Condensate pipe and soakaway

[Nat C]

Hi, we had a new combi fitted 10 months ago. It was fitted with a condensate soakaway as no drainpipe/drain nearby. The fitter assured us that it was all done correctly and that it has been fitted into a soakaway. After (just recently) reading to manufactures instructions concerning the soakaway its states it need needs to be 500mm from house. After digging around a bit it appears to be about 300mm from house? Should I be concerned and can this be rectified if needed. I think it has only been put here due to restrictions with concrete in this area and it was probably as far as he could go without alot of extra work.
Any advice would be great, thanks.

 

[Alpha man]

Get em back!

 

[Nat C]

Thanks Alpha Man for replying, tried to phoning before Christmas about 2 noisy trv's but haven't heard back from him. I'm not sure how else the pipe could run, would put pictures up but its dark! It comes down into a flowerbed area but the rest is concrete..

 

[kozak1968]

Should be 500mm from foundations and depending which make you use should have the holes facing away from building. I would call him with your concerns. Limestone chippings needed around the soakaway aswell.

 

[Nat C]

Get em back!

I have had a bit of bad run with tradesmen having to throw bathroom fitters off the job and was left without a bathroom for 3 months, and this guy was recommended I don't think I can cope with the hassle of getting him back again

 

[Nat C]

Also I think the gas and electric pipes enter the house through this area also? Thanks

 

[billybob150811]

I know it isn't as per MI but if it cant be moved further away consider the situation more deeply building regs state a soakaway should be 1m away from a building this manufacturer has in their judgement considered that an over kill as the volume of water is small perhaps making the area drain better,limestone chippings to keep the soil less acidic or could you install a condensate pump but I don't think you should let it prey on your mind too much

 

[GrahamM]

Not fitted to current regulations/standards but its not a big issue. Its a building regulation due to the acidity of the condensate solution.
My concern would be as it goes outside against recommendations it may be prone to freezing if less than 32mm pipe and not insulated/protected. Then you may have issues with boiler shutting down.
If concerned have a more conciousness engineer take a look and advise on options.

 

[lame plumber]

not going to be an issue in your lifetime, worry about more important things

 

[Nat C]

I know it isn't as per MI but if it cant be moved further away consider the situation more deeply building regs state a soakaway should be 1m away from a building this manufacturer has in their judgement considered that an over kill as the volume of water is small perhaps making the area drain better,limestone chippings to keep the soil less acidic or could you install a condensate pump but I don't think you should let it prey on your mind too much

Thanks for your advice Biillybob , its a terraced house do it is awkward not helped by stormporch in the way if the pipe was to go the other side with a window in the way too. reading everything online about discharge from drain eating away at concrete/foundations and damaging gas pipes has me worried............

 

[Nat C]

Looking at other houses the same as mine in the area, it looks like the same thing has been done there to I know it doesn't make it right but maybe no other option?

 

[GrahamM]

Looking at other houses the same as mine in the area, it looks like the same thing has been done there to I know it doesn't make it right but maybe no other option?

There is always options. Poor planned and fitted. Simple as that!

 

[Nat C]

Anyone want to come and refit a condensate pipe for me?!!!

 

[GrahamM]

Not a big issue Nat if not giving you any issues. It's done now.
But if you want it rectified or just some advise then post it the Plumbers/engineers wanted section along with your area.

 

[IDCHAPPY]

not going to be an issue in your lifetime, worry about more important things

^This 1000 times, I'm sure he's tried his best from the sounds of it

 

[jtsplumbing]

One of the main problems fitting new condensing boilers is where to run discharge pipe, the other applies to the PRV, don't get it on every job but do get the odd one now and then that cause a problem.

 

[Nat C]

Thanks all for the replies. How much condensate can come outon average a day in the winter say? And can it cause damage to houses or the gas and electric service coming into the house in this area? Thanks

 

[Nat C]

Thanks all for the replies. How much condensate can come outon average a day in the winter say? And can it cause damage to houses or the gas and electric service coming into the house in this area? Thanks

Thanks

 

[AlexGas]

Thanks all for the replies. How much condensate can come outon average a day in the winter say?

Less than a bucket, it depends though...

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

Nat C - I wouldnt worry about it, there must be tens of thousands done like this and worse, some have no soakaway at all. I bet the guy has done its best and it wont cause you any harm

 

[jtsplumbing]

have even seen them just dropping into a flower pot filled with lime chippings, because the whole area was concrete and no other position to put condense, asked someone I know on local water board about it and they side it was not a problem, but that could vary depending on what area you are in

 

[tamz]

A bucket full every 5 or 6 days.
i know this because mine was into a bucket for about 6 months before she moaned enough about it for me to do it right :smile:

 

[jonny5isalive]

You can fit an inline neutraliser if youre particularly worried about acidity. An example at

http://www.toolstation.com/m/part.html?p=61414

Theyre expensive for what they are (basically a plastic tube of acid neutraliser), and you are supposed to change the cartridge every year.

Saying that, I've seen condensates just dumped onto the pavement whether concrete or tarmac and there has been no obvious corrosion at all in several years.

 

[lame plumber]

condensate dissolves plaster really well, it also eats into the joints of glazed clay drains pretty quickly, only know from seeing may drains start leaking and a cracked condensate pipe leaked down the back of my kitchen cupboard. Basically it will destroy lime mortar, cement based mortar takes a lot longer

 

[jonny5isalive]

condensate dissolves plaster really well, it also eats into the joints of glazed clay drains pretty quickly, only know from seeing may drains start leaking and a cracked condensate pipe leaked down the back of my kitchen cupboard. Basically it will destroy lime mortar, cement based mortar takes a lot longer

Good to hear some real world examples of it doing damage as i was thinking it was all a bit of overkill. Not so good for your drains obviously. [emoji90].