A Burnt-Out Case

Every year, in Germany, the heating has to be checked by the local chimney sweep. And, while this is a typically German closed shop system, it’s a good idea: if boilers aren’t properly cleaned and maintained they will be inefficient and also more likely to cause problems, including a higher risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire. Of course, the German also forces owners to “upgrade” every thirty years or so, which is keeps the manufacturers and plumbers busy. That’s very much the German way.

I know the boiler at my mum’s house was fitted at the end on the 1970s when we switched from oil to North Sea gas. It still works but has been known to get blown out in high winds in the winter and we’ve had to learn to relight the pilot light with a bit of spaghetti! No doubt, the boiler could and should have been replaced by one more efficient. But “make do and mend” is very much the British way; probably because it’s cheaper!

We knew when we took the house over that we’d have to get the boiler checked and maintained but also that we’d have to wait until all the building work was finished and thus all the associated building dust had come and gone. We also knew that the boiler had been fitted and maintained on the sly, so there were no records, no bills, etc. I’d mentioned the matter several times to Mr Sauer and were hoping to have it cleaned and checked when the final radiators were fitted.

Well, the annual check by the chimney sweep came first and discovered that the boiler was producing too much soot. We were given 4 weeks to fix this. I called Mrs Sauer who then told me that they don’t actually do oil boilers but work with someone who does. A bit disconcerting because I had mentioned the matter several times. Anyway after a couple of days waiting, Mr Herholz gave me a call and we arranged an appointment.

He came and confirmed that the boiler was, indeed, filthy and that the cause was a rusted and burnt out fire tube. The boiler would have to be off until he could replace it. It’s summer so we don’t have the heating on but we do use the hot water. During the week it’s normally just me and I was due to go to Munich for a of days anyway. But Astrid was working from home as well.

Still the water from the hot water tank would did for a couple of days and when I got back from Munich Mr Herholz called to say he had the parts and came to fit them and tune the boiler.

Today, the chimney sweep came to check and gave us the so clear! Not really very exciting but important all the same!