Gas safe registered plumber may have fitted boiler against terms of the lease

[Joe Hurst]

https://*********/a/pgCRb The management company for my block of flats flushed an external pipe the other day and it forced all the debris into the waste pipe for my washing machine (which my condense pipe also goes in to) [https://*********/a/pgCRb and into my condense pipe also.

The boiler makes a gurgling sound when you turn it on so I reported this to the management company who sent a maintenance person round. He spoke to his boss on the phone who said that it was potentially illegal (or against the terms of my lease) to have a condense pipe connected into a waste pipe.

Are they telling the truth or just trying to get out of sending a heating engineer round? I have checked the engineer on the gas safe register and I trust his word, though I would like to get a second opinion on the condense pipe connected to waste pipe legality before I proceed.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Scott_D]

Post a picture
The condensate has to go to a waste of some kind

 

[Joe Hurst]

Thanks for your reply. I can't work out how to embed photos. Here's a picture of the aftermath: https://i.*********/Znmtnat.jpg

and here is the condense pipe connecting to the waste pipe: Imgur

The waste pipe only services my washer/dryer if that helps. Let me know if you want any other photos taken!

 

[steadyon]

1. It is certainly not illegal, unless the waste pipe is not actually a waste pipe but a surface water down pipe.
2. I suggest you ask him exactly which clause or clauses in the lease are being broken. Then check your lease.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

does the washing machine go into a 4" pipe?

 

[snowhead]

If they're saying it's against the lease terms to connect a condensate pipe but are not saying anything about the Washer waste then it must be O.k for the washer (so it's most likely a foul drain it ends up in).

Given that, then they have not paid due care to "Flushing " the pipework and potentially forcing foul waste into your kitchen.

Whilst they're pointing out the small print that may or may not ban condense into waste, ask them to explain where the condense is supposed to go.
Where do all the others go in adjacent flats?

 

[Darren Jackson]

Perfectly standard procedure to run the condensate into a 40mm waste pipe such as yours. Nothing wrong or illegal about it! They are trying to fob you off. Simples....

 

[Joe Hurst]

1. It is certainly not illegal, unless the waste pipe is not actually a waste pipe but a surface water down pipe.
2. I suggest you ask him exactly which clause or clauses in the lease are being broken. Then check your lease.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

1. By surface water down pipe do you mean this? Imgur I can have a look outside tomorrow to see if it does connect to that. I think the previous boiler installation made the same connection and my engineer just fitted the new condenser into the existing waste pipe/condenser combo.

2. I've had a look through my lease and there is nothing specific to boilers and plumbing in there. The guy refused to give me the number for his boss and wouldn't let me speak to him a second time (he spoke to him on the phone as he was leaving) which made me suspicious.

 

[Joe Hurst]

does the washing machine go into a 4" pipe?

Hi Shaun, thanks for your reply. Sorry to be a bit useless but I don't know? Here's a photo of the back of my washer Imgur and here's the connection to the waste pipe (the grey pipe is loose - is this alright?) Imgur

 

[Joe Hurst]

If they're saying it's against the lease terms to connect a condensate pipe but are not saying anything about the Washer waste then it must be O.k for the washer (so it's most likely a foul drain it ends up in).

Given that, then they have not paid due care to "Flushing " the pipework and potentially forcing foul waste into your kitchen.

Whilst they're pointing out the small print that may or may not ban condense into waste, ask them to explain where the condense is supposed to go.
Where do all the others go in adjacent flats?

Hi Darren, thank you for taking the time.

That's a good point. If you read point 2 on my reply to steadyon, it mentions how the guy wouldn't let me speak to the boss. I'll contact the management company and have a word (I don't have any contact numbers for the maintenance company).

I think the management company are well aware of the company's negligence as the flat below me (that flooded) now has a blocked drain due to the flushing work, and the flat below them has experienced issues since also.

I don't have any contact numbers for this company and would prefer not to have to resort to having to have them round again.

Once again, thanks for your help. It's been very reassuring!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

do you know where the pipe in the wall goes?

 

[Joe Hurst]

Perfectly standard procedure to run the condensate into a 40mm waste pipe such as yours. Nothing wrong or illegal about it! They are trying to fob you off. Simples..

Good to know! Thanks for your help, Darren. Have a good evening!

 

[fixitflav]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

1. By surface water down pipe do you mean this? Imgur I can have a look outside tomorrow to see if it does connect to that. I think the previous boiler installation made the same connection and my engineer just fitted the new condenser into the existing waste pipe/condenser combo.

2. I've had a look through my lease and there is nothing specific to boilers and plumbing in there. The guy refused to give me the number for his boss and wouldn't let me speak to him a second time (he spoke to him on the phone as he was leaving) which made me suspicious.

My boiler condensate goes into the washing machine waste. Machine waste hose into a 40mm open-ended upstand. Then on into a foul drain. Never been any problem.

 

[heatservice]

I wonder if there is any cast iron soil pipe in the property, had this with a local council block of flats and had to fit condensesafe nutrulisers to every boilers condense pipework.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I wonder if there is any cast iron soil pipe in the property, had this with a local council block of flats and had to fit condensesafe nutrulisers to every boilers condense pipework.

Now there ok but needs a toilet / sink above the outlet for the condy