What Is A Power Flush?

Posted on 10 February 2022 |

What’s a Power Flush and when do you need one?

As noted in our last blog about using your boiler efficiently, a build-up of sludge, rust, limescale and other debris in your central heating system can damage your boiler, radiators and pump. It will also stop your radiators from working properly, costing you money and leaving your home colder than normal.

Luckily, there’s a way to remove blockages and contaminants from your heating system and help keep your boiler, pump and radiators in good shape: a Power Flush. In this article, we’ll explain what a Power Flush is and what’s involved, and answer some of the other questions about Power Flushing that we’re often asked by our customers.

What is a Power Flush?

You could think of a Power Flush as a big spring clean for your central heating system! It’s a cost-effective and efficient way of removing all the nasty stuff that clogs up your heating system and pipes over time, stopping your radiators working properly and putting strain on your boiler and central heating pump.

What’s involved?

A special pump is connected to your central heating system, which pumps a chemical cleaning solution through the system at high pressure. This removes all the deposits that have built up in your radiators and pipework, preventing damage and enabling hot water to flow freely around your central heating system.

There’s no need to remove any of your radiators, although each one can be isolated as necessary to give it a thorough clean-out. At the end of the process, your system will be flushed out with clean water and an inhibitor fluid added to protect against future build-ups and blockages.

A Power Flush can take up to a full day to perform. It can take a bit longer if you have a large property, a complex central heating set-up or your system is heavily contaminated. How much a Power Flush costs will depend on how long it takes and how many radiators you have – you can contact us for a free, no obligation estimate.

What is Sludge?

Sludge (or magnetite as it’s formally called) is the number one contributor to heating breakdowns in the UK. Sludge forms as a result of corrosion within a heating system which, if left untreated, builds up and causes a number of costly problems.

Sludge is the no.1 cause of boiler failure with over 60% of boiler breakdowns in the first 5 years being caused by the build-up of sludge, clinging to parts within your heating system.

What are the benefits of Power Flushing your system?

After a Power Flush, your boiler, heating pump and radiators will be able to work more efficiently, using less energy and potentially reducing your bills. Your home will heat up more quickly when you turn the central heating on and there’ll be no more cold or ‘patchy’ radiators, so you can stay warm and toasty.

What’s more, you’ll have the reassurance of knowing your central heating system is protected from damage and you’re less likely to face the inconvenience and costs of boiler or pump breakdowns when you need them most. Your system’s lifespan should be extended, too.

When is a Power Flush necessary?

At Liverpool Heating, we always recommend a Power Flush when installing a new boiler to an existing central heating system. All leading manufacturers agree that this is the best way to make sure the installation goes smoothly and you can enjoy hassle-free central heating and hot water, especially if your radiators, pump and pipework aren’t new.

Of course, debris will still build up over time, especially if you live in a hard water area. Signs to look out for include:

Cold patches on your radiators, especially at the bottom, which are still there or come back after the radiators have been bled
Excessive noise from the boiler, radiators or pump
Leaky radiators, with dirty water coming out
Hot pipes and cold radiators, with some radiators not heating up at all
The boiler frequently needs to be reset or restarted
The boiler or pump breaks down completely.

If you experience any of these problems, or any other issues, your Liverpool Heating Engineer will be able to tell you whether a Power Flush is the right solution.

How long does a Power Flush last?

This depends on the general health of your central heating system and how new or old your boiler, pump, radiators and pipework are. Generally speaking, the plumbing and heating industry recommends that households have a Power Flush performed every 5 to 6 years.

Is there a cheaper option?

Yes, we also offer Chemical Flush and MagnaCleanse services, which cost less than a Power Flush. These may be suitable if you’re only having problems with a couple of radiators rather than the entire system. However, we’ll often still recommend a Power Flush as it’s the best way to prevent future damage as well as solving the current problem. Your Liverpool Heating engineer will be pleased to discuss your options with you.