There are still plenty of myths about power flushing, what it involves and what it does to your central heating. As power flushing specialists, these are the ones we hear most often, and the truth behind each of them.
Power flushing will cause leaks.
False. A power flush won’t harm or damage healthy radiators or pipes. In rare cases, clearing out sludge and rust can uncover a leak that was already there, as the sludge was plugging it, but the flush itself never causes leaks. Our engineers check for visible faults before they start, and if they see a risk, they’ll tell you and advise you before the power flush goes ahead.
A power flush is really messy.
False. We carry out the flush in a room where any mess is easy to clear, such as a bathroom, kitchen or utility room, and we always clean up afterwards. Our equipment doesn’t use a lot of pressure, so on a healthy system a power flush should leave little or no mess at all. The only time it causes disruption is when the build-up has been hiding a leak.
A magnetic filter does the same job as a power flush.
False. A magnetic filter catches metal particles as they travel around your system and slows down the build-up of sludge, but it doesn’t stop it and it can’t clear sludge that’s already settled. If your system is already clogged, a filter on its own will be close to useless. It works best fitted straight after a power flush, to catch new rust and debris before it settles. That’s why we offer a MagnaClean filter with our power flush.
You can easily power flush your heating yourself.
Not really. You can hire power flushing equipment, but you can’t hire the knowledge and experience of central heating systems. Every system has its own mix of boiler, pipework and layout, and each one needs treating differently. An experienced company makes sure the flush is done as effectively, and as safely, as possible.
Draining and refilling is just as good.
False. For any real build-up, draining and refilling won’t achieve much. It doesn’t give you the high-speed flow that loosens and pushes out sludge and debris, or the cleaning chemicals that help the flush along.
Sludge removers and inhibitors are as good as a flush.
False. Off-the-shelf products can look like an affordable fix, but they’re temporary at best. Sludge removal chemicals liquefy the sludge so it circulates, but it’s still in your system. Inhibitors work well, but only in a clean system, to slow new build-up; adding them to a system already blocked with sludge is a waste. After a power flush, we add inhibitor for you to protect the clean system.
A power flush will fix damage caused by blockages.
False. A power flush removes sludge and clears blockages, but it can’t repair damage that rust and sludge have already done. Once the system is clear, existing damage may become more obvious. Your engineer will point out anything that needs attention when the flush is complete.
A new boiler means you don’t need a power flush.
False. If your old boiler failed because of sludge, the same dirt will circulate straight through your new one as soon as the system is running again. A power flush when the new boiler goes in prevents that, and most boiler manufacturers insist on a clean system to validate the warranty. Find out more about new boiler installations.
A power flush engineer must be Gas Safe registered.
False. Gas Safe registration matters for anyone working on your boiler, but power flushing deals with the water side of your central heating and rarely involves working on the boiler itself. If your boiler does need work or removing, we always call in one of our Gas Safe registered engineers.
An occasional boiler cut-out is nothing to worry about.
Not quite. Even if your boiler only makes odd noises or cuts out now and again, it’s a sign that deposits are building up in your system. It’s better to deal with it sooner rather than later, before it turns into a fault that costs you your boiler.
Power flushing is really expensive.
It depends. The cost varies with the size of your system, the pipework and its condition. A power flush can look expensive at first, but a clean, efficient system pays for itself, saving you money on your heating bills for years to come. See how much a power flush costs, or build your free estimate online in about a minute.
Get the facts about your own system.
Every power flush we carry out is guaranteed for 3 years, or 5 years with a MagnaClean filter. If you’re not sure whether your heating needs a power flush, build your free estimate or call our team on 0800 3277 448 for honest advice.
