Power Flushing for Central Heating Systems

When the inside of a radiator begins to rust, it produces iron oxide which is black in colour. This is commonly referred to as ‘sludge’ and it can move around the central heating system causing blockages in pipes and valves. The central heating system will not work as efficiently when these blockages are present and therefore it is important that they are removed as soon as possible. However, if all the radiators in a property have to be removed and cleaned individually, this can be a very time consuming process. Power flushing can be used to remove this sludge without the need to clean each radiator separately, and it also has a number of other advantages.

How does power flushing work?

Equipment that is used for power flushing is connected to the whole of the central heating system. This equipment is usually set up outside of the property and a cleaning agent is added to the water within the central heating system. When the heating is turned on this cleaner will begin to start to work its way through this system and the rust within the pipes will start to be loosened almost immediately. The sludge becomes loosened when cold spots in the radiators are vibrated. A magnet filter is then used to collect both rust and sludge.

This process will be repeated until the water comes out clean and the pH level is neutral. When this has been achieved a corrosion inhibitor will be added to the water which can stop the problem recurring. If any radiators need to be balanced after power flushing has been completed then this will also be completed.

What are the advantages of power flushing?

Power flushing makes a central heating system more efficient and this brings with it a number of benefits. A system that is more efficient requires less energy and using less energy can save money on utility bills each month. Power flushing can reduce energy bills by up to 50%. When power flushing has been carried out the radiators will be warmer which means they will heat the room more effectively, creating a cosier home. Hot water in the property will also heat up quicker.

Power flushing does not cause too much disruption to residents of a property as all of the equipment is set up outside of the property. The fact that no radiators have to be taken off the wall generally means that hardly any mess is created within the property at all. Reduced mess means that clean up time after the job has been completed is also reduced and this further adds to the time saving nature of power flushing.

If problems with a central heating system begin to be noticed by a home owner then it may be worth checking whether there are any blockages in the system, and if this is the case then power flushing is likely to be the most efficient course of action that can resolve this problem. Most companies will offer a free quote with no obligation so the home owner is able to make an informed decision about whether they wish to use power flushing to rectify the problems with their central heating. It is worth remembering that if sludge has started to build up in the radiators then this problem is only likely to get worse if no action is taken.