Power flushing
Sludge and rust out, heat back in.
Over the years, the water in a central heating system picks up rust and debris that settles as sludge in the radiators and pipes. Radiators go cold at the bottom, the system takes longer to warm up, and the boiler and pump work harder than they should.
A power flush pumps water through the whole system at speed, with cleaning chemicals, to lift that sludge out. Each radiator is flushed in turn until the water runs clean, and the system is refilled with fresh water and an inhibitor to help keep it clean.
On the day
What a power flush involves
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Connecting up
The flushing machine is connected into the heating system, usually at the pump or a radiator.
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Cleaning the system
Water and cleaning chemicals are pushed round the system to loosen the sludge.
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Radiator by radiator
Each radiator is flushed on its own until the water coming out runs clear.
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Refilling and protecting
The system is refilled with clean water and an inhibitor, then checked and balanced.
Questions
Questions people ask
How do I know if my system needs a power flush?
Common signs are radiators that are cold at the bottom, dirty or dark water when you bleed a radiator, a noisy boiler or pump, and a system that takes a long time to heat up. A cold radiator can have other causes too, so we check before recommending one.
How long does it take?
Usually most of a day. It depends on how many radiators you have and how much sludge there is.
Will my heating be off?
Yes, while the work is going on. It is back on before we leave.
Radiators cold at the bottom?
Tell us what your heating is doing and we will let you know whether a power flush is the answer.