Our Worcester Bosch 24i boiler recently broke down (after 1 and half years) Still under guarantee, the engineer attended and said that the condense pipework was blocked and to blame for the breakdown. What does this mean, and how can we fix it?

Kelly, October 2009

Kelly - no doubt people would disagree with me but that pipe has to be cleared out somehow...I actually cut the pipe near the boiler (at an easy place to get to) and get into it from there...I then remake the joint using a plastic coupler to join the two pipe ends back together. I find this easier than disturbing the boiler pipe work. Usually the condensate is fed into a drain, as its not politically correct to let it drip outside as its slightly acidic. that pipe only discharges a cupfull of water a day so its hardly life threatening!

John, October 2009

have it seveced every year

erj, October 2009

Thanks John
DOes that mean i have to take the front of the boiler off? I dont see how else i would get to the pipe as it seems to run down the back of the kitchen cupboards and then i guess outside. I live in a flat and i dont have an obvious drain outside my flat - i think its under ground???

kelly, October 2009

Have a look for a white plastic pipe under the boiler - it will lead to a drain, rather than an overflow on an outside wall. Poke a piece of wire (coathanger maybe) up the pipe....but your main problem is opening the thing up.....

John, October 2009