Boiler Condensate Trap

fran426ft

Hi All,

We're just in the process of moving into a house that we've bought. It was previously a holiday home and didn't have a washing machine. We had one delivered yesterday and when I went to install it I realised the condensate drain from the boiler was plumber to the waste pipe intended for a washing machine. There was an old condensate trap near by but it was disconnected for some reason so this wasn't the way it was originally. The boiler is a Grant Vortex condensing boiler.

Anyone know why this might have been done and if there are any problems with it like this?

As the waste pipe is needed for the washing machine we need to have another route for the condensate. Rather than just splitting the waste pipe I'm assuming the correct way to do this would be to reinstate a condensate trap.... after all it must have been there for a good reason? It's probably something I could do myself but as we'll probably have the boiler serviced anyway I might get the plumber to look at this at the same time. I just wanted to get some feedback on options so I'm sure it is done the right way and I know what I'm asking for when taking to a plumber.

I've attached some photos of the set up as it currently is. Any feedback welcome.

Regards,
Fran

agusta

Its ok to use the internal waste pipe for the condensate pipe.Although i think if it had its own waste pipe it would be better. The condensate pipe you have is incorrect,it should be plastic with plastic fitting.Copper and brass fittings will corrode.You also dont have a condesate trap[not good]If you can check the boiler manual it will instruct on the correct fitting of acondensate trap and condensate waste.Also the fire valve is incorrect.it should be a remote acting fire valve

fran426ft

Thanks for the feedback.

I was assuming no condensate trap was a big no no which prompted me to post here.

From what you've said instead of reconnecting a condensate trap to the old copper line the better solution here might be to tee into the waste pipe closer to the boiler and fit a new condensate trap, with plastic fittings to connect to this location? Alternatively I would have to have a new, completely separate plastic condensate waste line fitted which is a bit more work.

Now I have to go looking into fire valves too. Can you explain what the problem is with the current fire valve? Where should a remote sensor be fitted for a remote acting fire valve?

DGOBS

More than a big no-no, without it flue gases from the boiler can freely enter the room to poison you with carbon monoxide, do not use the boiler in it's current state.

fran426ft

Noted - this will be bumped to the top of the list of things to get fix in the house.

The Grant installation manual says the internal waste pipe is acceptable so I think teeing into it should be an acceptable solution.

I assume the condensate trap doesn't need to be the Grant specific one (I think it's their part number is VBS01)?

Dtp1979

fran426ft wrote: »

Noted - this will be bumped to the top of the list of things to get fix in the house.

The Grant installation manual says the internal waste pipe is acceptable so I think teeing into it should be an acceptable solution.

I assume the condensate trap doesn't need to be the Grant specific one (I think it's their part number is VBS01)?

Order the trap that grant supply. No point half doing it. And as stated above, do not use the boiler.
Looking at those pics again, it's actually shocking. I'd get somebody in to check out the boiler and especially the flue and combustion. If the fitter didn't realise a simple basic rule like you can't use copper on condensate and the purpose of a trap, then I'd seriously doubt the boiler was installed correctly

agusta

fran426ft wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback.

I was assuming no condensate trap was a big no no which prompted me to post here.

From what you've said instead of reconnecting a condensate trap to the old copper line the better solution here might be to tee into the waste pipe closer to the boiler and fit a new condensate trap, with plastic fittings to connect to this location? Alternatively I would have to have a new, completely separate plastic condensate waste line fitted which is a bit more work.

Now I have to go looking into fire valves too. Can you explain what the problem is with the current fire valve? Where should a remote sensor be fitted for a remote acting fire valve?

The fire valve that is there should be above the burner. Regulations state it should be a remote acting firevalve. the sensor probe of the fire valve is fitted inside the casing above the burner.The fire valve is fitted outside 1 metre from the boiler

agusta

fran426ft wrote: »

Noted - this will be bumped to the top of the list of things to get fix in the house.

The Grant installation manual says the internal waste pipe is acceptable so I think teeing into it should be an acceptable solution.

I assume the condensate trap doesn't need to be the Grant specific one (I think it's their part number is VBS01)?

You can also buy condensate pipe and fitting to join it onto the abs waste pipe that there.You cant just use any pipe and fittings. all joints must be fully sealed

Wearb

fran426ft wrote: »

Noted - this will be bumped to the top of the list of things to get fix in the house.

The Grant installation manual says the internal waste pipe is acceptable so I think teeing into it should be an acceptable solution.

I assume the condensate trap doesn't need to be the Grant specific one (I think it's their part number is VBS01)?

The manual does seem to suggest that.
Seeing as condensate pipe work can turn into a flue if the *trap dries out, I would have preferred if the manual went into more detail about installing the condensate disposal to internal waste piping. Installed in a way that there is a gas seal between the condensate pipework and the air in the house. I know the pipework/trap has been known to melt in *such situations, but it would still be better than teeing into an open vented pipe, such as a washing machine installation. Washing machine needs this open connection to prevent syphoning.

Tom44

New Grant trap needed. (It has to be a Grant trap)
New Grant flexible plastic hose from boiler to trap needed.
New plastic pipe to outside drain or to internal waste (at low level)
New (better) fire valve needed.
New service engineer needed .

All these repair jobs are easily done by an expert.

But what you have is highly dangerous as mentioned by DGOBS as the condensation pipe will blow dangerous fumes into the room without a trap to stop it,

even if it was plastic pipe.

Condensation rots coppor, thats why orignal pipework rotted and a worse idiot fitted the coppor horizontal drain pipe as a repair.

TECH85

The copper coming off the lower side of your circulating pump is cryin out for a few clips also..
Looks to be sagging with the weight.
Your pump valves look like they are leaking or maybe leaked at some stage .
As mentioned best get someone in and give it all a good check over !..

fran426ft

Thanks for all the advice. This is more than just fitting a condensate trap so im going to get a professional to look into it. At least I know what to discuss with them now.

Randon coincidence this evening. I was talking to a neighbour about this and as it happened they had someone in to service their boiler today as they were getting fumes from it. The boiler guy (not their usual one) identified completely corroded pipes at the condensate trap. They've a plumber coming tomorrow to change pipes to plastic ones. I'm going to talk to the plumber about ours while he's there.

But if anyone can recommend another reputable plumber in the Leitrim/Longford area I'd be interested to get their details by PM.