When the temperature drops below freezing, a lot of the boiler call-outs we get around Aylesbury come down to one simple problem: a frozen condensate pipe.
Condensing boilers produce waste water, which drains away through a plastic pipe, often to an outside drain. If that pipe freezes, the water backs up and the boiler shuts itself down. You might see a fault code on the display or hear a gurgling sound.
The good news is you can usually fix it yourself:
- Find the condensate pipe outside and look for where it’s frozen, often at a bend or the open end.
- Pour warm water over it, not boiling, or hold a hot water bottle against it.
- Repeat until the ice has melted and water can drain.
- Reset the boiler following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Don’t use boiling water, as it can crack the pipe, and never open the boiler casing.
If the pipe freezes every winter, it’s worth having it lagged, rerouted or upgraded to a wider pipe. That’s a quick job for us and can save you being without heating on the coldest days.
If the boiler still won’t restart once the pipe is clear, there may be another fault, and it’s time to call an engineer. You can find out more about our boiler servicing and repairs, and if you’re ever stuck without heating, our emergency plumber page explains how we can help.
Give us a call on 01296 425 424 or drop us a message and we’ll get your boiler running again.