21 Mar 2022
If the cold weather descends, your condensate pipe might get frozen.
What you’ll need:
- A kettle or pan
- Watering can or similar
- Potentially a towel or hot water bottle
- Water
Before you start: You should never attempt to thaw a condensate pipe above waist level or disconnect the condensate pipe in order to do so. You should also never attempt to access the condensate pipe or any other pipe work within the boiler.
Step one: Find the problem. You will most likely find your pipe outside generally on the other side of the wall that your boiler is situated on. Most of the time it will be a white pipe coming from your house and going into the ground.
Step two: Gently heat some water (not boiling) by using a kettle or a microwave and pour over the end of the pipe where it is frozen using a suitable container like a watering can.
Step three: If the pipe is still frozen try and hold a hot water bottle or heat wrap around the condensate pipe.
Step four: Once the pipe has thawed you should re-set your boiler by holding in the reset button for ten seconds and wait for the boiler to refire.
Step five: Finally, you should always beware of ice on the ground that will form from the water you have poured. The last thing you want to do is slip and have hot water over you.
If you still have an issue, call us on 0800 027 2057 and we’ll advise.