Self-help: How to defrost your condensate pipe

17th December 2022

Due to the current cold weather, we – like many other providers – are seeing a huge increase in the number of requests for boiler repairs and many of those issues are caused by a frozen condensate pipe.

Good news. This is something you can check and resolve yourself very quickly and easily – without the need to call an engineer. 

If you’re experiencing a fault with your boiler, which is affecting your heating and / or hot water, we highly recommend taking the following steps before requesting assistance. Wait times for engineers are incredibly high at the moment due to the severe weather. If your issue can be resolved by taking these steps, you’ll be back up and running much more quickly – and without having to raise a claim. 

If your condensate pipe freezes, it can cause the boiler to shut down. Here’s a few tips on how to thaw it yourself:

• Firstly, locate the frozen condensate waste pipe outside your property. It’s connected to your boiler through the wall and runs directly into a drain outside. 
• (If you cannot locate the condensate pipe outside your property, you don’t have a condensing boiler and will need to call a heating engineer).
• Boil water in a kettle and leave it to cool for 10-15 minutes. The water should be warm but not boiling.
• Fill a hot water bottle and place it on the pipe where you think it’s frozen. Or, simply pour the warm water directly onto the waste pipe, starting at the top, working your way down towards the bottom of the pipe, closest to the drain.
• Reset the boiler to check it’s working again.
•  Do not disconnect the pipe at any point.
• To prevent future issues, consider getting a thicker pipe fitted or get a trace heater element installed. They’re very cost-efficient and are highly effective.