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Central Heating Pipe Power Jetting?

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spuds
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Posted March 15, 2013 at 11:19AM

Perhaps a topic for discussions, due to the changeable and cold weather, and how we all like to keep warm?.

Having had problems with the central heating over the past few months, which as resulted in having a circulating pump and boiler fan replaced. Today having had no heating etc for a few days, the engineer (very busy) called and stated that the problem was actually sludge in the system.

He as arranged for the whole system to be power flushed, and other pipework and some fitments replaced next week.

Have you had this done, did it make a vast improvement, and were there any later problems. Not forgetting how some of us neglect our central heating until things go seriously wrong?.

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lotvic

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Posted March 15, 2013 at 11:39PM

Had mine (rads not parent) power flushed by BG last monday, took all day. It was deemed necessary by BG Engineer who did Annual Service as had major cold spots at middle and bottom of some rads and closer investigation colour of water was rusty red. I have a Magnaclean trap fitted and that also was full of gunge. Top of rads were hot, cold spots were due to build up of sludge.

I had paid for a power flush Dec 2009 when had new boiler fitted and couple of rads changed, so this time it didn't cost me anything as was still covered (and also service agreement) It was suspected that the 2009 flush wasn't done properly.....

I spent prior week having to have rads on full heat to circulate the flushing stuff to dislodge the sludge before the powerflush could be done and the old water washed out and replaced with new clean water and inhibitor fluid added.

Despite all promises, I am now finding system doesn't seem to be balanced very well so am fed up with it. If I have them all on, one rad doesn't get hot. If I turn another off then the cold one does get hot etc etc. I also had a lot of air to bleed from one rad as the new water settled (I had been expecting that, so ok)

Overall, yes it is working better now, if only it had been properly balanced I'd be happy with it.

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woodchip

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Posted March 16, 2013 at 9:23AM

lotvic Depending on the design and how many changes since its been fitted you may have air traps these will first need to be cleared, turn heat up to full then start bleeding from rad farthest away from boiler, you may need to do this several times. balancing takes time and you need to know how to do it. Hot rads need to be only turned on enough for them to heat up if you do not have rad stats

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Fruit Bat /\0/\

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Posted March 16, 2013 at 11:56AM

Bing.alau

Yes must have as I don't get complaints from them as to how cold it is

;0)

Where's that edit facility when its needed, to be honest i hadn't noticed the error.

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Midgetninja

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Posted March 16, 2013 at 11:56AM

Power flushing can cause alot of damage to old systems,as it is under pressure it can cause joints to blow and pinholes in old rads. It does'nt touch the boiler so will not make it work better.

The "kettling" noise you get is scale in the heater plate (or hot water plate if a combi) and can sometimes be cured by flushing it out, however if its really bad then a new will cure it and vastly increase the performance and lower the gas bill. (think of it like your kettle, hence kettling)

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chub_tor

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Posted March 16, 2013 at 12:10PM

FruitBat and Bingalau - perhaps it's just a case of the Missing Apostrophe with parents and parent's that would have made the difference..... not in the Birmingham area by any chance?

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Jock1e

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Posted March 16, 2013 at 2:23PM

I am now finding system doesn't seem to be balanced very well.

That usually makes some radiators hotter than others.

One rad valve can be fully opened and the other one just cracked open a little to let the radiators heat up and that has to be done with every radiator in the house.

If Rad valves are open to far it stops heat getting to other radiators so that they only feel warm and not hot.

If you are thinking of doing it go to one of the plumber websites for tips on how it is done.

I turned my heating on and went round all the radiators and put a bit of black tape on the ones that got hot first.It was a while since I did it so cannot quite remember if it was those ones that were cracked open or opened fully.

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onthelimit1

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Posted March 16, 2013 at 3:29PM

Balancing rads is a long drawn out process. I did mine after the flushing work mentioned earlier. I have a temp probe for my Avo which made it easier. Good guide here.

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lotvic

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Posted March 16, 2013 at 5:13PM

What I was fed up with was the 'promises, promises' 'we'll leave it running right for you' from engineers and BG.

I don't have prob with me balancing the rads - once I've got the air out. I've marked the valves etc and about got them to rights, my open vent system has all drop-down rads so air locks can be a problem. Anyway it seems to be about right now.

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flycatcher1

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Posted March 16, 2013 at 7:20PM

Just as an aside. I had a problem with my new Worcester Condensing Boiler. Although its output was supposed to be greater than my old thirty plus year old one the house did not feel as warm.

The solution appears to be running the pump at top speed, a bit noisy but at least the house is warm.

It is difficult to be exact but it would appear that the gas consumption has only been marginally reduced. Need a few more years use to get definite confirmation.

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Fruit Bat /\0/\

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Posted March 16, 2013 at 7:28PM

chub_tor perhaps it's just a case of the Missing Apostrophe

More like dyslexic fingers or "Norman Collier" wireless keyboard that misses out letters / symbols as I type.

:0)

Although you know what they say about a bad workman....

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