Do You Need a Powerflush? How to Powerflush a Central Heating System

We often get asked: “Do I need a powerflush of my heating system?”. As powerflushing is one of the procedures that you perform in case of heating system problems, you have to check for the signs that give out those problems. It can be differences in room temperatures, long heating time or even weird noises. If you notice any of these signs, then the answer is: “Yes, you need a powerflush”. However, how do you identify the signs that show that you need a central heating powerflush and not something else?

In this post, we will tell you what to look for and when to take action. So, if you:

• Want to know how to better maintain your heating system and prolong its life;
• Are wondering what a powerflush is;
• Are asking yourself if your system needs a powerflush,

Then read on! This post is for you.

What is a powerflush?

A powerflush is a cleansing procedure carried out on a heating system, using a special pump. The goal is to remove dirt, sludge, debris, and rust that might build up over time in your boiler, pipes and radiators.
With time, the build-up can block the water circulation, making the heating system inefficient. More importantly, every now and then, the dirty water may cause damages to your radiators and pipework. This can eventually cause your boiler to leak water underneath or oven worse, a total system breakdown which would require the replacement of your boiler.

Do I need a powerflush?

It depends on whether your system is dirty or not. Usually, newly installed heating systems don’t require powerflushing unless there is a problem causing a higher-than-normal volume of sludge build-up.

If your heating system is relatively old, and you have never had a powerflush carried out before, then it is advisable to perform one.  However, only a professional engineer can diagnose the problem.

As an example, if you’ve had a boiler fault and British Gas has told you that you have to get a powerflush carried out before they replace any parts (usually a heat exchanger), then you’ll need to get it done.

In case you have experienced the following issues:

Then it may be time to have your central heating system chemically flushed. Over time, your system will become inefficient as your boiler will struggle to heat the radiators. One way to prevent this is to do a powerflush.

How to powerflush a central heating system

Unfortunately, powerflushing cannot be done with the push of a single button.

The procedure is performed with the help of a cleansing device. Firstly, an engineer will attach the device to one of your radiators, and slowly push the cleaning solution through the whole system. The cleaner is designed specifically to dissolve corrosion and effectively remove sludge.

Moving circularly around your house, the engineer thoroughly washes off the debris and rust build-up from your system. Once the procedure is done, the professional will add an inhibitor to control the oxidation and sludge build-up for a longer period after flushing.

You should know that this procedure can take up to several hours, depending on the size of your property. It’s also not recommended to perform a powerflush by yourself if you don’t know the specifics of your type of heating system. 

So, if you find any of the problems listed above, you should turn to a plumbing expert to inspect the condition of your heating system and decide on the best course of action.

Does powerflushing really work?

Powerflushing has truly proven to clean out the water and debris in heating systems. Keep in mind that if you have a boiler fault, it’s unlikely that the powerflush will fix it. However, this would be the first step to getting your boiler repaired and preventing further damages after it’s been fixed. It is better to powerflush the system before you replace any boiler parts.

How does powerflushing increase heating efficiency

The heating efficiency is improved after a powerflush because once the system water is cleansed, the water flows easier through the pipes. The boiler needs less effort to work when the water is clean. This will increase the longevity of the entire heating system and prevent airlocks from forming in the radiators.

Why do boiler manufacturers ask you to carry a powerflush when a new boiler is installed?

The quick answer is – to maintain your boiler warranty. If a new boiler is fitted onto a system that has dirty water inside, it’s more likely to get damaged. After cleansing the system water, the boiler is protected to some degree.

Similarly, manufacturers require the boiler to be serviced annually. After all, a well-maintained boiler is less likely to fail.

Hire a professional

IfIf you are experiencing any problems with the heating system, it’s advisable to seek professional help instead of trying to find the problem yourself. It often turns out that there is no major issue, just that the system was not power flushed in a long time, or at all. Ensure your central heating system working properly, book expert power flushing service! You can always subscribe for boiler and heating system cover plan, and get a visit from a professional whenever you need it at no extra cost.

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Have you ever performed a powerflush? Share your experience in the comments!

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