With our busy day to day lives, looking after our boiler is rarely at the top of our to do list. But they can be costly to repair, so keeping your boiler well maintained is key, to ensure it runs efficiently.
Over the years, substances known by professionals as ‘sludge’ can build up in your boiler and central heating system causing rust and other deposits to gather in the pipes and radiators.
This can affect the even distribution of heat and hot water in your home and the efficiency of your system – a Powerflush will help to solve this.
Table of contents
What is a powerflush?
Powerflushing is a cleansing process that removes the build-up of substances in your boiler system. Powerflushing your system is a preventative measure that will remove any debris, and will clean your system effectively.
It will also keep your boiler running smoothly and prevent any costly repairs.
If left untreated, the sludge can cause bigger problems such as blockages or burst pipes, that are costly to repair and intrusive to your home.
What are the benefits of a powerflush?
A build-up of contaminants in your boiler and central heating system means it will be running inefficiently and not performing at its best. Boilers work as one fluid system, so all the parts need to be working at 100% for it to work effectively, and powerflushing will help keep everything running fluently.
There are lots of benefits to powerflushing your system including:
- A more even distribution of heat in your home.
- Saving money on your energy bills.
- A more energy efficient system that is better for the environment.
- Your boiler and central heating system will be quieter.
- Your central heating system will last longer.
- You will reduce the risk of costly breakdowns.
- Your radiators will heat up quicker and reach higher temperatures.
Need an engineer to powerflush your central heating? Get your free quotes here.
Do I need a powerflush?
The need for a powerflush will depend on the age of your system and boiler type. For example, a boiler that uses copper pipes is likely to attract more build up than stainless steel.
As a general rule, if your system has not been treated for 5 or more years, a powerflush is likely to be beneficial. If your boiler is well maintained and you have your boiler serviced annually, you won’t need to have the system deep cleaned as often.
If you think your boiler needs a powerflush, here are a few signs to look out for:
- Your boiler or radiators are making an unusual noise
- There are cold patches on your radiators, particularly at the bottom.
- Your radiators are leaking.
- No water escapes when you bleed the radiator.
- Your radiators take longer than usual to heat up.
- Cloudy tap water (indicating limescale build up)
- When you bleed the radiator, the water is discoloured.
- If your pipes are hot but the radiators are cold, you may have a blockage.
Ask for a free quote to powerflush your central heating from an experienced boiler service engineer today.
How often do I need a powerflush?
It is recommended that a well maintained boiler system is powerflushed every 5 years. The age, model and type of boiler system will all play a part in how often you should powerflush, and if you live in a hard water area, you may need to complete a powerflush more frequently.
It is important to consider that every system is different, and some will develop build-up faster than others, so check with your local boiler professional to decide the right course of action for you.
Can I powerflush my central heating?
A powerflush should always be completed by a qualified service engineer who has the knowledge and experience required.
It should never be attempted by someone without the proper qualifications and training as this could lead to further damage to the system, harm to yourself and will invalidate your warranty.
A service engineer will have the experience of performing a powerflush correctly and have the correct equipment on hand. They will also know which parts to replace and be able to deal with the chemicals and substances that are cleared out of the system safely.
Have a powerflush done professionally. Request free powerflush quotes.
How does a powerflush work?
A qualified service engineer will attach a pump unit to your system that will send powerful cleaning chemicals through your pipes and heating system, to clean away the debris and sludge that has built-up.
Limescale is removed with descaling substances and chemicals that will prevent the build-up of rust in the future are also used.
Then the engineer will force clean water through the system to check it has been cleared, and dispose of the debris properly.
How long does a powerflush take?
This will depend on the type of boiler you have and the size of your home. However, powerflushing will generally take around 5 – 8 hours to complete.
If the problem is worse than first thought or parts of your boiler are damaged beyond repair due to the build-up of sludge, it may take more time to replace them.
If you have a system or combi boiler, powerflushing will take no timer at all. Get your central heating flushed by requesting a free quote today.
How much does powerflush cost?
And now for the big question; how much money does it cost?
In the overview below you will see the average costs for different size homes. These costs include labour and material costs.
| Powerflush | Avg. costs |
|---|---|
| 6 radiators | £400 |
| 8 radiators | £440 |
| 10 radiators | £480 |
| 12 radiators | £520 |
How to get quotes from service engineers near me?
If your boiler system would benefit from a powerflush, get in touch with your local service engineer.
To ensure your powerflush is completed safely and professionally, request free quotes from local service engineers.