Have you noticed any cold patches on your radiators? Are there any strange noises coming out of your radiators or boiler?
It could be a sign that you need a power flush.
What is a power flush?
Over time, dirt and sludge can build up within your central heating system which will prevent your boiler from running efficiently. A power flush uses a fast-moving chemical solution to clear out all the accumulated debris and sludge to leave your boiler, pipes and radiator clean and working properly.
When do you need a power flush?
If you spot any of these warning signs in your central heating system, you should consider getting a power flush:
- Cold areas at the bottom of your radiators
- Some radiators don’t heat up as well as others
- Boiler keeps breaking down and needs to be restarted
- Discoloured water when you bleed the radiators
- Loud noises from your boiler or heating system pump
- Heating is slow to warm up
- Tap water is cloudy
It is highly recommended to perform a power flush when you have a new boiler installed. For existing boilers, a power flush every 5-6 years is recommended to keep your system in top working condition.
If you think you might need a power flush, don’t leave it too long. Eventually, the sludge in your system can cause blockages and damage, leaving you with a system breakdown and a costly repair bill.
What are the benefits of a power flush?
There are plentiful benefits to getting a power flush:
- Radiators heat up quicker
- Radiators get hotter
- Radiators and boiler become quieter
- Lifespan of your system is increased
- Reduced chance of costly breakdowns
What happens during a power flush?
The power flush process involves getting a qualified plumber to connect a pump to your central heating system. The pump pushes a special chemical solution through your pipes, boiler and radiators. This solution removes all sludge, rust and limescale, and incorporates a corrosion inhibitor to prevent rust forming in future.
The time required to do a power flush will vary depending on the size of your home, the number of radiators, and the type of heating system. If you have a combination boiler or sealed system, it will make things quicker because the cold feed and expansion piping don’t need to be capped off.
The whole process should take anything from half a day to a whole day.
Who should carry out a power flush?
You should always have a power flush performed by a qualified professional who is trained to handle the special chemicals and equipment required to perform a power flush.
It’s not advisable to attempt to perform a power flush yourself due to the risk involved from handling the chemicals and equipment. A mistake could cause damage to your system and worsen any existing problems. Bear in mind not using a qualified professional may also invalidate your manufacturer’s warranty.
How much will a power flush cost?
The cost of a power flush will depend on the size and age of your central heating system. Although a power flush entails an upfront cost, it can save you a lot of money over time in reduced heating bills.
Think you might need a power flush for your central heating system? Why not talk to our fully qualified, Gas Safe registered, Platinum Plumbers team. Reach us by phone on 020 8855 0361 or via email at for a friendly chat or to book an appointment.
