What is a Powerflush?
Powerflushing is the term used to describe the cleaning of a “wet” central heating system.
“Wet” means a system that has a boiler and radiators, as opposed to “dry” or “warm air” central heating. It uses a powerful circulator pump and dedicated chemicals to remove rust, sludge and limescale from inside the boiler, radiators and pipework thus restoring efficiency to what the system would have been like when new. It makes no mess as none of the radiators need to be removed to carry out the procedure.
Typically it takes between 6 and 10 hours to complete, depending on the type and condition of the heating system being flushed. It works by pumping hot water and a chemical cleaning agent through the radiators at a much higher speed (note NOT higher pressure) to release, mobilise and suspend the unwanted particles before pumping them out safely and cleanly. As the waste water is removed to the drainage system, fresh water replaces it much like how a blood transfusion works, until the system is purged and full of clean water. At this point inhibitor chemicals are added to help prevent future corrosion or circulation problems.
We use only KAMCO powerflushing equipment, a market leader in pwerflushing technology. KAMCO machines have the facility to flush in two directions ensuring maximum cleaning efficiency, and powerful wet magnets can be used in conjunction with the unit to ensure all ferrous particles are removed from the system. Each radiator is cleaned and flushed individually in turn to ensure every part of the heating system is treated.
The results are often remarkable, and it is surprising how much sludge even a 10 year old heating system can contain. Symptoms of sludge can be radiators which are cold at the bottom, or radiators which do not come on at all. Repeated pump failiures caused by sludge are common too, the sludge blocks the pump and pipework causing it to work hard and fail prematurely.
If you have ever had problems with “pinholing” or leaking rusty radiators Powerflushing can stop further incidents occuring. Another problem with older boilers is “kettling”, the term used to describe the knocking and banging they sometimes produce, just like the sound your kettle makes when heating up. This is caused by limescale creating hotspots inside the boiler, which dedicated chemicals used in conjunction with the Powerflush unit can completely stop.
After Powerflushing, you will notice your heating system heats up quicker and quieter, the house will feel warmer due to the radiators working more efficiently, and less frequent bleeding of air from the upstairs radiators required.
In conjunction with a Powerflush, we always give you free advice on how you can improve the system efficiency further, from simple lagging of certain pipes, thermostatic radiator valves being fitted, improved controls, to a complete state-of the-art Condensing Boiler upgrade. We are able to offer at competitive rates all work required to upgrade and maintain your central heating system in tip-top condition.