Power Flushing

The power flushing pump is simply connected into the heating system, either across the standard circulator pump couplings, across the tails of one radiator, or wherever most practicable. Power flushing is a highly effective cleansing operation which works by pumping water at a much higher velocity than usual through the heating system, to loosen and mobilise harmful corrosion deposits and to suspend them in the rapidly moving water. The process is mad more effective by specialist cleansing chemicals and an instantaneous flow reversal device, which creates turbulence in the radiators to optimise “pick up” of the debris. Power flushing is not a high pressure operation and it is suitable for most domestic wet central heating systems. It is carried out with minimal disturbance and disruption to the normal operation of the system, often without disconnecting the boiler or any radiators.

Cures flow and circulation problems. Restores system efficiency. Restores heat output to radiators. Cleans the whole system, including underfloor pipework. Removes aggressive water; treatment prevents further corrosion. Cures or prevents boiler noise. Power flushing and descaling in only one visit. Complete process carried out in less than a day. More effective than traditional flushing methods. Minimises boiler warranty problems.

Yes it can, but the flow rates will be greatly reduced and so the flush may not achieve the same results as with a normal larger bore system. A microbore system is a heating system that uses pipework smaller than 15mm. In the UK this is normally 8mm or 10mm. Microbore systems are more prone to circulation problems and blockages.

Virtually all older central heating systems are suitable for power flushing. If you are having a new boiler installed you will have to have the system power flushed.

Radiator water black with iron oxide sludge. Heating system slow to warm up. Cold spots in the middle of the radiators. Unpleasant boiler noises. Repeated pump failure. Radiators need frequent bleeding. Leaking radiators from pin holing in the radiator body. Power flushing will clean a central heating system internally improving radiator performance and heat output.

The high efficiency and compactness of the heat exchanges on modern condensing boilers (developed to minimise fuel costs and pollution) makes them more susceptible to problems caused by debris in the system water. Boiler manufacturers insist that heating system must be thoroughly flushed before installing a new boiler. It is important when installing new boilers into old systems that all sludge is first remove from the system or this could accumulate in the new boiler and lead to premature failure. Additionally, in hard water areas existing systems will have accumulated limescale together with corrosion deposits I the heat exchanger, which would easily have reduced the boiler efficiency by over 5%. All new systems should be pre-commission cleansed in accordance with BS:7593 and Benchmark. This ensures flux residues, excess jointing compounds, mineral oil and other contaminants that can be found in the system following installation that can effect the performance of the system or cause component failure, are removed.

The success of a power flush will depend on the level of heating system corrosion which has occurred beforehand. The process will cure most circulation problems, but cannot undo the corrosion and gradual decay that has led to the need to power flush the system. Whilst it is rare for a heating system to experience leaks after the power flushing process, it is not possible to inspect a system internally beforehand. The need to use a flushing and dispersing chemical for effective cleansing means that occasionally we may find a leak. The advanced stage of corrosion required for such a situation means that the leak would occur imminently even without a power flush. We believe that it is better that it occurs whilst we are present to remedy the problem rather than for it to arise over a weekend or whilst the house is unoccupied. Systems which have been neglected over a period of time or have not been treated with an effective corrosion inhibitor may have severely compacted corrosion debris in the pipework, radiators or boiler. It is possible that even after the power flush, some radiators may still not be fully effective or boilers on the margin of failure may cease working. This is due to sludge and debris later breaking loose and collecting in the heat exchanger.