Power flushing is a technique used to clear sludge and corrosion from central heating system pipes, radiators, coils and heat exchanger.
the symptoms for system in need of power flushing are usually:
- Cold spots on radiators, even after bleeding
- System slow to warm up
- High heating bills
- Noisy heating system
- Radiators need regular bleeding
Once a power flush is complete, you can expect the following benefits:
- Pipes and radiators will warm up quicker
- More cost efficient system
- increased heating system life
- Heat will be distributed more evenly throughout the home
- Improved hot water
- A warmer home
Power flush process:
The power flushing machine is simply connected into the central heating installation, either across the circulating pump couplings or either side of one radiator. The powerful water flow, combined with a flow reversing device, will dislodge and break up deposits and corrosion which resist normal central heating system cleaning methods.
Once the sludge deposits have been loosened and mobilized, fresh clean water will be pumped at force through the heating system, pushing the contaminated water out through a full bore dump valve to the nearest drain. During the flushing process, radiators are cleaned individually without removing or disconnecting them from the heating system, by directing the water flow of the pump through each radiator separately. Chemicals can be added to the flushing process depending upon the severity of the problem.
Upon completion of the flushing process, the system contains fresh clean water and commissioning of the system to normal operation takes place. A corrosion inhibitor will then be added to the system to help prevent further problems in the future.
Power flushing of the central heating system will not remedy design or mechanical faults of the boiler, but we can do diagnosis and try to detect the problem and advise our customer what to do.
What included and not included:
Power flush carried out by us and as a member of power flush association we follow these steps:
Step 1 - Sludge remover or acidic cleaner (a chemical) gets added to the system to loosen up sludge.
Step 2 - Each radiator gets flushed in turn with the other radiators turned off. There is no need for physical removal of the radiators as it would make cleaning the pipes leading to and from that radiator impossible.
Step 3 - Frequent flow reversals during flushing to disturb the maximum amount of sludge
Step 4 - Magnetic filter gets used with the power flush machine to remove sludge faster and more effectively.
Step 5 - Boiler, radiators and all pipe work gets flushed until water runs clear.
Step 6 - Inhibitor (a chemical) gets added to system to prevent sludge in future.
Step 7- System gets re-balanced radiator by radiator.
Step 2 - Each radiator gets flushed in turn with the other radiators turned off. There is no need for physical removal of the radiators as it would make cleaning the pipes leading to and from that radiator impossible.
Step 3 - Frequent flow reversals during flushing to disturb the maximum amount of sludge
Step 4 - Magnetic filter gets used with the power flush machine to remove sludge faster and more effectively.
Step 5 - Boiler, radiators and all pipe work gets flushed until water runs clear.
Step 6 - Inhibitor (a chemical) gets added to system to prevent sludge in future.
Step 7- System gets re-balanced radiator by radiator.
Work not included:
Works that might be needed, but is seen as outside the scope of a standard power flush as member of power flush association we are recommended to not include the following works in our quotes as not everyone needs it done:
- In some cases there might be radiators that will have to be physically removed and washed out or flushed manually as the sludge in them, might be too thick or have pieces too large, to get flushed trough the narrowing in the radiator valve/s on either side.
- On combi boilers with hot water problems; the secondary heat exchanger might have to be manually removed and flushed out or de-scaled as power flushing the system cannot always clean this part and the sections of pipe leading up to and from it, completely.
- On open vented systems (systems with water tank in loft) the cold feed pipe might have to be cut out and cleaned after or during the flush, because the build-up sludge in this section tends to be hard and standard power flushing cannot always clean it completely.
- Removing radiator valves for any reason except to connect the power flush machine into the system.
- Fitting magnetic filters and any pipe work alterations.
- Any remedial works needed to the boiler or system.
For more information regarding standard power flush please visit power flush association website: www.powerflushassociation.com