What is a Powerflush?
A powerflush is a cleansing process in which heating systems are forcibly cleansed through the use of a pump which uses water at high velocity but low pressure so that no physical damage is done to the system. The process aims to remove build ups of sludge, rust and other debris
Why might my system need one?
Most central heating problems relate directly or indirectly to sludge or lime scale in your system. Eliminating this makes problems easier to diagnose, helps prevent future problems and makes your system operate more efficiently and economically. It is recommended that an older system is power flushed to remove all debris from the old system before a new boiler is fitted.
Who requires systems are power flushed?
• Most boiler insurance schemes want your system power flushed as standard.
• Manufacturers of your boiler, especially within its warranty
What symptoms indicate the need for a power flush?
• Cold areas on radiators e.g. at the bottom
• Excessive noise from the boiler or the heating system pump
• Discoloured water when you bleed the radiators
• Heating is slow to warm up
• Cloudy tap water (limescale in system)
• Some radiators struggle to heat up as well as others
• Radiators cold but pipes are hot
• Boiler regularly shuts down and needs restarting
• No water escapes when you bleed a radiator
• Noisy radiators and or / boiler
• Small leaks in radiators.
How often is it recommended that a system is powerflushed?
If you carry out regular professional servicing and maintenance annually, then a preventative Powerflush should only be necessary every 5-6 years to clear debris and prevent significant blockages from taking hold
How long does a Powerflush take?
It depends greatly on how much sludge is in your system and system layout. Generally, half a day for a small system and a full day for a large one