Sewage Treatment Plant Problems Caused By Condensing Boilers
If your house has a sewage treatment plant or septic tank then the condensate from a condensing boiler cannot be run into the foul drainage system It also causes serious problems if it is disposed of into soakaways
The sales of condensing boilers have increased dramaticallyas a result of changes to Building Regulations in 2005.
Condensing boilers may be energy efficient, but every new technology brings problems that become evident over time.
The problem is that the condensate is very acidic – the pH of condensate from an HE (High Efficiency) boiler is typically 2.9 to 4. The average amount of condensate produced is substantial at over 800 litres per year.
This fact was not taken into account and many installations were carried out which could eventually result in serious damage to septic tanks, sewage treatment plants, drains and the structure of the property.
The little known fact is that condensate from gas boilers contains nitric acid and that condensate from oil boilers contains a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids. These condensates are very acidic and will dissolve lime-based mortar, clay drainage pipes and concrete septic tanks, as these are all alkali in nature. The condensate will also kill the beneficial bacteria in sewage treatment systems.
Under no circumstances should High Efficiency boiler condensate be put straight to ground or down the side of buildings as the lime is dissolved from the mortar, resulting in continuous re-pointing of the brickwork. In serious cases, we have seen the entire foundations of a wall undermined as the acidic condensate found its way to the house wall and ate away the foundations. Underpinning is NOT inexpensive and it is certainly something to be avoided at all costs!
Discharging direct to ground is also not an option as there is likely to be a significant detrimental effect on local groundwaters.
These boilers may be ‘GREEN’ in energy terms, but their condensate certainly isn’t!
Processing your request, Please wait....
