What is a power flush and why do central heating systems need it?
AA Gas Services, Your Plumber in Hull, have completed more than our fair share of power flushes to Central Heating systems for residents and businesses throughout the East Riding of Yorkshire and beyond. A power flush is simply a process that gives your central heating system a thorough internal clean and is intended to remove deposits of sludge to vastly improve the performance of your central heating system; a process which can, of course, lead to lower gas bills.
Surprisingly, we still come across brand new boilers that have been installed by other companies (or the dreaded “cowboy” operator) and the central heating system has not been correctly flushed before fitting, which means, of course, that the sludge from the old system has simply been circulated through the new, pristine boiler. Customers are then often surprised to hear that their new boiler now needs an expensive repair because of this oversight or ignorance of correct procedures.
Power flushing your central heating system can also extend the lifespan of your boiler and, in any event, under part L of the building regulations, your system must be power flushed before an old central heating boiler is replaced by a new boiler.
How does Power Flushing work?
Because the water in a central heating system is always pumped in the same direction and because of the inevitable corrosion suffered by the internal walls of your pipes and radiators, iron filings, sludge, oil and grease build up within each radiator in your system. This has a detrimental effect on the efficiency of both your radiators and your boiler – in fact – your whole central heating system, reducing both its efficiency and its life expectancy. When a system is professionally power flushed by AA Gas Services, the system is flushed completely, agitating the sludge and debris so that the system can be drained of all deposits. Chemical compounds are used to ensure the total breakdown of the sludge inside the system, prior to the deposits being removed.
AA Gas Services is justifiably proud of the position it holds within our community and, as in all cases of expenditure, we try to make our clients aware of all possible eventualities, before undertaking any procedure. It can sometimes, therefore, be the case that power flushing a central heating system can expose minor issues with the system, such as tiny leaks from joints or pin-holes in the radiator, caused by the aforementioned corrosion. These leaks may previously have been clogged by sludge and/or debris inside the radiator. Unless the central heating system is very old, these instances are extremely rare but it does remain something for consideration before agreeing to a power flush, as such leaks can lead to additional unforeseen costs. Once AA Gas Services has power flushed a gas central heating system, inhibitor chemicals are added to the system to prevent further corrosion and to ensure your system runs more efficiently.
Your Plumber in Hull would never undertake a power flush procedure without a thorough examination to ascertain that it is both necessary and beneficial but, once that examination is complete and indicates the need, you can rest assured that our basic offer, of just £300, is both incredible value and your guarantee of total professionalism.
