Boiler flue not accessible but builder says it's all one piece

[tonymorris24]

Hello everyone. I'm hoping someone can help...

We have recently redone our property and there is a new boiler and flue. The flue enters the ceiling above the boiler and is hidden from view (above a bathroom) until it exits through the wall.

We have tried to get a gas certificate but the engineer can't see sufficiently far to confirm there are no joins in the flue pipe. We'd like to avoid access hatches having just re-done the ceiling, and the builder (who has now gone AWOL) promised it was all one piece.

Can we put a camera inside the flue - might that answer the question? Any other ideas?

Thanks so much

Tony

 

[Riley]

You will need hatches cutting into the ceiling to verify this. Doesn’t matter if the builder says it’s one piece the next gas engineer can’t verify that

 

[ShaunCorbs]

theres joints in the rook space

needs hatches also who installed the boiler?

 

[Riley]

did the builder fit the boiler and flue?

 

[Riley]

I’d say it’s too long to be one piece

 

[Riley]

theres joints in the rook space

needs hatches also who installed the boiler?

Great minds

 

[tonymorris24]

I’d say it’s too long to be one piece

Thanks - the builder (company now in liquidation, so we're stuck...) said it was one piece - the length is about 2.4m. Presumably it could theoretically be one piece, if we recorded a camera inside the pipe would that work?

If not, would you mind letting me know roughly how much hatches cost?

Thanks!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Thanks - the builder (company now in liquidation, so we're stuck...) said it was one piece - the length is about 2.4m. Presumably it could theoretically be one piece, if we recorded a camera inside the pipe would that work?

If not, would you mind letting me know roughly how much hatches cost?

Thanks!

wont be in once piece max flue length in one piece is 2m but i will be surprised as no on uses them unless they have to

also you will still have two joints one boiler end one flue exit end

best option get a gas safe engy in to re commission and inspect the boiler also get him to fix hatches where the flue runs

 

[tonymorris24]

wont be in once piece max flue length in one piece is 2m but i will be surprised as no on uses them unless they have to

also you will still have two joints one boiler end one flue exit end

best option get a gas safe engy in to re commission and inspect the boiler also get him to fix hatches where the flue runs

Thanks - do you know roughly how much hatches should cost to fit?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Thanks - do you know roughly how much hatches should cost to fit?

depends on a lot of factors

any where from £150 to x amount

do they need to be fire rated are they easy to install best get a quote

 

[Riley]

Get a couple of quotes. Also who fitted the boiler??

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Get a couple of quotes. Also who fitted the boiler??

im guessing builder

 

[SimonG]

Well if the builder said..........

 

[Allgoode]

Builder ??????????

Maybe commissioning/benchmark sheet not filed it.

I must be getting cynical in my old age.

I would v.strongly suggest it will need recommissioning with correct inspection hatches as previously mentioned, not just to tick the box but for your own peace of mind.

Just think of your priorities & the safety of your family.

Is it really worth saving a few quid............

 

[Chuck]

im guessing builder

Boiler's got a British Gas sticker on it?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Boiler's got a British Gas sticker on it?

bg maybe the servicing party eg the ones recommending hatches

 

[Riley]

Op has vanished. Possibly didn’t like the hatches idea

 

[Welder]

Take another look at the boiler picture chaps. IMHO that's no new boiler. My 10p says the builder did the job to save 3s 11d

 

[Riley]

Op said new boiler

 

[Welder]

Op said new boiler

That's why I mentioned it...

 

[Gasmk1]

That's why I mentioned it...

It's definitely not a new boiler

 

[firemant]

Why is thhere a towel rad, about 6" from the ceiling?

Is that label not a cupboard label?

 

[firemant]

Why is thhere a towel rad, about 6" from the ceiling?

It is a compartment label.

 

[snowhead]

Why is thhere a towel rad, about 6" from the ceiling?

Long towels??

Is that label not a cupboard label?

Boiler is in a compartment, see second photo in Original Post.
It doesn't say whether the boiler compartment is in the bathroom or outside of it or previously had a boiler in it and the flue has been altered or that the boiler is new.

But it does say bathroom redone recently, so if it's a recently installed boiler why is a (British Gas ?) GSR looking at it now?

 

[Aire]

Unfortunately we do need to be able to inspect the full length of the flue, when flues are boxed in this is usually achieved by placing access hatches at every joint, these hatches also have to be a minimum of 300mm x 300mm and you will need at least 3 of them. A camera will not be sufficient. You say the flue is above a recently done bathroom ceiling. Whats above the ceiling? Is there removable floorboards?