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Original poster

Handy tips: malfunctioning boiler in cold weather

31 replies

Marmite17 · 27/02/2018 18:15

No heat today as Glow Worm boiler (about 5 years old) was spluttering and stopping with F4 and F22 faults. Called a gas safe plumber as it needs a service anyway. Then googled.
The external condenser pipe could have frozen/had end buried by snow in drain so poured warm water over it a couple of times, waited about 30 mins, reset boiler and bingo! We have heat!
Plus feel mighty proud of self.

OP posts:
Springiscoming123 · 28/02/2018 18:01

well done,this is always my fear

i have the heating on 18hrs a day at moment but as the pipe is outside i worry it will freeze

good to know it works

PasDevantLesElephants · 28/02/2018 18:25

I've just dealt with exactly this issue, the pipe is now wrapped in a couple of old duvets as our snow is not expected to arrive until tonight. Same as you though, OP, I'm super chuffed with myself! Well done usGrin

PigletJohn · 28/02/2018 19:02

very annoying that the pipe was not run indoors to an internal drain.

For the majority of boilers that are in a kitchen or futility room, this is not very difficult.

johnd2 · 28/02/2018 23:27

Agree with piglet John.
If it does go outside it should be in 32mm pipe and as short as possible with decent slope.

CointreauVersial · 28/02/2018 23:29

Had the same thing a few years ago - googled it, and fixed the problem by defrosting and then lagging the condensate pipe properly.

It's happened once since then, but now I know what to look out for!

WinkyisbackontheButterBeer · 28/02/2018 23:46

We’ve had exactly the same problem today. I tried defrosting the pipe but couldn’t get it going. An engineer came out and said that some idiot had used the wrong width pipe when fitting. (Too narrow)
He has taken it completely off and the boiler is currently draining into a bowl in the kitchen but we are warm at least.

starbrightnight · 01/03/2018 00:10

We are having the same problem except the boiler condensate drains into the same drain as our bath then runs under the bath to the outside.

That should be fine except today the outside drain is so frozen solid that the bath won't empty. It seems to have backed up to the condensate tube and stopped the boiler working.

Now in the process of trying to sort it out with kettles of warm water.

CointreauVersial · 01/03/2018 08:23

Well, well, well.

A mere 8 hours after posting the above, guess what I was doing?

Yep.

All defrosted with a few jug of hot water, although I notice we're missing some lagging. House warming up again, thank goodness.

dancemom · 01/03/2018 09:14

My boiler isnt working. I live in a third floor flat, leaned out the window and poured boiling water over external pipe three times now but still not working, any other suggestions anyone?

PigletJohn · 01/03/2018 10:21

is this pipe covered in lagging?

post some photos if you can

Also of the condensate pipe where it leaves the boiler and makes its way through the wall. It is probably white plastic.

mum2015 · 01/03/2018 12:07

OP thank you for this thread. Fixed the boiler not working problem in my house too .

DonaldWeasley · 01/03/2018 13:53

I’m so pleased I read this a few days ago. Ours froze today and I fixed it before dh had even noticed the boiler wasn’t working 😎

Singlebutmarried · 01/03/2018 14:13

Did mine at 2am, and again a little while ago. Ours go round a bloomin corner to the drain so a bit annoying

bilbodog · 01/03/2018 14:34

Exact same problem here - our pipe is quite long outside and covered in protective stuff but has frozen - so far tipped about 6 panfulls of hot water but boiler still not working. Should i take off the lagging and try some more???

TheyBuiltThePyramids · 01/03/2018 14:45

Mine hasn't got an outside pipe, but I have not managed to raise the ambient temperature to more than 16 degrees over the last couple of days. Radiators are slightly warm but no more.

PigletJohn · 01/03/2018 16:27

bilbodog

if you think yours is froze, take off the lagging, then pour copious hot water over it, starting towards the lowest point so whatever melts can escape. A watering can (without the sprinkler rose) is handy as you can easily direct the flow.

A photo would be helpful as I might spot a weakness in the installation. Horizontal runs, shallow slopes, and especially sags in the pipe will encourage blockages.

CointreauVersial · 01/03/2018 16:31

Mine blocks because the end dips just touches a drain cover, so there's a perfect opportunity for a icicle to form.

legfaced · 01/03/2018 16:33

We had this happen today too

PigletJohn · 01/03/2018 16:34

saw

Handy tips: malfunctioning boiler in cold weather
Maya80 · 01/03/2018 23:54

Happened to us too, some good videos on how to sort the problem on www.baxi.co.uk/service-and-repair/boiler-faqs

Misty9 · 02/03/2018 08:06

Our boiler isn't working- it's a Worcester junior and the condensate pipe is indoors for a bit at least - it was serviced last week and this was found to be dripping a tiny bit. Outside there's a vertical pipe and a sloped one, not lagged - neither feel particularly cold but which would be the condensate?

Luckily we have a wood burner so can keep one room toasty.

Misty9 · 02/03/2018 08:07

Oh, and the reset button is flashing. Turned it on and off again; fired up for a minute then flashed again. ??

Misty9 · 02/03/2018 09:31

Sorted. Pipe was frozen.

ChipInTheSugar · 02/03/2018 09:46

Slightly different problem here - pilot light on Potterton boiler won't light if I click the central heating on - but it does if I put the hot water on!

Any quick fix for that or does it need a professional in to sort it?

Springiscoming123 · 02/03/2018 11:21

lol mine done this today,sorted now