Enclosed Boiler

Alicano

Hi All.
First time poster in these parts. Quick bit of advice if possible please? Currently house hunting and I think we would be bidding on one we like this coming week. However the boiler is fully enclosed behind the fireplace wall / above the hearth. If I'm being clear? I've had the boiler in this location before in my previous place but it could be accessed from the side by a small wood door. Am I right to think it's a bit strange for the boiler to be fully enclosed and non accessible like this?
How big a job is it to change that? It's an old house if that explains the odd location of the boiler?
Many thanks in advance for any info. As stated, we like this house but don't want to be cursing myself when I'm trying to service / fix the boiler in future.
Cheers.

DGOBS

Is it directly behind the fire (we call this a BBU, back boiler unit)
If so, yes a good bit of plumbing required to move as gas and water pipework would be required

A picture tells a thousand words, if possible

sky6

Is it the Boiler or the Cylinder you're talking about as I know a lot of people call the Cylinder the boiler. As said a picture would be a great help.

Alicano

Hi All,
Thanks for the reply's. Discussing with my Father, it would seem it's a cylinder. Afraid I don't have photo's as it was post viewing when we asked. It would just look like a regular fireplace with the addition of a digital thermostat at the side.
That's all a bit new to me, but in general are these set up's problematic? Am i setting myself up for a big job in the short-medium term?
Many thanks.

Jimmy_M

This was common way of feeding central heating system... back before natural gas was piped straight to people's front door.

You really only see it now in older houses that have not been retro fitted with oil or gas ... Ive never seen a back boiler where you COULD acces it without taking out the fire. There was one in my house but it was decommissioned when mains gas was installed (before i bought it).

Decomissioned = cut the pipes feeding the rads (there was a load of pipes boxed of by a timber running the vertical legth of the alsove besdie the fireplace) and drill hoes in the boiler (cylinder) - it was never actually taken out.

Having said all that its not the most efficient way of heating a house, so if i were you id be more worried about getting rid of it rather than wondering if it will be a nightmare to service.

Alicano

Many thanks for the detailed reply Jimmy M. I think I'll have to bring a Plumber with me to view and give me a guideline as to potential problems, costs etc.
Pity really as everything else in the house was renovated in '09.
Again, thanks for the response.