Leaky flue, can it be DIY or do I need a specialist?

[t0mbop]

Hi guys,

Our 30+ year old boiler (think it's original from the house built in 1977) is in good working order, no problems there, and it's serviced yearly. Last service however was 26th Jan 2012 (nozzle replaced and man said, "It's old but no problems"!). We noticed a fume smell this evening and on inspection saw that the black tin? flue that exits the top of the boiler has a slight leak in it where it joins another flue component. Also where the flue joins the boiler baffle plate there is some sort of cement looking material that has a crack in it.

I have attached a picture, the 45 that exits the boiler has a "crack" in the cement where it meets the boiler baffle (which is in good nick) and where the 45 meets the other 45 there is some movement. Is this a DIY job or do I need a specialist? I've checked online and see you can buy high temperature specialist flue silicones and fire cement, are these the sort of things I need? In the interim I've turned the boiler off just incase.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Killy Bing]

Personally i would get an oftec engineer in to repair the flue as he can then use his flue gas analyser to "sniff" for higher quantitys of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

other engineers on here might have a different opinion!

 

[Dotty]

As advised for complete peace of mind get an oftec engineer in. There is actually nothing stopping you attempting this yourself at the present but what is the cost of yours and your family's safety?

Oh, and you're long overdue another service!

If that's in your house rather than in an outside cupboard I would recommend a 6 monthly check on top of your service!

 

[Best]

As it is indoors, you need to be careful. A conventional flue like that will have a "draw" on it & will tend to not leak badly at a little crack in a joint, but what if the boiler has suddenly started to go bad & burn wrong, or if the flue is blocked for any reason? Although a bit of heat resist seal may be fine.
I notice there is no cleaning door on the flue bends.
Careful with that boiler wiring!

 

[villa_tom]

Is an oil boiler not governed by a body like gas safe?

Or can anyone install and repair these?

 

[Killy Bing]

Oftec but its all recommendation on it mainly, however a badly set up burner or out of calibration one can quickly kick out alot of carbon monoxide. I went to one where the customer had fiddled with the oil pressure, carbon monoxide was off the scale.

 

[Dotty]

Is an oil boiler not governed by a body like gas safe?

Not at the moment Tom. There's OFTEC but that's a body really only with any power over registered engineers.

Or can anyone install and repair these?

Sadly, yeah.

It's not right but at the moment it is how it is.

 

[Killy Bing]

Is an oil boiler not governed by a body like gas safe?

Or can anyone install and repair these?

Different beasts to most gas boilers! If you want to touch one you need to know how to calabrate it and set the burner up. The oftec pressure jet course teaches you how to do it.

 

[Best]

Different beasts to most gas boilers! If you want to touch one you need to know how to calabrate it and set the burner up. The oftec pressure jet course teaches you how to do it.

You must have been lucky. All mine taught me was that insulating tape stops the photocell seeing the flame. :smile:

 

[Killy Bing]

Actually mine was in and out i had the option to do the pressure jet learning (it was included) i already knew the whole setting up part, the only thing i took from oftec was tank placements....which means damn all till they bring it inline with gas safe!

 

[villa_tom]

What do you have to do to get registered with oftec and be able to work on these things with atleast some sort of qualification/experience?

 

[WHPES]

When was the flue last swept and inspected? If it hasn't been done for a while I suggest it's done. A sweep will be able to fix any leaks.

 

[t0mbop]

When was the flue last swept and inspected? If it hasn't been done for a while I suggest it's done. A sweep will be able to fix any leaks.

How do you go about getting a sweep? Is it just a case of finding a chimney sweep person. Happily, there's an OFTEC man 2 roads away according the website.

 

[Killy Bing]

To sweep thatyou wil have to remove a 45 bend, prefibly replace it with an access paneld one too.

 

[WHPES]

My sweep will cut an access hole into a bend as required and tap a hole for a cover plate. I don't sweep myself but have a local guy I call on.

You need to find a registered chimney sweep with the relevant qualifications for flue work. Try the phone book....... If your problem is a flue issue they will be able to sort it. (however your service is overdue and advised)

ALL flues and chimneys must be routinely swept!

 

[lame plumber]

buy and install a co monitor alarm close to the boiler position for extra peace of mind