Boiler in utility room.

from_atozinc · 23-10-2015 9:11pm #1

Hi

Just moved in to a rented house and the oil boiler (firebird S 90-120 ) is in the utility room near washing machine and dryer etc.

Do people think this is a bit strange / unhygienic ?

When the boiler is turned on, the smell in the utility room is not too pleasant..........but that may be because the boiler has not been turned on in months maybe.

roy rodgers · 23-10-2015 9:29pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

Hi

Just moved in to a rented house and the oil boiler (firebird S 90-120 ) is in the utility room near washing machine and dryer etc.

Do people think this is a bit strange / unhygienic ?

When the boiler is turned on, the smell in the utility room is not too pleasant..........but that may be because the boiler has not been turned on in months maybe.

There should be no smell. What does is smell like

Get the landlord to get the boiler checked out and get a carbon monoxide alarm for your self!

jimf · 23-10-2015 9:29pm

you should have no smell from your boiler when its in use get onto to your landlord to have this boiler serviced asap

for your safety don't use it until this is done

from_atozinc · 24-10-2015 6:42am

roy rodgers wrote: »

There should be no smell. What does is smell like

Get the landlord to get the boiler checked out and get a carbon monoxide alarm for your self!

Hi. Thanks for reply. It just smells like oil / fuel.

Is a carbon monoxide alarm definitely the thing I need ?

Dtp1979 · 24-10-2015 8:01am

from_atozinc wrote: »

Hi. Thanks for reply. It just smells like oil / fuel.

Is a carbon monoxide alarm definitely the thing I need ?

A good service is what you need and yes, a carbon monoxide alarm

from_atozinc · 24-10-2015 8:44am

Dtp1979 wrote: »

A good service is what you need and yes, a carbon monoxide alarm

Thanks for input.

roy rodgers · 24-10-2015 12:55pm

Sounds like the flue is leaking fumes into the room not a good idea. The carbon monoxide alarm will only tell you that for sure but it really needs to looked at asap

from_atozinc · 25-10-2015 8:36pm

roy rodgers wrote: »

Sounds like the flue is leaking fumes into the room not a good idea. The carbon monoxide alarm will only tell you that for sure but it really needs to looked at asap

Carbon monoxide alarm has been installed for over 24 hours now and no alarm - and I tested it and all that.

So does this mean there is nothing wrong with boiler ?

Dtp1979 · 25-10-2015 9:18pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

Carbon monoxide alarm has been installed for over 24 hours now and no alarm - and I tested it and all that.

So does this mean there is nothing wrong with boiler ?

No that just means it's not leaking carbon monoxide. I've seen new boilers pump out huge levels of CO.

agusta · 25-10-2015 9:40pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

Carbon monoxide alarm has been installed for over 24 hours now and no alarm - and I tested it and all that.

So does this mean there is nothing wrong with boiler ?

Incorrect,carbon monoxide alarms will not alert you of low levels of carbon monoxide,carbon monoxide alarms keep people from dying,they dont eliminate all health risks.
there are numerous studies saying that low levels of carbon monoxide cause health problems

from_atozinc · 25-10-2015 9:42pm

Dtp1979 wrote: »

No that just means it's not leaking carbon monoxide. I've seen new boilers pump out huge levels of CO.

I don't get your post. I thought Carbon monoxide was the same as CO.

Dtp1979 · 25-10-2015 9:45pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

I don't get your post. I thought Carbon monoxide was the same as CO.

It is. Just cause the aka doesn't go off doesn't mean your burner is burning properly. As in if a new boiler was installed, was pumping out dangerous fumes then it's potentially dangerous. if a seal broke inside, the fumes would probably kill somebody in the house

from_atozinc · 25-10-2015 9:50pm

Dtp1979 wrote: »

It is. Just cause the aka doesn't go off doesn't mean your burner is burning properly. As in if a new boiler was installed, was pumping out dangerous fumes then it's potentially dangerous. if a seal broke inside, the fumes would probably kill somebody in the house

Pardon my ignorance.

If it's not burning properly, then it should be giving off fumes which in turn should set off the Carbon monoxide alarm ?

agusta · 25-10-2015 9:54pm

A carbon monoxide alarm will not go off under 30 ppm and even from 30 ppm to 70 ppm the alarm may take a long time to go off.
You could have 25 ppm in the room and the alarm will not go off.this can cause health problems

agusta · 25-10-2015 10:00pm

Your boiler should be serviced in conjunction with a flue gas analyzer and tested for leaks with a flue gas analyser and a room test done for co.,its good to have a carbon monoxide alarm in place too as it may save your life

Dtp1979 · 25-10-2015 10:00pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

Pardon my ignorance.

