Power Flushing CH and Boiler

[rotorjet]

I have had problems with my boiler for years and now have to bite the bullet and solve the problem - clean out my CH. I have a Potterton Puma 100E and after some examination of the bank balance have come to the conclusion that it has to be a DIY Power Flush !
Any advice , apart from don't or get a professional.
I am keen to get the right pipes and manage to cleanout the boiler at the same time.
Appreciate any one's help.

 

[gas_man_gaz]

are ya sure a flush is required? what are the probs ya been having?

 

[rotorjet]

Have had a variety of boiler servicemen look at the boiler over the recent years and a recurring theme seems to be failiure of components due contamination of the system. I can quite believe it as the system was originally installed by a fly by night chancer ( you live and learn ).
Basically insurers are growing tired of replacing components due to the dirt in the CH system ( pump has just failed ! ).
Have average DIY skills but keen to make sure I get the connections right or face making a bad situation worse. Plan to hire power flush from HSS. Instructions seem somewhat basic !

 

[mickyg]

i wouldnt bother. Those boilers are problematic even on a clean system. You won't get rid of all the debris and you'll potentially cause new problems. Put the money away and save for replacement.

 

[yerino]

You have to make it a sealed system.

That means capping off the vent pipe to your F+E tank and cutting in a valve on the cold feed (to your rads) coming from the bottom of the F+E tank and turning it off!

So there are no open ends (and no chance of backfilling the tank).

My advice would be to take the pump out and on one side connect/make up a hose to take mains cold water and on the other side connect/make a hose to take to a drain outside.

Turn on the outside tap and let it flush!

...However, this will not be a great job, but will help! Ideally, it really needs to be done properly with a power flushing machine.

 

[mickyg]

You have to make it a sealed system.

I have a Potterton Puma 100E

that should be quite easy then

 

[seco services]

You have to make it a sealed system.

I have a Potterton Puma 100E

that should be quite easy then

and cheap.

 

[Agile]

...However, this will not be a great job, but will help! Ideally, it really needs to be done properly with a power flushing machine.

So how would you go about that then?

 

[rotorjet]

Thanks guys.
The system that I have is a sealed system i.e no tank , so that should not be a problem.
I appreciate that it may cause some problems but am not sure if a mains water flush would be enough for a 9 radiator system in a medium sized semi. What do you think ?

 

[Agile]

It all depends on how dirty it is, what kind of dirt you have and how effectively you perform the mains water flushing. Also on any pre flush chemical treatment.

As mains water is higher pressure than a flushing machine, done properly it can be better than a PF machine. But few bother to reverse the flow and you cannot use chemicals in the mains.

A PF machine can circulate chemicals and use multiple flow reversals so is easier to use in the case of a very dirty system.

Tony

 

[JohnD]

I am just a DIYer, but I had good results on a very old, dirty system with an iron boiler, by fitting a Magnaclean and adding Sentinel X400. The amount of black sludge trapped in the Magnaclean was very satisfying.

In my own house I got the Spirovent, but as I had already cleaned the system, it trapped far less stuff and was not as satisfying. Better built, though.

 

[yerino]

...However, this will not be a great job, but will help! Ideally, it really needs to be done properly with a power flushing machine.

So how would you go about that then?

Personally, I use a Sentinal Jetflush Powerflushing machine. With a litre of X800 chucked in and 6-8 hours of "flushing" the system is as good as new.

Depends on the circumstances, if I'm putting in a new combi (sealed) system before I install the boiler, I use the flow and return pipes to power flush. If the system is already in place and they just want it cleaning. I (temporaily) make the system sealed (I.e. cap off vent, etc) and take out the pump and flush via that

 

[yerino]

You have to make it a sealed system.

I have a Potterton Puma 100E

that should be quite easy then

and cheap.

Aha, didn't read the OP post well enough!

.. Seco, it only needs to be temporarily 'sealed' so your "comment" makes no sense.

 

[seco services]

.. Seco, it only needs to be temporarily 'sealed' so your "comment" makes no sense.

it does to everyone else considering a potterton puma 100e is already on a sealed system so it'll be easy/cheap as he hasn't got to do or spend nothing.

so why would it only need to be temporarily ?

 

[Beerlover]

IIRC HSS hire out the Kamco for about £ 70 a day.

http://www.kamco.co.uk/GuidanceNotes/PDF/CF30DDVinstructions.pdf

Chemicals should be around £ 50, and you will need a mate to help if something goes wrong; like a rad springing a leak or flush overflowing, etc.

Not rocket science