Boiler condensation drain pipe - steam rising?

sadie9

Hi, our oil burner/boiler outside has a smaller pipe going into the ground.
Think it's called the condensation drain pipe.
When the boiler is firing (and steam/condensation comes out the top in the normal way) there is steam also around this smaller pipe where it goes into the ground.
Is this normal? I attach a pic. It only seems to happen when the boiler is firing. Thanks!

Wearb

What make of boiler?
It would be worth having the trap investigated to make sure its clean, working properly and connected properly.
You could follow the pipe back to see if there are any obvious problems.

Another problem -if it's been neglected- is that the heat exchanger could be partially blocked causing the burner to blow the water out of the trap.

sadie9

It's a Firebird.

John.G

Those Firebird condensate traps gave trouble, think they were made of plastic and used to melt and are now replaced with stainless, they may be supplied FOC by Firebird?. But may be only need refilling with water if boiler hasn't been running in condensing mode.