I noticed this hole in the pipe/duct/flue in my boiler. The technician used it to measure something, covered it, but it opened again. Need I do anything about it?

by GalacticSuppe

14 comments

  1. Hey folks. So this is in my kitchen. A technician recently serviced my boiler and I think this is the Abgasmessöffnung as the did stick a tool in there. He had covered it with a tape or sticker, but since the hole is once again opened, I’m wondering if I should run to a hardware store and buy some aluminium tape, or if this is good to leave it like that. Should I alert the apartment manager?

    Thanks in advance for any notes!

  2. yes, needs to be covered and sealed
     otherwise you will get CO exhaust leaking in the room which is deadly. make sure you have a working CO detector installed for safety.

  3. This needs to be covered, if it’s not you run the risk of *DEADLY* carbon monoxide poisoning. Inform your landlord asap and figure out steps to fix it today. 

    EDIT: for safety reasons I would recommend turning the boiler off. Make sure you air out the room properly.

  4. Yes, there usually is a small metal cover that has two spring-like wires that should keep it inside. Check if it fell out. If you find it, you can just put it back in.

    Edit: it might have fallen inside the heater. Get a flashlight and a ladder and check from the top. To be sure disengage the fuse before you reach inside.

  6. This can also be seen as a “revision opening”. There are certainly aluminum adhesive strips to stick on. This wraps around for a secure hold and then it is tight. DIY store rules.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=Aluminiumklebestreifen+baumarkt&client=firefox-b-m&sca_esv=8b1efc629c324478&channel=ts&source=hp&ei=8DNpZ5eBNNq5i-gPnYj-wAE&oq=Aluminiumklebestreifen+baumarkt&gs_lp=EhFtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1ocCIfQWx1bWluaXVta2xlYmVzdHJlaWZlbiBiYXVtYXJrdDIHECEYoAEYCjIFEAAY7wUyCBAAGIAEGKIEMggQABiABBiiBDIIEAAYgAQYogQyCBAAGIAEGKIESMdXUKIJWO5ScAF4AJABAZgBfaAB2gyqAQM4Lji4AQPIAQD4AQGYAhCgAvQMqAIPwgIKEAAYAxjqAhiPAcICChAuGAMY6gIYjwHCAhEQLhiABBixAxjRAxiDARjHAcICBRAAGIAEwgIOEC4YgAQYsQMY0QMYxwHCAgsQABiABBixAxiDAcICFBAuGIAEGLEDGIMBGMcBGIoFGK8BwgIOEAAYgAQYsQMYgwEYigXCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgIGEAAYDRgewgIIEAAYCBgNGB6YAxfxBYa5_2-G2rxGkgcENC4xMqAHrl4&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp

  8. Normally not an issue. A perpendicular hole in. Tube won’t release plenty of anything. If a gas or liquid is moving through the tube the air from outside will be sucked in

    Also there is a ventilation system in that room which constantly circles the air

  9. How did he cover it? Normally you put a metal Prüflochverschluss on.

  10. Chimney sweep here, we are one of those “technician” who measureing those thing every day. In theory, nothing can actually come out of it because the heater runs under negative pressure. But if the chimney can no longer provide buoyancy due to temperature differences or is clogged, the exhaust gas can be pushed back and exits the heater itself because it is an open system. When you look under the heater itself, you will see the flame when it’s running. The small hole no longer makes any difference. But a CO detector like other comments say is a great idea for those older open heaters.

  11. If you have a, closer Look, you can see that already Aluminum foil used that has been poked through. Just reseat it.
    Apart from that: Don‘t panic. Gas heating units burn gas very clean if serviced regularly. The log is attached to the green sticker on the top right. My unit emits just 3ppm (parts per million) CO, which is totally fine.

    This is no wood/coal fireplace, don‘t worry about excessive amounts of CO.

    Tl/dr;
    Cover it up with the already attached foil, but don‘t panic.

  13. cover it with aluminium tape. the hole itsself will be opened by a technician when he has to measure the emissions. so the hole itself has a purpose. i saw it some weeks ago when a technician did reopen a taped hole on our pipe.

  14. Its very likely the opening where the chimney sweep measures the exhaust gases and forgot to cover it up afterwards. Also there shouldn’t escape any exhaust gases because of the chimney effect. Like others said cover it up with a similar tape from a hardware store but no need to worry too much.

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