Tips and tricks with heavy boilers

[Chewy]

Hi all,

I’m currently building my portfolio which is going great. I have a fantastic mentor too.

Today’s install was a boiler in the loft. If you’re working on your own, how do you manage getting boilers into the loft? I know a bit of muscle but...

I was just wondering if there’ any lifting gear or something to perhaps winch the appliance into the loft?

I’ve slipped two discs, twice, not wanting a 3rd time...Also wouldn’t want to risk damaging the appliance

 

[ShaunCorbs]

block and tackle eg a pully and gear

 

[Harvest Fields]

block and tackle eg a pully and gear

Easy to use as well is done properly

 

[gmartine]

For the really heavy units I use a car airbag, fires it straight through hatch toot sweet.

 

[townfanjon]

I just “ talk em “ up

 

[rpm]

What did your mentor say when you asked him?

 

[Harvest Fields]

What did your mentor say when you asked him?

That’s why I have you

 

[king of pipes]

Simple I never ever fit a boiler in a loft point blank refuse, why would you put it there the coldest harshest environment in the home it's dirty dusty you cannot see what the boiler doing adjust the temperatures, one of us has to come into the personal space for service and break down more than likely in winter wet and grubby access it through a loft hatch lug all your tools and service equipment up there no mate take a bit of advice for a old dog don't do it there's always a alternative, best bit of kit you can buy is a hop up this enables you to have two goes at getting the boiler hung, cheers kop

 

[Last Plumber]

Brute strength and ignorance!

 

[Sharp Point]

If your back is that bad, you’re totally in the wrong trade. It’s not just the heavy lifting, it’s the awkward positions you have to constantly work in.

 

[Last Plumber]

If your back is that bad, you’re totally in the wrong trade. It’s not just the heavy lifting, it’s the awkward positions you have to constantly work in.

That's right.
The job description should contain words like, 'acrobatic contortionist with immense strength, night vision and huge brain, required to deal with every possible scenario imaginable to mankind in any given position'.
As a start anyway!

 

[DGT plumbing]

1. Don't pass out.
2.Don't miss your step when taking an old cast iron one of the wall, they have a tendency to pin you to the floor or the first wall you fall against.
3.Don't drop it.
4. Make sure it hooks onto the wall mounting brackets first time.
I'm sure there's more but that's all that comes to mind at the moment.

 

[dan_the_plumber]

Fit lighter boilers. I fit Baxi DuoTec as standard. But in a loft I fit Baxi 600, much lighter

 

[Last Plumber]

4. Make sure it hooks onto the wall mounting brackets first time.

In addition to this number 4.
4a/ make sure it does not hook your jumper on the way to floor as you will end up in a stupidly trapped position.

 

[leelister6]

Let some other phooker do it!

 

[Chuck]

If you’re working on your own, how do you manage getting boilers into the loft?

You don't. Get someone properly trained to help and use the correct lifting equipment in the correct way. Ask your mentor about the Health and Safety At Work Act. It creates duties for employers, employees and the self-employed.

Please don't cut corners with this stuff. Your back has already been damaged, you've had your warning. You are just one bad lift away from being off work permanently and living on benefits.

Work safe!

 

[jtsplumbing]

Think your self lucky , when I started boilers were all cast iron, BB units, Floor standing and wall mount, no such thing as a light boiler back then, but to put one in a loft (Only place ?) is a 2 man job, unless its a intergas then you will need a hoist.

 

[dan_the_plumber]

TBH with 2 blokes it’s easy. One at the top of the ladder, the one at the bottom picks the boiler up, slide it up the ladder. Then the other bloke on top grabs the boiler by the flue hole. Then the two of you just man handle it up there.
I’ve done a Duo-Tec by myself a few times. That’s a silly thing to do! Just get an able fella to help you for 10mins