If it's not burning properly, then it should be giving off fumes which in turn should set off the Carbon monoxide alarm ?

only if the fumes are leaked into the room

jimf · 25-10-2015 10:09pm

the best way to approach co is no level is a good level

have a read of this link to give u an understanding of what you dealing with

http://www.carbon-monoxide-poisoning.com/article1-co-levels.html

JamesM · 26-10-2015 8:37pm

You probably have a slight oil leak or weep. A service is a good idea and should sort it out.
Jim.

from_atozinc · 26-10-2015 8:59pm

JamesM wrote: »

You probably have a slight oil leak or weep. A service is a good idea and should sort it out.
Jim.

Thanks Jim.

astrofool · 26-10-2015 9:16pm

CO itself is odourless, so if there's a smell in the room, it's likely coming from something else (not that CO may not be present as well). Does it smell like the oil is leaking somewhere?

A good CO alarm should flash when there's low levels of CO and flashing gets faster as the CO level goes up.

agusta · 26-10-2015 10:58pm

astrofool wrote: »

CO itself is odourless, so if there's a smell in the room, it's likely coming from something else (not that CO may not be present as well). Does it smell like the oil is leaking somewhere?

A good CO alarm should flash when there's low levels of CO and flashing gets faster as the CO level goes up.

A good co alarm will not go off if co is less than 30ppm

from_atozinc · 27-10-2015 10:55pm

I'm wondering though, hearing has not been on in about 6 months. So would this contribute to the smell a bit.

jimf · 27-10-2015 11:04pm

simple answer no

Jen44 · 03-11-2015 12:31pm

I just bought a house with an oil boiler always had gas before. The first time we put the heating on there was a fuel kinda of smell, the boiler had just been serviced before we moved in. Anyhow after a day or so of the heating coming on and off there has been no further issue with smell. The house was vacant for a year before we moved in

Wearb · 03-11-2015 12:50pm

Jen44 wrote: »

I just bought a house with an oil boiler always had gas before. The first time we put the heating on there was a fuel kinda of smell, the boiler had just been serviced before we moved in. Anyhow after a day or so of the heating coming on and off there has been no further issue with smell. The house was vacant for a year before we moved in

Are you certain it has been serviced or just been told it was recently serviced? Do you have a service report?

It no to the above, it might be better having it looked at.

vrrv · 03-11-2015 1:29pm

Shouldn't be a smell unless slightest of kerosene! Check it out!!!

Walter Becket · 03-11-2015 1:36pm

Jen44 wrote: »

I just bought a house with an oil boiler always had gas before. The first time we put the heating on there was a fuel kinda of smell, the boiler had just been serviced before we moved in. Anyhow after a day or so of the heating coming on and off there has been no further issue with smell. The house was vacant for a year before we moved in

There is a seal that is sometimes repaired with aluminium tape during a service the glue on it can smell for a while.

from_atozinc · 03-11-2015 2:47pm

What tradesman would service an oil boiler ? or is the job just called a boiler specialist ?

Wearb · 03-11-2015 3:39pm

If not through a recommendation, then Oftec.org is a good way to find a boiler technician. Or post your location here and we might be able to recommend someone.
Just make sure that whoever does it, gives you a service report which should have an electronic printout of the combustion gasses properties attached.

from_atozinc · 03-11-2015 5:08pm

Wearb wrote: »

If not through a recommendation, then Oftec.org is a good way to find a boiler technician. Or post your location here and we might be able to recommend someone.
Just make sure that whoever does it, gives you a service report which should have an electronic printout of the combustion gasses properties attached.

Thanks, but like, can a plumber service a boiler or is it someone else entirely ?

And yeah, looking for a person that can service a boiler in the Galway area

Wearb · 03-11-2015 5:56pm

Most plumbers "can" service them, but not all of them have the modern equipment and training necessary to get the best out of your boiler. That was the reason for my long-winded reply; to help you identify what you need to look out for.

I am in the opposite end of the country, but someone here may be able to recommend someone in your area.

from_atozinc · 03-11-2015 7:07pm

Wearb wrote: »

Most plumbers "can" service them, but not all of them have the modern equipment and training necessary to get the best out of your boiler. That was the reason for my long-winded reply; to help you identify what you need to look out for.

I am in the opposite end of the country, but someone here may be able to recommend someone in your area.

Thanks again

from_atozinc · 09-11-2015 9:58am

from_atozinc wrote: »

And yeah, looking for a person that can service a boiler in the Galway area

Anyone have any recommendations here ?

from_atozinc · 09-11-2015 3:56pm

Anybody ever use this lad:

http://www.theboilerman.ie/about/about.htm

Dtp1979 · 09-11-2015 4:32pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

Anybody ever use this lad:

http://www.theboilerman.ie/about/about.htm

How much for the service?

from_atozinc · 09-11-2015 4:55pm

Dtp1979 wrote: »

How much for the service?

85 Euro

Dtp1979 · 09-11-2015 6:47pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

85 Euro

Ask how long a service takes.

from_atozinc · 10-11-2015 10:10am

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Ask how long a service takes.

why , is there something fishy about the 85 Euro charge?

