Millions of households could be affected as low temperatures increase risk of boiler breakdown

According to insurer Direct Line, many households in the UK are at risk of their condensing boiler heating systems failing due to external drain away pipes freezing in the current cold weather snap.

In the last five years in England and Wales, since April 2007, the number of households that have this type of boiler has increased significantly, as it became a legal requirement that all gas boilers must be condensing.

The freezing of pipes is stopping the waste liquid, condensate, from draining away, leading to a “backing up” of the liquid, which will cause the boiler to fail and cut out. National property claims manager at Direct Line home insurance, Martin Egan, said, “With the Arctic weather hitting the UK, we are predicting an increase in boiler failures due to condensing drain away pipes freezing.”

He continued, “The problem can be resolved by effective insulation of the pipe, which homeowners can do themselves and save having to call an engineer out. If the plastic pipe from the boiler is in an outside area and is not insulated, it is likely to be frozen and, if isn’t already, it is likely to as the cold weather persists.”

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