--- title: "Back Boiler Replacement | R.K Plumbing & Heating, Brighton" description: "Removing an old back boiler behind your fireplace? R.K Plumbing & Heating handle safe removal, new pipework and a tidy finish across Brighton & Hove." canonical: "https://www.rkplumbingandheatingservices.com/services/back-boiler-replacement" --- Boilers # Back Boiler Replacement If you've still got a back boiler tucked behind the fireplace, R.K Plumbing & Heating can take it out safely and fit a modern replacement in its place, with new pipework, a proper flue and a tidy finish. Our team handles the whole job for homeowners across Brighton, Hove and the surrounding Sussex towns. [Call 01273 911551](tel:+441273911551) ![Bank of copper pipes in black clips running from a new boiler down a bare plaster wall](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-boiler-conversion-woodingdean-20220521-01.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787043551613&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7)![Bank of copper pipes in black clips running from a new boiler down a bare plaster wall](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-boiler-conversion-woodingdean-20220521-01.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787043551613&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7) ## What's involved in your conversion A back boiler replacement is more than a simple swap, so here's a breakdown of what we cover from start to finish. ### Back Boiler Removal & Disposal Safe isolation and removal of the old back boiler, gas fire and any redundant pipework. ### New Boiler & Flue Installation Fitting a modern boiler in a sensible new location with a compliant flue route and fresh pipework. ### System Flush & Commissioning Flushing the heating system and commissioning the new boiler so it runs cleanly from day one. ### Fireplace Making Good Basic repair and finishing around the old fireplace opening once the back boiler and fire are out. ## Taking out an old back boiler properly A back boiler is the sort of thing you only think about when it stops working, or when you realise how inefficient it's become compared to a modern boiler. They sit behind the fireplace or gas fire and use the chimney as their flue, which means replacing one isn't a like-for-like swap. It usually means a new boiler location, new pipework, a new flue and some work to make good the old fireplace opening. We start with a proper look at your existing system before anything gets isolated, so you know what's involved before work begins. Gas, water and electrics are isolated safely, the old back boiler and fire are drained and removed, and redundant pipework is capped or taken out. From there we route new pipework to wherever the new boiler is going, usually a kitchen or utility room, fit the new flue, and connect everything up. > A back boiler swap is really a small heating system upgrade, not just a boiler change. Once the new boiler's in, we flush the system so it's not running through years of old sludge, then commission and test everything properly before we hand it over and talk you through the controls. The area around the old fireplace is left tidy, with basic making good included as standard so you're not left with an obvious gap where the fire used to be. More information We cover this work for homeowners across Brighton, Hove, Woodingdean, Worthing, Lewes, Shoreham-by-Sea, Haywards Heath, Seaford and Burgess Hill. It's a job that often comes up when people are updating their heating alongside other work, whether that's a bathroom renovation, an extension, or just replacing something that's on its last legs. We are Gas Safe registered for domestic gas work, registration 568345, and an accredited Vaillant installer, so the gas side is carried out by our Gas Safe registered engineers, not just a new case fitted over old pipework. > Getting it right means a safer system, better controls, and no chimney breast full of old parts. If you're not sure whether your old back boiler needs a full conversion or something more straightforward, that's exactly the kind of thing worth a chat before you commit to anything. We'll come and have a look, explain what we find, and give you a clear idea of what's involved before any work starts. ### Ready to talk? Get in touch and we'll call you back to talk through your back boiler and heating options. [Call 01273 911551](tel:+441273911551) ### While you're here - [Boiler Installation](/services/boiler-installation)→ - [Boiler Replacement](/services/boiler-replacement)→ - [Combi Boiler Installation](/services/combi-boiler-installation)→ ## Recent work ![Copper tails, isolation valves and a Vaillant magnetic filter below a newly installed loft boiler](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-20210814-01.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787044611330&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7) August 2021 ### Back boiler removed for a loft conversion We removed the existing back boiler, cylinder and storage tanks to free up space for a new loft conversion, then installed an energy efficient Vaillant combination boiler in the new loft. ## Worth considering Boilers ### System Boiler Installation Gas Safe registered system boiler installation for homes in Brighton, Hove, Woodingdean and nearby Sussex towns. [System Boiler Installation→](/services/system-boiler-installation) Boilers ### Boiler Conversion Boiler conversions across Brighton, Hove and Sussex, from removing the old cylinder and tanks to fitting and commissioning your new combi boiler. [Boiler Conversion→](/services/boiler-conversion) Boilers ### Boiler Relocation Moving a domestic boiler to a better spot in Brighton, Hove and Sussex, with pipework and flue rerouted and the appliance recommissioned in place. [Boiler Relocation→](/services/boiler-relocation) ## Before you book A few things homeowners usually want to know before we get started on a back boiler conversion. How long does a back boiler replacement take? Most conversions take around 2 to 3 days, depending on how much pipework needs rerouting and how much making good is needed around the old fireplace. Will the new boiler go in the same spot? Usually not. Back boilers use the chimney as their flue, so the new boiler is normally relocated, often to a kitchen or utility room, with a new flue fitted. What happens to the fireplace once the back boiler's out? We remove the old boiler and fire, then carry out basic repair and finishing around the opening so you're not left with a gap, though any decorative work beyond that would be a separate job. Is my heating system compatible with a modern boiler? Older systems often need a flush before a new boiler is fitted, since modern boilers need a cleaner system than most back-boiler setups. We check this as part of the assessment. Are you qualified to do this kind of gas work? We are Gas Safe registered for domestic gas work, registration 568345, and an accredited Vaillant installer. Gas work is carried out by our Gas Safe registered engineers, under registration 568345. Do you cover my area? We are based in Woodingdean and cover Brighton, Hove, Worthing, Lewes, Shoreham-by-Sea, Haywards Heath, Seaford, Burgess Hill and surrounding Sussex towns. Will it be a big mess? There's inevitably some disruption when a back boiler and fireplace surround come out, but we work tidily, protect the area, and clear up properly once the job's done. Can you sort my heating and a bathroom refit at the same time? Yes, quite a few of our back boiler jobs come up alongside bathroom or heating updates, so it's worth mentioning if you've got other work in mind when you get in touch. ## Let's talk about your back boiler Get in touch and we'll arrange a visit to look at your system and talk through the options, no pressure. [Call 01273 911551](tel:+441273911551)