getting to a HE and is £250 too much for a desludge

[GH blackpool]

hi there folks

I've a ravenheat rsf85et, it's about 6years old.

I've emergency cover with DirectLine and have them out about once a year over the past 3yrs, have had a replacement DV and PCB in this time, and thermisters replaced Friday 17th after issues with very low hot water temperature (but the CH was fine).

Long story short, my hot water is now generally fine but occassionally it's very intermitent - ie sometimes the hotwater supply turns cold, then heats for a few secs, and repeat, rpt, rpt.

this actually happened on Friday when the engineer tested the water after replacing the thermister and he said its likely the HE and that I could try a desludge for about £250, and if this failed then my insurance would cover replacing a knackered HE.

However, the boiler is inside a cupboard in a fitted kitchen, and he said to get to the HE, the cupboard (and hence attached cupboards too) would need to be ripped out.

2 questions if I may?

Is this the only way to get to the HE and replace it? i.e. do you have to get at it via the side (which would be impossible with it being built into a cupboard)?

And can anyone suggest an approximate price for a desludge (he said that they inject a chemical via a filling loop, leave it two weeks, and then empty it out)? or is £250 quite accurate and reasonable?

Thanks in advance, we've a baby due in 2 weeks - this is all we need

 

[chrishutt]

I'd be suspicious of what is being offered. In the first place, check what clearances around the boiler are required by the manufacturer. These clearances will be given in the manual. If you have the necessary clearances then there is no need to move any cupboards.

Secondly, it sounds like the DHW HE might be clogged, but a desludge as described is unlikely to stop this happening again. Only a thorough flushing (with mains or pump) will clear the bulk of sludge in the system. Such system flushings are likely to take a whole day and would be good value at £250. Power (pumped) flushing is usually £300+.

 

[GH blackpool]

sincere thanks for the reply.

I've checked the pdf on the ravenheat website and it says that SIDE clearances (as this is where the issue lies) should be 3inches for servicing and maintenance. The actual side clearances are more like 1cm.

This has got me worried about something completely separate - bearing in mind that no vents are obstructed and the cupboard it is in has no actual "roof", does this contravene H&S?

 

[chrishutt]

No ventilation problem, but they are justified in asking you to move the cupboard to allow for maintenance.

 

[GH blackpool]

cool, thanks mate

 

[suffolklad]

just un hook the kitchen cupboards then rehang them . if they are in a line each cupboard will be screwed to the one next to it .