Can it block the pipe when it dries.

I should have just done it has suggested. But I was afraid that once I used the glue and if there was any problems, I would be snookered.

Thanks.

gdavis

use brush to apply glue on pipe and in fitting,not much just "wet" it,push and twist,job done.wont cause obstruction when dry and if u do mess up u can cut pipe and use a straight connector/socket to repair

DGOBS

Or cut and dry fit everything, then glue