Powerflushing Boiler?

[Eesha]

Hi,

I have never done this but I've had some people in to check the boiler and they have recommended doing it. I have been quoted 350 but just wanted to understand whether you do see benefits?

By British Gas by any chance? Within the space of 2 months we had 4 different British Gas engineers insist that a Powerflush was necessary on 4 different properties at the cost of around £400 each. My mum also had this about the same time. This was actually about a year ago but they must have had a push on their engineers recommending that service. It was about that time I cancelled my Homecare contracts with them as I just couldn't trust what they were saying anymore. Google it and see what you find.

I have also had another plumber recently tell me that they can do more harm than good as all the sludge in the system is dislodged - which can cause problems and blockages in itself. He told me he had been called out many times to resolve the problems that a powerflush had caused.

We had it done a few years ago and our plumber recently thought it might need doing again but he resolved it with some treatment he put into the system which cleared it. In our case there was sludge in the boiler which he suspects is coming from the old cast iron radiator which we don't particularly want to replace as its beautiful

Our boiler bloke quoted us to do one but also dissuaded us as he thinks they're usually not necessary and are just a money spinner for large firms. I'd certainly want to shop around for second opinions before shelling out for one.

@Cheerfulcharlie no, an independent guy. He didn't push it but said it should really be done every ten years but I've been here 20 and never been done, plus I can't imagine the previous owner would have bothered. I was wondering whether I'd see savings in my gas bill at all?

How old is your boiler?

How old are your radiators?

Does your boiler have a pressure gauge?

Was the system powerflushed when the boiler was last changed?

Have you got a system filter?

@PigletJohn hi, boiler is about 20years old, a Valiant. Radiators are even longer. The boiler does have a pressure guage. I assume it must have been powerflushed when first changed but really don't know. I think we do have a filter as I'm pretty sure the boiler man showed it to me. I believe a previous poster said it might cause more harm than good hence I'm nervous to do it as I now dont seem to have many issues.

Look for the filter and post a photo if you can find one. If not, I would certainly start by fitting one. It will trap circulating dirt and sediment before it can accumulate into a blockage. Typically costs around £100 plus fitting.

Here are some examples

www.screwfix.com/c/heating-plumbing/central-heating-filters/cat2840004