We were asked to replace some microbore radiators on a Potterton boiler.
Our customer also complained that the boiler regularly ‘locked out’ and never seemed to stop. We found that the wiring centre had been thrown behind the hot water cylinder, there was no room thermostat, and no pump bypass fitted. This device if missing, would cause the boiler to overheat.
We cured these faults and then the customer pointed out the drain attached to their Potterton boiler. this is nemant to discharge into the main sewerage system, and any external pipework is meant to be insulated.
This is what we found;
No trouble taken
If you receive a boiler quote that seems cheaper than most, there is usually a reason, and this installation was a typical example of what to expect. Faulty wiring, incorrect system design and shoddy workmanship.
The next example is from a pensioner’s house in Kingston, Surrey. She has a warm air unit that was originally commissioned by her late husband (who had no formal gas training).
She was at pains to describe how there was nothing wrong with it; however even a cursory glance showed us that the installation was in serious danger of setting the house alight and the flue design would be spilling products of combustion inside the house.
Unfortunately, when I appraised her (being as respectful as possible to her late husband) of these facts, she explained that she had been receiving hospital treatment for carbon monoxide in her bloodstream, but that the doctor had said it was naturally occurring and could not have been caused by her boiler…..!
I tried to explain the problem but she asked me to leave and locked the door behind me. The only picture I could get was of her flue outlet…
- Warm air flue termination
Hopefully she has now had a new unit fitted.
40 people die from carbon monoxide poisioning due to poorly installed or maintained appliances every year. No one likes regulations, but unfortunately in our industry it is only too necessary.
