LEEDS PLUMBER - POWERFLUSH - Flushing Central Heating
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2024
- POWERFLUSHING, MAGNACLEANSE, MAINS FLUSH, CHEMICAL FLUSH, How to flush a central heating system. cchleeds.co.uk/ Power flush, chemical flush, mains flush, Magnacleanse, flush. Let's have a look. My name's Allen Hart and today I'm going to talk about different types of flushing. So Jamie, Jamie Evans asked about mains flushing. So I thought I'd just put a video together of the different types of flushing. Now, what I'd say is, this video is my opinion and it's what I do, so please read the appropriate British standards, et cetera, et cetera. That's my disclaimer out of the way. And always make sure you're competent as well. That's another bit of a disclaimer. So yeah, let's have a look at some flushing.
First of all, I'm going to show you a clip to some power flushing and then we'll have a little chat about that. I'll talk about Magnacleanse, I'll talk about chemical flushes, I'll talk about mains flushes. And if you could, please add some comments below. That'd be really helpful. It helps the video as well. Thank you.
A power flush or power flushing. So power flushing is normally the best type of flush that you can do. It's not always needed. You don't always need to do a full power flush, it really does depend on the system. Obviously, if the water looks like this, then you know that it's going to need a full system power flush. The most important thing that you're trying to do is, you're trying to make the system clean. Now, I know that might sound obvious, but a power flush is not the be-all and end-all. The important thing is no matter what you do, no matter which flush you do, that the system is clean afterwards.
I have done a detailed video on how to do a power flush and I'll just show you a picture of it there. If you want to search for that after this video, and then you can watch that video as well. But what we're trying to do with a power flush is, obviously we're trying to get the muck out of the system, but what we're doing is we're connecting a machine on and we're connecting onto the flow and onto the return of the heating system, and then we're going to put chemicals around the system.
So what we'd do, we would put chemicals in, or what I do, I normally put, I would open all the radiators on the system. I'd put the chemicals in, whatever that might be, X800, or F5, or MC3, or whatever chemicals that you're using. And then leave that to run around the system for at least, at the very, very least one hour. Ideally, if you can, if you could put it in a few days before and let the customer run the heating, then that would be even better. And what you're going to do then, is once you have run it round the system for at least an hour, maybe a couple of hours if you can. And then what you want to do is, you want to turn all the radiators off apart from maybe two radiators, and then see which ones in the house are the least performing, or the ones that are not working very well, and turn all the rest of the radiators in the house off.
Now, what you can do as well is, you could drain the system fully, so you've got all the water out of the system first. And then, when you've put your chemicals in, you've left air in the top of the radiator, and then as it's trying to flush, the chemicals will only go round, or they will try and go around the bottom of the radiator. So they try and go through the sludge in the system, and that's what you want, that's what you want it to do. So as I said then, what you're doing is you're leaving one radiator fully open, and then often I leave a second one open just in case there's a bit of restriction, and you don't want hoses to blow off, because that can make a right mess if that happens.
So then, it's just a time thing then. So you need to go round the radiators one at a time, open a radiator, turn one off, open one, turn one off. When I've always making sure there's one fully open all the time so that there's no restriction in the system. And you can also, with your power flush machine, you can turn the flow the other your way round. So it's got a lever on the power flush machine so you can change the direction of flow. So as I say, if you click up here, if you have a look and search for that video there, it'll give you a bit more of a detailed power flush. And if you've got any questions, please ask them below.
And now what we'll do, we'll have a look at the Magnacleanse and what the difference is with a Magnacleanse. A Magnacleanse is a magnetic filter that you connect into the heating
Just finished installing 7 out of 9 new rads on a new combi ready for the winter. I have now run F3 through them for a day (old rads were grim...installer obviously didn't flush them through as the boiler was only installed in May), carried out a mains flush through the system filter (Ideal/Fernox) and topped back up with F1 inhibitor. Feeling well chuffed with myself! Your videos are brilliant Allen, keep it up.
Well done!
Thank you so much for all your posts.
My boiler was losing pressure and I had to "top it up" every month. The plumber said that my boiler was faulty, but I did what you said and checked all the rads and pipework for signs of leaking.
Guess what "Bingo" found a small leak on my dining room rad, sorted that and no more top-up needed.
Many thanks again for saving me lots of time and money.
👍👍👍
Top bloke! Hard to find genuine folk these days
Thank you.
