How can you tell if your heating system needs power flushing?

Did you know that it is generally recommended that you have your heating system power flushed every 5-6 years or when you have a new boiler fitted.  Maintaining your heating system in this way ensures it is clean and working as efficiently as possible.  It can also prolong the life span of your central heating system.  

However, most people only ever get a power flush when there is a problem.  Below are our top indicators that mean you may need a flush.  Take a look and if any of these apply to you, give us a call at ACL Plumbing for a free quotation. 

Cold spots on your radiators, particularly at the bottom.

We often get calls about this problem.  What is happening here is sludge and dirt is settling at the bottom of the radiators in little piles.  The more this builds up, the more cold spots appear.  If you haven't had a flush for at least 6 years and are experiencing cold spots, then a flush could be the answer for you.  

The radiators require constant bleeding.

If you are bleeding your radiators regularly it could mean there is more going on inside.  It can be a result of gas generation, in particular hydrogen gas, as it is a by-product of the corrosion process.  Give us a call on 01536 903123 to discuss your system in more detail.  

Noisy radiators and boiler.

Noises from within your boiler could be caused by an array of things.  If the noise can be described as "kettling" then it may be a build up of limescale in your heating system.  We never advise you to tamper with your boiler, it is always safer to get a Gas Safe engineer to take a look and advise what is the cause of the noise.   

Radiator leaks.

Not all leaks will mean your system needs a power flush.  However, pinhole leaks are tiny holes in your radiators that are usually caused by rust and corrosion and form after sludge builds up over time.   If you are replacing a leaking radiator, just consider if there is an underlying cause at play that needs addressing.  

Frequent breakdowns.

Breakdowns can be costly, so if you are having regular central heating breakdowns, you may want to ask your engineer if a power flush is advised.  At ACL plumbing, we have the machinery to do this for you and will always let your know when servicing your boiler if we advise this needs to be done. 

 

Central heating takes a long time to heat up.

This may be something as simple as trapped air, however, if you have bled the radiators and there is still a problem a flush maybe the answer.  

Our recommendation: There may not be any rules stating that an engineer must be Gas Safe registered to perform a power flush, but you must ensure that the person doing the procedure is competent and able to do the job properly. You should never attempt to do it yourself, especially if your boiler needs opening up or there are other faults in your central heating system which need looking at.

As well as the fact that there are risks involved in using specialised chemicals, a mistake could mean your heating system performs worse than it did before. Plus, you run the risk of invalidating your warranty, leaving you in the lurch if something goes wrong. If something does go wrong and you need a new boiler quickly but don’t have the cash upfront, you can now get a boiler on finance so you can spread the cost!

Top tip: If you can, consider booking a power flush in the summer when central heating engineers are less busy. They’re still available in the winter months, but you may have to wait longer for an appointment as everyone is using their boilers then and breakdowns are more common.