Back Boiler plumbing

[martinstorey]

I have an old fireplace which I want to get rid of. It has a back boiler in it and 2 pipes that go to the water tank. I have started taking the fire place down and leaving the pipes intact.

I was wondering how is it best to stop water in these pipes?

thanks
Martin

 

[Cello]

Surely disconnect and plug at the water tank?

 

[Simon F]

welcome to the forum Martin.

the back boiler is connected to the water, is this an old coal fire thing or a gas back boiler?

 

[kirkgas]

It sounds like an old copper back boiler, which heated water via the coal fire, if it is then you need to close the valve leading into the cylinder, then open the drain valve, usually under a 2"brass plate on the floor at the side of the fireplace, once drained the pipeworks can be blanked off at the cylinder, the only problem is the layout of pipe from the return (bottom pipe) to the drain valve, you need to leave a drain connection in, sometimes the tee piece is at the side of the fire place so you can blank it just inside the fireplace, if the drain is on the other side of the fire from the cylinder you will need to alter and leave some sort of drain connection in

 

[martinstorey]

Thanks for the replies. I think then I will remove all the surround so I can see whats in there properly. There was a gas fire in front of the back boiler but that's long gone. There are 2 horizontal pipes that go to the tank, the bottom pipe has a drain valve in it. The tank has an electric element in it so that heats the water. So I guessing I turn off all water, open this valve and empty all water and then blank off at the tank. I cant do the blanking off so i'll get someone in to so that.

 

[Dickie]

Don't remove it!! If you have a open fire with a back boiler use the fire to heat the room & burn all your household rubbish on it. There's an amazing amount of rubbish going to landfill that could be used to heat your water. Also there's loads of free pallets & old wood everywhere.

 

[martinstorey]

Too late, I have started removing the surround anyway. I want to get rid of it and then put in an open fire anyway.