PowerFlush

[Sonic70]

One of my neighbours who has a system boiler has been advised to have a power flush because they have alot of magnatite buildup in their pipes around the central heating pump. The plumber has said he wouldnt do a chemical flush as it could cause leaks and advises a power flush as it needs a good clean and he can do it bit by bit. Any advice would be appreciated.
He also said he couldnt do the power flush himself as a specialist would need to do it as he only does chemical flushes.

 

[gas112]

So are they having problems with the heating? do the rads have cold spots in them

 

[Sonic70]

My neighbour tells me part of the system takes ages to get hot, the pipes around pump in airing cupboard are holding a magnet and the boiler keeps cutting out due to a lack of flow.

 

[oldbuffer]

1. If the pump is in the airing cupboard and not inside the boiler, then he has a heat only boiler, not a system boiler.
2. One of the pipes joining the system near the pump (theoretically within 150 mm of it) is likely to be the feed from the feed and expansion tank (in the loft?)
3. It is not uncommon for the feed pipe to get blocked. The cure is to cut out replace the pipe / blocked parts of it.
4. If a blocked feed is the problem, neither chemical not power flushes are likely to do anything to cure it.
5. Perhaps your friend might like to seek the advice (paid for) of a different plumber.

 

[Sonic70]

Pump is in the airing cupboard with header tank in loft. I think the plumber said something about it costing too much to cut out all the affected pipes, which again I think is not correct.

 

[Nige F]

No that's not correct - cut out and re pipe is usually straightforward.

 

[Sonic70]

My mistake, it is heat only not system.

 

[Sonic70]

Nigel F, that's what I thought as well.

 

[Sonic70]

So cut out affected pipes and chemical flush system afterwards with sentinel x400 for instance.

 

[Sonic70]

Update, the neighbour doesnt want to cut out the affected pipes as thinks it's a lot of work in airing cupboard and is looking to get it power flushed by some firm who specialise in only doing power flushes. He is also not keen on doing a chemical flush using x400 as he thinks leaving it in system will cause leaks on his old pipes.

 

[Bod ...]

Chemical flushes just upset the apple cart and you'll have debris floating around the system there on looking to block elsewhere.

Powerflush the system.
Don't use a powerflushing company as these fellas tend not to be plumbers.

I sometimes add an x400 a week or two before the PF to get into the nooks and crannies

If there is a blocked feed I'll cut out and clean. You can generally tell this if the header tank stays full once we drain the system

When I flush I take the pump out and replace the valves then connect the machine. While the flush is doing its job I strip the pump and clean. I also clean the header tank.

I've had systems that are near dead come to.life purring.

You just need a good Plumber/Heating engineer who knows how to powerflush

 

[Sonic70]

I thought the same about this so called specialist power flush company, thanks bod

 

[Bod ...]

I thought the same about this so called specialist power flush company, thanks bod

Just look at their websites and see if they advertise for Powerflush engineers.

Additional works are done by independent heating engineers at additional cost.

These problems need correcting before the PF otherwise it won't be a successful flush most of the time and not after.

 

[Sonic70]

Great advice bod. Will pass it on.