Chimney & Fireplace

How long will a back boiler that is leaking last?

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 2.38 PM

Hello. I have a solid fuel fire that heats a back boiler and radiators/hot water. I am not sure how old it is but I have lived here nearly 22 years so it's older than that. Last week I noticed that it has begun to leak presumably through miniscule cracks high up near the throat plate. It's not buckets of water just drips over an area a few inches wide- moist to the touch and the odd trickle. Can you please advise me how much longer the boiler will last once this happens and is it dangerous to go on using it? Also if I replace it will it mean destroying the entire firesurround? Finally if I decide later to install oil or gas central heating will it be a huge job again to fix things so that I can use either the fire or the gas/oil to heat the radiators? Would I be better to do that all at the same time? Many thanks.