Has a power flush been done?

[DaveWebb]

Hi - I'm looking for some advice here. I had a new boiler fitted in the room above the original. The instructions require that the system is power flushed and a magnaclean is put on. A magnaclean hasn't been put on and the heating engineer says he has done a powerflush. However, on decorating a bedroom we removed the radiator and the water was this colour. He has said that a powerflush doesn't get all the rust out and that it will still be alright for a few years.

Is there any way i can verify this? The job was done in about 5 hours of labour - arrived 9 and left at 4 with a couple of hours lunch and collecting parts. Some other bits of the job don't inspire confidence so i am suspicious and don't want my boiler to break down in a few years.

A powerflush and magnaclean are required by the installation instructions and the building regs permit i have is on the basis that the installation is in line with the manufacturer's instructions.

TIA

Dave

 

[CountryFan]

Are we talking 5 hours for the power flush or does this include fitting the new boiler? Did you question why a magnetic filter wasn’t fitted as per mi’s?

 

[DaveWebb]

5 hours all in. He said that there wasn't space to put the magnaclean in but if i wanted one he'd come back and do it in combination with another job i need doing.

 

[CountryFan]

5 hours all in seems too little to carry out a power flush. Was a machine used?

 

[HERTS P&D]

Was a machine used?

Yes, a time machine.

Andy

 

[Madrab]

When was the boiler replaced? if it's within the last few months then that system hasn't been cleaned properly nor inhibited. That is quite simply the rads rusting, and not just a little. Is it a sealed system or vented (small black cistern in the loft space)?

It would be unusual that the installation instructions specifically asks for a powerflush or a specific brand of magfilter. The usual is 'has the system been cleaned in accordance with BS5973 and/or the MI' and the other thing they may ask is 'has a system filter been fitted'.

 

[DaveWebb]

Hi thanks for the responses. Its a standard combi system with a Main boiler. There is a big sticker on the front of the boiler requiring a power flush and magnaclean. I'll take this up with the engineer.

 

[DaveWebb]

Hi wants £400 for a power flush. Is there any way i can prove one hasn't been done?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Hi wants £400 for a power flush. Is there any way i can prove one hasn't been done?

Not really, unless you were there, to witness whether it was done or not. In regards to the magnetic filter - you seem to be suggesting he said it wasn't possible to fit one, yet now he is saying he can fit one after all. His story doesn't quite hang together. The colour of the water, suggests a flush wasn't done, and/or no inhibitor added. My system is 40+ years old, if the water came out of it that colour, I would be very concerned.

There is always a way to fit a filter, even if the filter might not be able to be located in a good accessible place. I think you said he moved the boiler, and therefore even easier to plan a good spot for the filter.

 

[gas112]

i take it you had a standard boiler and cylinder before this boiler

 

[DaveWebb]

He is now saying he just did a flush not a power flush so i don't think i can press him any longer on that point. My rads are probably a bit younger than thirty years but that is a lot of rust, suggesting that the previous owner of the house never put in any inhibitor. What do you think i should do? At £400 for a power flush i'm tempted just to put in new rads myself.

 

[DaveWebb]

The last boiler was a combi too, but i've just bought the house and it was in a state of advanced disrepair.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

He is now saying he just did a flush not a power flush so i don't think i can press him any longer on that point. My rads are probably a bit younger than thirty years but that is a lot of rust, suggesting that the previous owner of the house never put in any inhibitor. What do you think i should do? At £400 for a power flush i'm tempted just to put in new rads myself.

Depending on the condition of the radiators, you could take them out, one at a time, and give each a good flush outdoors if you have the space. Flush alternate ways, hammering at the bottom of the rad, with a rubber mallet to loosen any flakes. Likewise, flush the pipework out - and the right time to tackle it. Whilst it is drained down, you could also fit a filter in the return, they can be had for £40.

 

[DaveWebb]

Great, i'll do that - thanks. When is it time to worry about the rads springing leaks?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Great, i'll do that - thanks. When is it time to worry about the rads springing leaks?

Impossible to judge from a distance, if you caught them in time, they shouldn't leak.