30/10/2026
🔧 A routine boiler service that uncovered a potentially dangerous fault!
I was carrying out an annual boiler service on an Alpha boiler in Ealing Broadway, W5, when the combustion readings came back well outside the manufacturer’s permitted tolerances.
Something clearly wasn’t right.
Further investigation revealed that the boiler’s flue was leaking. On closer inspection, I discovered significant corrosion, including a hole that had developed in the outer flue pipe.
The photographs show just how badly the flue had deteriorated.
The damaged flue was removed and replaced with a new flue assembly and terminal.
⚠️ Why is this important?
A boiler’s flue is designed to safely carry combustion gases outside your home. If the flue becomes damaged or starts leaking, it can present a serious safety risk.
What’s concerning is that a boiler can appear to be working perfectly normally, providing heating and hot water, while a potentially dangerous fault goes unnoticed.
This is why an annual boiler service is about much more than simply checking that the boiler works.
Proper combustion testing and safety inspections can identify problems that homeowners would never normally notice.
A good example of why regular boiler servicing matters, particularly as we head into the colder months.