Wearb · 10-11-2015 10:46am

I would be worried that the combustion chamber, baffles and flue ways aren't properly cleaned. This is the most time consuming and dirtiest part of the service. This area isn't well mentioned on the website. Make out a list of half a dozen important questions to ask before hiring.

Price seems ok.

Dtp1979 · 10-11-2015 7:33pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

why , is there something fishy about the 85 Euro charge?

Not necessarily but there's some Cowboys out there charging 80-90 euro and spending 20 mins servicing a boiler.

from_atozinc · 12-11-2015 12:55pm

Thanks DTP.

I also have another issue. The radiators(oil) by and large work fine, they all heat up fine except for 2 of them.

The 2 that don't heat up are upstairs, other radiators upstairs work fine.

What happens these 2 radiators is only the bottom inch or so of the radiator gets hot, the rest does not get hot at all.

Any ideas on this?

cruizer101 · 12-11-2015 1:15pm

That sounds like they need to be bled, easy enough job, plenty of videos on youtube explaining it.

Basically there is big air bubble trapped in them which means the hot water is not filling it up, there is valve at the top which allows bleeding the air out.

That said, only bottom inch or so sounds like a lot of air, I'm not plumber or that so maybe one can advise if that is normal.

Dtp1979 · 12-11-2015 1:15pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

Thanks DTP.

I also have another issue. The radiators(oil) by and large work fine, they all heat up fine except for 2 of them.

The 2 that don't heat up are upstairs, other radiators upstairs work fine.

What happens these 2 radiators is only the bottom inch or so of the radiator gets hot, the rest does not get hot at all.

Any ideas on this?

Just bleed the radiator

Wearb · 12-11-2015 1:22pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

Thanks DTP.

I also have another issue. The radiators(oil) by and large work fine, they all heat up fine except for 2 of them.

The 2 that don't heat up are upstairs, other radiators upstairs work fine.

What happens these 2 radiators is only the bottom inch or so of the radiator gets hot, the rest does not get hot at all.

Any ideas on this?

Make sure you have enough pressure on the system, if its a sealed system. If its air in those rads, you will also have to re pressurise after bleeding so much air out, "bottom inch or so of the radiator gets hot"

from_atozinc · 12-11-2015 1:25pm

Wearb wrote: »

Make sure you have enough pressure on the system, if its a sealed system. If its air in those rads, you will also have to re pressurise after bleeding so much air out, "bottom inch or so of the radiator gets hot"

is the re pressurising a big job ?
who can do it or whats involved etc

Wearb · 12-11-2015 1:30pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

is the re pressurising a big job ?
who can do it or whats involved etc

Is it a sealed system? ie do you have a small tank in attic or an expansion vessel (red metal tank).

Anyway it's not a big job.

from_atozinc · 12-11-2015 1:54pm

Wearb wrote: »

Is it a sealed system? ie do you have a small tank in attic or an expansion vessel (red metal tank).

Anyway it's not a big job.

im not sure. sorry.

from_atozinc · 12-11-2015 2:04pm

cruizer101 wrote: »

That sounds like they need to be bled, easy enough job, plenty of videos on youtube explaining it.

Basically there is big air bubble trapped in them which means the hot water is not filling it up, there is valve at the top which allows bleeding the air out.

That said, only bottom inch or so sounds like a lot of air, I'm not plumber or that so maybe one can advise if that is normal.

I had a look at some YouTube videos and they all describe a key that has to be inserted to let the air out.

I could not find any place to insert a key in my radiators.

See attached picture. In thinking I need to twist the little screw here with a screwdriver to let the air out. But not sure. Radiator brand is Purmo.

Wearb · 12-11-2015 2:57pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

im not sure. sorry.

Perhaps a pic of the hot press might shed some light.

Wearb · 12-11-2015 3:02pm

from_atozinc wrote: »

I had a look at some YouTube videos and they all describe a key that has to be inserted to let the air out.

I could not find any place to insert a key in my radiators.

See attached picture. In thinking I need to twist the little screw here with a screwdriver to let the air out. But not sure. Radiator brand is Purmo.

That is the bleed screw. Don't use it until you work out how the system top up works. The pic might help.

When bleeding, turn the white part 180° so that the little hole is at bottom. Have a rag held beneath it. Then turn the silver screw about 270° anticlockwise and wait for the water. Then turn it back to where it was. Don't turn the bleed screw too far anticlockwise or it will pop out and then the fun will start.

from_atozinc · 12-11-2015 3:35pm

Wearb wrote: »

That is the bleed screw. Don't use it until you work out how the system top up works. The pic might help.

When bleeding, turn the white part 180° so that the little hole is at bottom. Have a rag held beneath it. Then turn the silver screw about 270° anticlockwise and wait for the water. Then turn it back to where it was. Don't turn the bleed screw too far anticlockwise or it will pop out and then the fun will start.

ok, thanks.

So essentially I don't need any special tool to bleed it, just a standard screwdriver, yeah ?

Boiler in utility room.

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