Flue tape....is it ok?

[Bunker]

I showed this on the Hall of Shame, I repaired it by re-positioning, re cementing and re taping it. The question is - is it ok like that? Personally I recognise its not ideal but it is now sound and sealed. Another engineer has condemned the boiler because of this and the blast tube is fried (£15.55 HWOS). He also says the flue is too small. Im not sure Id condemn it for these, boiler runs fine, just a little old. The baffles are warped and 1 is split, but I rotated them.
cheers

 

[anz]

It's not the correct flue for the appliance, is it?

You resealed it without using the proper clamps?

 

[Bunker]

SORRY! Just to be clear - the photo was before I fixed it

 

[SimonG]

Don't get clamps on vitreous enamel. I was told that you can't use fire cement for sealing oil flues anymore. Think it was on my OFTEC assessment. Supposed to use high temp silicone. It's normally a case of economics. I use the silver foil as well does a good job. I swapped a Myson Velaire yesterday for another one. The bloke had been given an old one many years ago. I pressure tested it first and swapped it over like for like. The old one had burst and the bloke didn't have the cash for a new one. Taped and siliconed the flue as it was showing signs of passing poc.

 

[Dannypipe]

To be honest, that boiler looks terrible. I would be interested to see an 'after' photo.

Lets just say, I'm not suprised it has been condemmed!

 

[b.lynch plum]

To be fair I'm not supriesed, the new eng that came would be scared to touch it I know I wouldn't want to put my name to it lol, it would be good to see a pic of it now tho

 

[Dannypipe]

As I said when you posted it in the hall of shame: I would probably have condemmed it myself.

 

[kimbo]

Nothing wrong with flue tape, thats what it is for, many old oil boilers have vitreous flues, nothing wrong with them as a startersection. Cant be used on condensers.

 

[Dannypipe]

Yeah but look how out of plumb that starter section is...

 

[Bunker]

The other eng that came was after me lol. He condemned it based on the presence of the tape and the other stuff I mentioned. I should have taken an 'after' shot but it still wasn't pretty but those boilers never were. If you go round condemning every old boiler house model you see just because it looks grisly, well, that's not a very bright approach. I'd rather nurse one back into life than spank a custards pocket for poor reasons.

 

[Dannypipe]

Totally agree, it's not worth condemming something just because it isn't pretty, but no one is going to argue with him too strongly for condemming it. Why was he called in after you?

 

[SimonG]

The other eng that came was after me lol. He condemned it based on the presence of the tape and the other stuff I mentioned. I should have taken an 'after' shot but it still wasn't pretty but those boilers never were. If you go round condemning every old boiler house model you see just because it looks grisly, well, that's not a very bright approach. I'd rather nurse one back into life than spank a custards pocket for poor reasons.

I agree, as long as it's safe there should be no issue as far as aesthetics go.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

Nothing wrong with flue tape, thats what it is for, many old oil boilers have vitreous flues, nothing wrong with them as a startersection. Cant be used on condensers.

wrong tape can not be used to conceal inspectable joints

 

[b.lynch plum]

Ya aslong as its safe then all good but I wouldn't want to put me name on it if it looked like that pic lol but agree I wouldn't condem if it was safe but didn't look good

 

[Bunker]

Why was he called in after you?

Very good question, I should have covered that ....because the call was primarily about inspection with a view to quote for replacement if necessary. The managing agent will always get a number of quotes. I couldn't walk away leaving it like that so I did some work on it to improve it while I was there.