Boiler leaking :(

Good to see someone talk sense.

As long as you aren't a moron you can carry out most work safely. Just use a bit of common sense. The outer cover on a boiler is purely cosmetic. If you remove it you do nothing to disturb and gas or sealed unit.

Obviously an "engineer" is the best route but people need to stop scare mongering.
 
If the front case is cosmetic then its not an issue but many newer boilers (vaillant, Worcester, glowworm etc) the front cover is the seal for the combustion chamber. Removing it is interfering with the air for combustion.

A blanket statement of just take the case off and have a look could in the wrong hands be dangerous. Not everyone has common sense. You wouldn't believe some of the things people do to boilers to keep them working.

Obviously not all jobs need an "engineer" but you need to judge your ability and common sense or lack of if that's the case before attempting anything.
 
the_dead_parrot said:
If the front case is cosmetic then its not an issue but many newer boilers (vaillant, Worcester, glowworm etc) the front cover is the seal for the combustion chamber. Removing it is interfering with the air for combustion.

A blanket statement of just take the case off and have a look could in the wrong hands be dangerous. Not everyone has common sense. You wouldn't believe some of the things people do to boilers to keep them working.

Obviously not all jobs need an "engineer" but you need to judge your ability and common sense or lack of if that's the case before attempting anything.
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You also wouldn't believe some of the things so called 'engineers' do! All of the most dangerous faults I have seen were on registered fitters work, including one or two that were potentially lethal!
 
dholdi said:
It would appear from your second statement that you don't.
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What makes you say I'm wrong? I'm talking from experience here. My current boiler, my family boilers, and the 7 years working in the plumbing/fitting trade up until 2008.


My old Baxi 105he did that, you unscrewed 2 screws and the front cover slid up and off, revealing a combustion chamber which required 4 more screws.

My mothers is an Ideal variant based on the baxi build too. again, front cover... cosmetic.

heres an old potterton puma with the front cover off....

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rjk_o2ZJ-ec/maxresdefault.jpg

I have looked and seen some newer boilers may be like you say, so Ill accept I might have been quick to comment, but I still stand by the fact that any moron can remove a cover and replace it properly :P
 
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Blimey! So much carp in this thread its untrue.

In a nutshell, when you are a homeowner (not landlord or got lodgers etc) doing anything with your own heating boiler or any gas appliance, and associated parts connected to that appliance, then Manufacturers OWNERS instructions rule. And 'can' override gas regs.

If you do anything (as an owner) not listed in those OWNERS instructions then you become responsible for your actions. End of.

So whether in your mind you are breaking a seal or not, only tinkering with water and not gas, or the electrics, it makes no difference in the eyes of the law!

But as a homeowner (oddly enough), you can fiddle to your hearts content right up to the point something you do harms yourself or others. Then the law takes over, and will only be interested in whether you have followed the manufacturers OWNERS instructions.

And if you have not followed those instructions, then your going to be up the creek without a paddle. Because even if you can prove you are suitably qualified and registered to work on a gas appliance, you would need to explain away how that appliance came to harm a person. And I 'believe' you can be held responsible for up to 7 years after.

Hedge

Nice edit removing your WB boiler, was it just then you realised your own WB boiler has a big rubber 'gas' seal made against the front casing? ;)

And yeah I agree, you would be a moron to take the front cover off a boiler as an unqualified (resit every 5yrs) & unregistered (every 12 months) person.
 
I think the law is in your own home if you feel competent enough to carry out work you can, if then something dangerous happens you'll be deemed not to be competent and probably end up in jail if you kill someone.

Some boiler front covers are the direct seal to the combustion chamber..
 
dholdi said:
Have a proper read and you will find that it isn't always the case.
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I think they have pretty decent sensors these days. If you left the case incorrectly fitted the boiler would probably pick up on the pressure loss.

Total assumption though because I aint really up to date :P
 
2015 vaillant ecotec plus 825 ERP installed on Boxing day and could not be happier. 10 year extended warrantee. Oh how nice it is to have hot water and heating back! You don't appreciate it until you have to go without. :)

Mother in law was fine Fourstar. ;)
 
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