Using a Power Washer to flush out CH Pipes

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Arthur2shedsJackson

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Hi, I've been having problems on my central heating system, in that I've flushed the system twice, and then added Sentinel X400, but three weeks later one radiator is still not getting hot, only tepid.

I was originally told that the pipes were full of sludge, due to being non barrier plastic pipes and that's why I added cleaner and flushed and although I've got the water in the system clean and all of the other radiators working well, it appears to me that the return pipe from the last radiator on the system is blocked.

This pipe is behind the drywall and I'm loathe to re-pipe unless all other options have been expended.

I've read that using a power washer is an option, but obviously not back through the boiler and pump.
I can access both ends of the pipe, so my questions are:

1 -Is the power wash an option ?
2 - What's the best method to connect it - what adaptor, how will the pressure build up if I just connect directly?

Any advice would be most welcome.
 
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Power washer? Do you mean a powerflushing machine?

Does the radiator get hot if you turn off all the others??

If by power washer you mean the type you clean your car with, then someone was having a laugh when they advised you ;)
 
No it doesn't make much difference if I turn off all of the other radiators.

I did mean a power washer, I read it on another forum, but wanted to check it out.
 
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Just checked, it was this forum in November last year and the poster was thanked !! - See below
PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 11:54 pm Suggest this forum post (or topic) be incorporated into the Wiki Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List Thanks



There is a way to put in more pressure and thats with a pressure washer pump. They can be up to 3000 psi.

Better to put together a tee piece with bleed off to regulate the pressure.

3000 psi would probably open a flattened copper pipe!

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The following user says thank you to Agile for this useful post:
StvPL (7 Nov 2012)

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Read more: //www.diynot.com/forums/plumbing/how-to-unblock-10mm-flow-pipes.341645/#ixzz2nlaxtXJq
nked for the advice !!!
 
Yes as discussed, the jet washer for your car is "powered" to pump a high pressure jet through a pin-hole orifice, thus creating a small jet with a high velocity to ensure it hits the car at high enough pressure to strip the paint off the wing mirrors, and remind you to check the last 1/4 turn on the window winders before you start.

Take the pinhole nozzle off however, and you're left with a dribble that's no more powerful than your standard garden hose. This is because the flowrate from these is quite low; so you'll make the first 1m of your pipework squeeky clean with the high velocity jet, but not much else.

A power flushing machine on the other hand just aims for high flowrate; i.e. an open pipe (not a pinhole) but also with a high velocity flow. This is what clears the gunk from your system and give you your performance back.
 
Cheers mfarrow, that's where I was going in asking how to build up the pressure.

I've just been looking online and I can hire a power flushing machine for £60 and since my regular heating engineer just wants to re-pipe, I think that this is probably my best option.

I don't want to do any damage though, so are these machines ok to run through the whole system, or do I need to isolate the pump /boiler ?
 
If the pipe is completely blocked, then a powerflush is unlikely to cure it, (so what you suggested with the pressure washer might actually have some merit) although its a new one on me!!

I forgot to ask in mg first post, does the radiator have a trv? Have you disconnected the rad and checked there is a good flow from both pipes?
 
Yes, It's got a TRV, which I've checked and it appears to be working correctly.
I've removed the rad, flushed it and reverse flushed it and there is a good flow to the rad.

It's getting hot water to it and there is a good flow, that's why I am assuming that there is a blockage or partial blockage in the return.

Is there anything else I can check, or do ?
 
Arthur2shedsJackson said:
Yes, It's got a TRV, which I've checked and it appears to be working correctly.
I've removed the rad, flushed it and reverse flushed it and there is a good flow to the rad.

It's getting hot water to it and there is a good flow, that's why I am assuming that there is a blockage or partial blockage in the return.

Is there anything else I can check, or do ?
Click to expand...

Have you checked the return for flow?
 
How do I actually check the return for flow ?

Do I need to switch flow and return, or connect to another return, switch off all the other rads at both ends and see if I can get water through a hose ?
 
Well if you do decide to attach your pressure washer to your heating, do you mind if we all come and watch?.........From a safe distance.

It should be a grand day out! :D
 
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