Heating system powerflush?

[jen2321]

Not exactly an AIBU but I know this is a high traffic area so posting in the hope of attracting more responses...

Have someone booked in to powerflush our system this week.

2 questions relating to this:

Firstly, if you've had one of these done (or know anyone who does them) do they need to access all the actual radiators? Just need to know how much I need to clean up DCs rooms/ prepare them for the fact someone will be in their room

Secondly, yesterday we discovered a leak in one of our radiators, it's in the actual rad not the pipes or anything. We've turned it off for now and I've ordered a replacement which is coming hopefully before the powerflush.
Is it likely that the chap doing the powerflush will also be able to replace the rad? And if not can he still do the powerflush or do I need to cancel?

I get v anxious about stuff like this, I have a lot of issues with workmen in the past and them not getting why I don't understand 'obvious' things hence why I'm asking here rather than messaging the guy and him moaning at me or whatever!

hopeful bump - anyone can help please?

Not had a power flush, but my OH puts sentinel X400 in to clean system out every year, then drains after a month and puts sentinel x100 inhibitor in after. We also have a magnetic filter on system. Costs about £30 for both liquids and easy to do apparently, oh not a plumber prevention better than cure.
Leaking radiator is not a big job either if you buy identical size rad.

And yes, a plumber can do both jobs

I'm not sure if the guy who is doing powerflush is a plumber as such, he advertises as boiler repair/ powerflush not as general plumbing.

The rad isn't exactly same size as they don't make them quite that size any more. Bit concerned that the brackets on the wall won't fit as it's slightly shorter. I don't have a drill so can't change them.

I'm not sure what to do about getting into all the rooms, whether he will need to do this? one of my DC is studying at home so will not be happy about being up at 7.30 and vacating their room but needs must.

As for access, oh said they will need access to boiler and radiators, mainly the Hughes and lowest in house(for draining and filling) he said power flushes are a bit if a waste of money.
A magnetic filter is a good improvement if you haven't got one, and the sentinel x400 and x100 work wonders.
If you cannot do yourself
, speak to the plumber about cleaning and inhibiting with these products when he does your rad. If done annually you'll get no sludge build up in your system.

Highest and lowest

Had a power flush recently (last couple of months); access to all radiators was required. Ours ahead of boiler replacement. Has made a really positive impact. Initial colour of stuff being flushed out was quite startling, we’ve been in this house almost five years but boiler original and I’d imagine first time the system had been flushed through since original install.

Just to add whilst frequent access to radiators needed it was not that disruptive

Can't remember the details of our power flush, but yes, assume they need to get to radiators. Just worry about making a clear track through to radiators, don't worry about making the room tidy.

A plumber will be able to do both jobs, but they will need to know in advance, because they will have allowed enough time for the powerflush, but not necessarily enough time to do the radiator change too.

This is a magnetic filter, same as ours. They collect the sludge, which causes blocks in radiation and also damages boilers. Easy to clean to. A boiler without a magnetic filter will soon break down.
Power flushes can be £400+.

I need to have a power flush because the radiators are 20 years old and it's never been done, it's been confirmed by 3 separate people so I'm pretty sure I need to have it.

Will break the news to DC re accessing their rooms, we have a couple of days to tidy so it should be doable.

Just thinking about the replacement radiator, if he can't change it over will he still be able to powerflush the system? If he needed to take the radiator off to do it that would be fine, as it's turned off anyway.

Have sent a msg re the radiator, fingers crossed it can either be done or worked around.

Needs access to all rads.
You need to tell him re replacement rad as this will be extra time therefore likely extra cost.

As for the rad, he should be able to do it, heating engineers can change radiators, but given the size difference it will cost and will take a fair bit of extra time as it will involve adjusting pipe work.

The new rad is the same width (give or take 1-2mm) but about 8cm shorter. I think the main issue will be wall mounting it which he might not be able to do. The powerflush takes all day apparently, he is coming at 8am so hopefully time won't be an issue.

My husband is a heating engineer so I can check later with him. I would imagine that the rad needs drained first then refilled for the system to be flushed but I don't know. I'd maybe message him and check.

The engineer will need uninterrupted and frequent access to all radiators, and to both sides. Climbing over clothes etc is not fun when you are trying to flush a system, if it is done properly then yes it will take a day. Fitting a new rad will add an hour onto the job, as you’re paying for a flush I would usually fit a new rad for free.
It does work, I do them. After it is done are they fitting a magna clean to prevent any future issues? Something must have caused the sludge build up so hopefully that issue will be rectified.

I can probably make sure that there is a clear path from door to radiator in each room. Some of the radiators are in awkward places like behind a door or under a shelf/ in a narrow gap but not much I can do about that really.

We live in a v hard water area, the rads are 20+ years old so I was told this is what happens that it gets sludgy unless you're going to remove all the rads individually and clean them out which I don't have the time, skill or strength for. The boiler is about 10 years old.

We had a boiler replacement and power flush was completed before it was swapped over. Access to all was needed so the plumber could open the valves etc. (I think that’s what it was!). Don’t worry about rooms being pristine, just get stuff out of the way. They walk into all kinds of places on emergency call outs with no time to tidy up. :)

Stuff has mostly been moved so all is clear other than in one DCs room who is v unhappy/upset about the idea. Have tried to explain it is essential and only for 1 day and hopefully workman will only need to be in his room for a short time but it's not gone down well :(

Oh, and the response about replacing the rad from the heating guy was he thinks it will be ok but he won't be able to fit it if the size is different. Not sure what I can do in that case (as I can't get one the same height, they don't make them). I guess if it comes to it he will have to just disconnect it and cap it off.

Does anyone know if capping off the broken one would be possible if he can't fit the replacement?

Yes capping it off would be easy, just a couple of blanking nuts.
Also, fitting a smaller radiator shouldn’t be an issue, a larger one yes would be difficult. Height shouldn’t be an issue at all unless it’s under a window

Ah thank you that's a relief. No it's not under a window but the current bracket is right near the top so I think will be too high for the new rad. Hopefully he can move the bracket. My walls are ridiculously solid, last time we tried to put up a picture we broke 3 drill bits just trying to drill a small hole. Fingers crossed he has a decent drill and better luck than me.

We’ve never had our radiators flushed and we’ve been here 25 years. We’re in a hard water area too. Boiler is 25 years old as well. Never broken down.