Prevent damage caused by freezing

Outside taps: Use a suitable insulating cover to protect outside taps from wind-chill and freezing conditions. It’s also a good idea to fit an additional isolation valve inside the property before the outside tap.

Holidays: Homes that are left empty during the winter can be diameter must be increased to a minimum of 30mm ID (typically 32mm OD) before it passes through the wall. protected from freezing by several measures:

The angle of the pipe should slope downwards by at least 3° as it passes through the wall to help maintain a good velocity as the condensate exits the building.

The external pipe run should be kept as short as possible, to a maximum of 3 metres, taking the most direct and most vertical route to the discharge point. There should be no horizontal sections in which condensate might collect.

• Add antifreeze to the central heating system: this is especially useful in properties such as residential park homes or holiday homes.

• Leave the central heating switched on and set the room thermostat to a low

To minimise the effects of wind-chill, the open end of the condensate pipe should terminate below the grating and above the water level. It should also be covered by a drain cover, such as those used to prevent blockage by leaves. The pipe must be insulated from the point where it emerges from outside the external wall of the building, using suitable waterproof and weatherproof insulation.

Alternative methods of protection may be used, as specified by manufacturers, and products such as those temperature setting. that preheat the condense before it leaves the thermal envelope of the dwelling can be used too.

• If the loft space has cold water storage and feed and expansion tanks, and you are concerned about freezing in a prolonged period of sub-zero temperatures, open the loft hatch slightly at one end to allow some heat to circulate into the loft.

Remember: When installing a boiler, any horizontal flue exiting the property needs to be installed at least 300mm above flat surfaces to avoid becoming blocked by snow or leaves. ■

*BS 6798: Specification for selection, installation, inspection, commissioning, servicing and maintenance of gas fired boilers of rated input not exceeding 70kW net

Dealing with frozen condensate

When condensate freezes, it will cause the boiler to go into shut-off and many customers will turn to you for help. However, there are steps that they can take themselves, and it’s worth having these to hand if your customer calls:

1. Locate the blockage

The condensate discharge pipe usually freezes at the most exposed points outside, such as the open end of the pipe, at a bend or elbow, or where there is a dip in the pipe where condensate can collect.

2. Thaw the frozen pipe

Apply a hot water bottle or a microwaveable heat pack around the blockage, or pour warm water on to the pipe. Never use boiling water.

3. Reset the boiler.

Source: HHIC Customer information: Frozen boiler condensate discharge