Bermuda Back Boiler spilling

[Harriet Cooper]

Hi

I am moving house soon and our buyers asked for a gas check last minute. I organised this quickly and had no worries about our gas system.

We have a Bermuda back boiler in our house and two gas men have said it is 'spilling'. This was tested through using a match in the front fire. We had no idea! Both said the only way to fix it is to get a new flue for around £1000 OR just get a new boiler. Our buyers want us to just fix the back boiler.

Is a problem with the flue the only explanation for the spilling? Also, if we have the flue replaced is this definitely going to solve the problem?

Thank you

 

[ShaunCorbs]

@Best @Last Plumber

 

[townfanjon]

This is a potential massive problem on a house sale , that gas appliance is categorised as ID (immediately dangerous) it should be capped off.
Personally I would change the whole back boiler system, too old by far these days.



.

 

[Atouchofgas]

TBH it depends if the guys knew where to do the spillage test. A lot of guys nowadays are unfamiliar with the old fire and back boilers. They all have different places where to do these tests, if uncertain I'd get another company to check

 

[Harriet Cooper]

TBH it depends if the guys knew where to do the spillage test. A lot of guys nowadays are unfamiliar with the old fire and back boilers. They all have different places where to do these tests, if uncertain I'd get another company to check

Thanks.
I think I'm going to get someone else out to check.
I've been having a read online and have another question.
Could limited ventilation cause the fire/boiler to 'spill'- due to lack of air circulating the room?
We have a ventilation panel- however we have a book case about 15cm away from it. I'm just wondering if it's limiting the air supply.

Thank you

 

[Atouchofgas]

Thanks.
I think I'm going to get someone else out to check.
I've been having a read online and have another question.
Could limited ventilation cause the fire/boiler to 'spill'- due to lack of air circulating the room?
We have a ventilation panel- however we have a book case about 15cm away from it. I'm just wondering if it's limiting the air supply.

Thank you

It's definitely a possibility but the engineers should have followed the correct procedures when do these test which involve opening a window if required ( this determines if extra ventilation is required )

 

[jtsplumbing]

Testing for spillage is a little hit & miss things can effect how it go's, Check out the size of the vent, is the vent direct to outside, is it clear of any obstructions, did they warm up chimney B4 doing test ? what was the weather like that day ? conditions can effect test, Get them to remove fire front and smoke test flue, see if you can get an older guy that has had experience with open flue appliances.

 

[Harriet Cooper]

Testing for spillage is a little hit & miss things can effect how it go's, Check out the size of the vent, is the vent direct to outside, is it clear of any obstructions, did they warm up chimney B4 doing test ? what was the weather like that day ? conditions can effect test, Get them to remove fire front and smoke test flue, see if you can get an older guy that has had experience with open flue appliances.

Thanks for your message.
The vent needs a good clean so I'm going to do that. I've got another guy coming who is experienced in working with back boilers. He's going to smoke test the flue amongst other things. So hopefully I'll have a clearer understanding of what is wrong.

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

As mentioned. Check flue is pulling first. Heat it up and test. Then you know what needs to be done. Good luck.

 

[oz-plumber]

Make sure he runs it for 10 minutes before he does the spillage test.

If he fires it up and does the test straight away you will most probably get spillage.
Won't go into the detail as why.