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Discuss External condensate pipe size in the Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board area at PlumbersForums.net

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Hello,

I have a rental property and had a new combi boiler fitted 2 years ago.
No problems at all with the boiler, my only niggle is that the external condensate pipe is 32mm and fully covered with black insulation.

This pipe runs almost 3 metres across the outside wall of the kitchen and then a further 2 metres round a corner to the drain.
As the property was tenanted at the time I ( and the tenant ) had just accepted this.

This is really unsightly and now that the tenants have left and I am looking to re-let the property, I would like to have this changed, as I feel this is putting people off when they come to view the property as this hits you in the eye as soon as you approach the front door.

Could the 32mm ( black insulated ) pipe be replaced by a 40mm ( or larger ) none insulated white PVC pipe which would look more cosmetically acceptable?

thanks
 
Hi, no the pipe runs from the boiler vertically about 2 feet, then outside.
There is no facility to run the pipe internally due to kitchen cupboards etc.
 
The OP is suggesting a LARGER one not a smaller one, Simon. But he wants to run it uninsulated.
 
Just saying 32mm is minimum so the world is his mollusc when it comes to something bigger.

I always run mine in 40mm uninsulated.
 
What is actually considered good practice then? 32mm uninsulated is okay?
OP - in what part of the country is this house and is it urban, rural (exposed or coastal), or suburban?
 
MI's state 32. I use 40. Always have more 40 bits than 32. For your standard winter 40 uninsulated would be no problem.

2010 110mm was freezing solid. Dripping tap left without repair.
 
Thanks for all the speedy replies.
The boiler service is due shortly so I will get the guys to replace the condensate pipe with 40mm when they come to do the service.

cheers
 
Hi, no the pipe runs from the boiler vertically about 2 feet, then outside.
There is no facility to run the pipe internally due to kitchen cupboards etc.
Run it under kitchen units in the the plinth space then terminate to outside as close to the drain as possible. With your average winter it's unlikely to freeze in a 32mm pipe anyway but the less pipe exposed the less chance of it happening when we do get a bad winter. Could save you 1 or 2 callouts
 
Thanks, I appreciate the reply but it would be a big job to re-route internally.
one of the internal kitchen walls has a radiator fitted so pipe would need to go underneath and would need to be boxed in as it would be unsightly if left on show, in any event there is no room to do this anyway.
This is just one of the obstacles I would need to overcome to have anything done internally.

Much easier to do externally
 
Somehow it feels like contradicting to me 32 mm changing into 40 mm as the 32mm hits you in the eye. 32mm would look so much better in my opinion.
 
I appreciate your comments but surely there is less chance of 40mm freezing ?
40mm in white would look a lot better than 32mm covered in black insulation. The external walls are pebble dash, so white would blend in better than black.

I suppose if I wanted to, I could just remove the black insulation and leave the white 32mm pipe on show.

thanks
 
Somehow it feels like contradicting to me 32 mm changing into 40 mm as the 32mm hits you in the eye. 32mm would look so much better in my opinion.

I think the OP's issue was with the insulation which is on the 32mm and wants to change to 40mm in order to no longer need the pipe lagging. Personally I think 32mm lagged in black insulation would look better than 40mm white pipe, but each to their own.
 
Maximum length of the condense run is 3m in manufacturers instructions, in this case I would fit a condense pump and pump it to a indoor drainage point , and loose the external run altogether. Kop
 
Dadaaa ! In know some - hit ha ha . Kop

Screenshot_20190106-141815_Drive.jpg
 
The way I read that is there is a maximum length if you terminate below the gully grate or into a condensate soakaway. If you was to leave a gap between the outlet and the gully grate then no length restrictions apply?

The way I read it is that the "no length restrictions" only applies if you are connecting to something along the lines of a sink or washing machine waste. When connecting to a soakaway or a gulley max run of the external pipe is 3m.
 
Yes I can see that and not arguing about the fact, but is says when terminating in a gully below grid level and above the water level then a keep pipe length to a minimum and should not not be more than 3 metres. What I asked was, if for example you have no gully less than 3m away, you can't for whatever reason fit a soak away. If you terminate the outlet above the gully grate, does the maximum length still apply? As the instructions aren't specifically clear on this. It doesn't say maximum length is 3m, it's only says when terminating below gully grate.
 
TBH I would leave it alone 11/2 will freeze had loads last winter if yours didn't freeze it's good

I can't see a bit of black armaflex insulation putting people off that much
 
Yes I can see that and not arguing about the fact, but is says when terminating in a gully below grid level and above the water level then a keep pipe length to a minimum and should not not be more than 3 metres. What I asked was, if for example you have no gully less than 3m away, you can't for whatever reason fit a soak away. If you terminate the outlet above the gully grate, does the maximum length still apply? As the instructions aren't specifically clear on this. It doesn't say maximum length is 3m, it's only says when terminating below gully grate.

i thought you were not allowed to terminate above the gully grate?
 

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