Powerflush, yes or no?

[Firkin1]

I've been getting quotes for a new boiler. The house is 17 years old and it's the original boiler. When fitted the system had sentinel X100 added.
So far I've had 4 quotes. Two of them said you'll need a power flush as it'll invalidate the boiler warranty. One never mentioned it. And the last guy made a point of saying you don't need a powerflush as long as the system is fully drained and a Sentinel type chemical is added with the new install it'll be fine as modern boilers have a fliter.
So who is correct?

 

[ianmcd]

Did anyone quoting actually test the existing system water ?

 

[Firkin1]

Did anyone quoting actually test the existing system water ?

No. Just had a look at the boiler and in the airing cupboard.

 

[ianmcd]

Doubt it will need a powerflush get some Sentinell x400 and stick it in the system for a week before they come to fit the new boiler, open all radiators and run the heating a few times per day then get them to add x100 once they fill the system back up after fitting the new boiler

 

[Madrab]

When you bleed the rads, if you've ever done that, what colour is the water that comes out?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Two of them said you'll need a power flush as it'll invalidate the boiler warranty.

Not true, the warranty is only invalidated, if the boiler is damaged by your system being choked up with debris. If your system has been properly mainted since install, there should be no debris needing to be cleaned by a power flush.

 

[dilalio]

Get yourself a test kit.

 

[gas112]

First two have lied to you .
what type of system do you have at present are you changing the type . do you have any rads with cold spots /patches on them .Has the system been drained over the past 17 years for fitting of parts /rads

 

[Firkin1]

First two have lied to you .
what type of system do you have at present are you changing the type . do you have any rads with cold spots /patches on them .Has the system been drained over the past 17 years for fitting of parts /rads

We've lived there for 4 years so I've no idea about the system being drained. We've never had any parts replaced that required a draining. Rads seem fine, although I've not checked them recently. It's a heat only boiler with a pressurised hot water system.

 

[Firkin1]

When you bleed the rads, if you've ever done that, what colour is the water that comes out?

It's fairly dirty water. But it's water, not sludge.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It's fairly dirty water. But it's water, not sludge.

The sludge will drop down, so unlikely to show from bleeding the rads.

 

[Firkin1]

Doubt it will need a powerflush get some Sentinell x400 and stick it in the system for a week before they come to fit the new boiler, open all radiators and run the heating a few times per day then get them to add x100 once they fill the system back up after fitting the new boiler

How do i "stick it in the system"? Is this fairly easy? I'm no plumber.

 

[gas112]

How do i "stick it in the system"? Is this fairly easy? I'm no plumber.

do you have a towel rail in bathroom at all ?

 

[dilalio]

do you have a towel rail in bathroom at all ?

And one that's connected on the CH.

 

[vulcancontinental]

Is this your 'stay-in' house for say 20 years or a stepping stone? If the former, when you choose an installer whose judgement you trust ask how much. He's there on the job, say it adds £350, over 20 years you've lost nothing and have started from a known good position rather than a maybe.

Of the latter and you'll be gone in 5 years, take a chance.