If your boiler stops working and it's freezing outside, there's a good chance that you'll be able to get it up and running again yourself.
You can avoid a costly bill and a cold wait to get things fixed if the issue is simply that your condensate pipe has frozen and it should take around 10 minutes to get your boiler going if that's the problem. The condensate pipe leads waste water away from the boiler and into your drains, and if it freezes, a failsafe mechanism kicks in to protect the boiler from water going back up the pipe and inside the boiler, causing damage.
If you hear gurgling noises from your boiler and it's shut down, have a look outside to find the condensate pipe. It's usually white and should come out of the wall directly behind your boiler and runs tright down to an outside drain. white pipe should protrude from the wall portion located directly behind your boiler. You’ll know you have the right pipe if it runs right out from the boiler to an exterior drain.
Read more: When to DIY and when to call in a pro if your boiler breaks down
If the water inside the pipe is frozen, follow our step-by-step guide to fixing the problem:
- Boil your kettle and let it cool for around 15 minutes. Don't be tempted to use boiling water as it may well split the pipe and you'll have another problem to deal with.
- Starting at the top of the pipe and making your way down, pour the warm water over your frozen condensate pipe until the ice blocking it has thawed. You may need to do this a few times if the pipe is long or deeply frozen.
- Reset your boiler. You should check your boiler's manual to find out where the reset button is located on your boiler and it should also tell you how to perform a reset. The reset button normally has a flame or a cross on it, and should be clearly labelled “reset”. Push the reset button and hold it down for 10 seconds, then wait for 2-3 minutes for the boiler to fire up. If this doesn't work, try it a maximum of twice more, as repeatedly pressing it may damage the control panel.
- Wait a few minutes and check it is working properly. If you have fully thawed your frozen condensate pipe, everything should be working as normal. If it isn't or if you can't get the boiler to reset, it's time to call for a heating engineer.
Of course, it's much easier if the condensate pipe doesn't freeze in the first place, so you might want to consider steps you can take to prevent it happening again.
Insulating your condensate pipe will help to protect it from the elements, meaning it will be far less likely to end up frozen. To do this, simply wrap it with foam pipe insulation you can buy at any DIY shop and secure it with tape or cable ties.
If you are planning on fitting a new boiler in the near future, skillstg.co.uk suggest you think about the following preventative measures you can take to avoid freezing condensate pipes:
Install a large pipe: The best way to lower your chances of dealing with another frozen condensate pipe is to install a pipe that is as large as possible. Usually, manufacturers will recommend pipes in the range of 32-40mm, but it is possible to have an engineer install a thicker pipe if you have to deal with extremely cool temperatures.
Reduce external piping: It stands to reason that the less condensate pipe you have outside your home, the less opportunity there is for your pipes to freeze over. So, if it is possible, you might want to move the pipes to minimise exposure to the elements.
Reduce exposure: Placing your condensate pipe in the optimum position so that it gets plenty of sun and isn’t particularly exposed to the elements is a good way to minimise the risk of freezing.
Gravity: Ensuring that waste falls from your pipe as quickly and from as great a height as possible will help to keep the pipe clear so that it is unlikely to become blocked. Ensuring that your pipes have as few bends as possible will also help.
Get a siphon trap: Try to choose a boiler that features a siphon trap. This type of condensate release flushes out the water in one go, thus lowering the risk of freezing. Most boilers release the water in long drawn-out drips, meaning more water is present for longer, making it more likely that a freeze will occur.
Trace: A trace is an electrical element that can be bonded to the area below your condensate pipe. It can warm the pipe when the temperature drops below 5°C. If you live in an area where temperatures regularly drop below 0°C for a prolonged period of time, this could be a useful addition to your boiler setup because it really is the only way that you can guarantee your pipe will not freeze.
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