What Is A Power Flush?
A power flush is a cleaning procedure carried out by a professional plumbing and heating engineer who is trained and experienced. Power flushing your central heating system means cleaning the central heating water, the pipes, pump, radiators and the boiler (everything that the central heating water runs through).
A power flush is carried out by connecting a power flush machine to the system's circulating pump or a radiator and circulating the central heating water at high flow rates (approximately 10x the standard rate) and replacing dirty sludge ridden water with clean water. The cleaning process uses vigorous chemicals before flushing as well as adding a chemical called an “inhibitor” after flushing that stays in the system and prevents the reformation of sludge.
Benefits of having a power flush done
- Increased efficiency: The more sludge that gets removed, the more of an improvement in efficiency you will have in the system.
- System reliability: Clean systems break down less, as no sludge means no blockages, and less wear & tear on the parts that make up the system.
- Increased system life: Boilers, pumps, radiator valves and radiators last much longer if your system is clean and has the correct levels of inhibitor.
- Leaks and leak damage: Low levels of inhibitor in the system can cause the radiators to rust, and eventually start leaking, causing flood damage and a repair bill.
- Savings: You should therefore save money from not having breakdowns and from the increase of efficiency in your system.
Please note that power flushing can expose weakened areas on the system bringing them to attention promptly during or after the process.