Hi Allen ive just performed a mains flush on each individual radiator, then clean water came out eventually, wasn't thick black sludge because F1 was added13 years ago, I've then put in Fernox F3 into a clean system, going to leave that in for a week, then mains flush whilst tapping bottom of radiators with a 450g white hammer, see if there's anything else if there is, then I get as much out might add Fernox F8 their top cleaner & repeat the process again, I noticed two things No noise in pump area on boiler & all my radiators are getting a lot warmer 👍so I turned down the flow temperature to 50°C still very warm & so the flow temperature is 45°C, hot water is very much improved now thats been reduced from 55°C to 45°C, its Never been flushed in 13 Year's WoW what a massive difference, I expect the running costs to be very reduced, Im a retired Aerospace Defence Verificatiom Qualification Test Engineer, mainly Electronics but we get into life testing with temperature chambers with vibration, I have a Viessmann 200W B2B 35kW Combination 9 radiators 2 bathrooms,
Allen Im sure very pleased with the detailed information from yourself much appreciated 👍 living in an apartment it was something that I could no longer ignore when energy bills were going through the roof & especially my daughter's bedroom wasn't getting that warm, but now yes >well over 22°C can be reached at low settings on the radiators 👍,
The Viessmann 200W B2B is serviced by Viessmann every year, so combination of a system mains flush is fantastic, I'm so very pleased with the results, next afterwards finally flush out and add Fernox F1, then add Temperature control digital interface radiator valves in bedrooms, as when children are out at school no need to ramp up to maximum, I have to eventually ballance radiators after I fit an energy saving pump Viessmann recommend Grundfos unit, probably fit a new automatic air valve & new Diverter valve at the same time, then relax for a few years, I know you like the Viessmann 200W 😮Combination Boilers the engineering on them is totally superb, I should know I'm a test engineer,
Allen I cannot thank you enough great instructions 👍
I said to my friend he's got same problem I want to do that for free & show him the massive difference it can make wonderful now im sitting in comfort without need of a jacket on apartments can be cold opem 3 walls to outside !
Kindest regards Philip & family ❤❤❤❤
Hello Allen
Thanks for all your interesting and informative video posts. I'm a believer in a cold mains system flush as part of CH maintenance.For my home system, I've run the ends of the 15 mm flow and return rad in our utility room through the wall, via
a pair of isolation valves, then fitted them with red(flow) and blue(return) washing machine taps with male thread. Connect a pair of washing machine hoses, one to the outside tap and one to drain, and there you have a permanent, external flushing system . I drain off via an angled white bowl to catch and check the sediment, before the overflow spills down the drain. When not in use, a pair of screw on caps keep the outside taps protected. It's also great for draining down after a chemical cleanse. I like to isolate the boiler and run clean water through the rads one at a time, starting with the furthest away and finishing with the nearest. I do have a Spirotech on the return by the boiler, but I find the outside connections so convenient. My combi is an old ( 16th year) Halstead 82, so I think your emphasis on the importance of mains flushing, for system cleanliness, is right on the money for good boiler lifespan. Keep up the good work.
Thank You
Make a video
Love the instructional videos Allen, always concise, accurate and informative and well delivered....keep em coming.
Thanks, will do!
Good video Allen, I agree powerflush is not always needed. Ive has customers saying/thinking power-flushing will unblock pipes and radiators.
Always customers resort to power flushing once the system is to badly blocked. I spend time unblocking pipes and radiators etc... what goats me the most is they don’t wanna pay the going rate lol
👍👍👍
Hi Tommy , should power flushing be completed on a regular basis ? I.e every so many years.
@@leefenton9477 not really! Suppose if you do it correctly once an maintain and look after the heating system it should be fine. I suggest once a new boiler is installed either a power flush or mains flush with chemicals
@@tommyblackman7119 Thank you. We currently have just a heat only boiler that although is 10 plus years old the heating engineer confirmed it’s a good boiler and parts if needed are regularly available. But we have some rads that feel like warm at the bottom. We had a extension with two rads fitted and that plumber spoke of some build up in some of the copper pipe in the loft. No inhibitor in system and water is black in colour. Most of the system is plastic pics
Very informative as always
Thank you.
Allen, even though I don't feel confident enough to do things myself I now understand roughly enough to know if a plumber is trying to 'up-sell' me as it were.. 👍
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Good honest opinion!
Thank You
Thank you Allen for the good content once again top work buddy . MOT
👍👍👍
Thank you Allen for the good content 👍
Thank you so much for the kind words.
Helpful information about mains flush.
So nice of you. Thanks.
Allen maybe I misunderstood but a little contradictory.
Watched the flushing video first and I'm fairly sure that you said to isolate the boiler from system prior to flushing to protect it!
Is that correct or to do it the way mentioned here.
Excuse me if I misunderstood
Thank you sir for the explanations, I had a plumber visit recently and charged me for a power flush but he never connected anything to the system or drained anything, just chucked some chemicals in it and then buggered off ending up with me having to buy a new boiler
VERY INFORMAATIVE. THANK YOIU.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you Alan big heart for your video's.
Thank You
Really informative video Allen. Theres so much confusion about what a power/powder/chemical etc flush is and you cleared them all up nicely, thank you. One question, when you add inhibitor can you mix makes? eg if you service a boiler and top up the inhibitor do you need to know what's in there already or can you add fernox to a sentinel product?
They say that you shouldn’t really mix them, Not really sure why. You would normally know if it’s a newish boiler. Thanks.
@@AllenHart999 sometimes different chemicals (ie different brand cleaners) when mixed together react together in a bad way, and not really in a good way. A bit like how you should always check with your doctor before taking a new medication to see if it has any contraindications (life threatening effects), as the new medication may have different side effects and if already taking other medications those side effects may multiply or worsen, or something new could be born)…
It’s not like adding eg, a tea spoon of sugar from one brand with a tea spoon of sugar from another brand into your brew (tea / coffee), and no harm will be done.
Thank you this is very helpful
Sentinel X-900 is only used with a filter - best have a solids filter and a magnetic filter all in one. Quality filters tend to be like this. X-900 loosens the light sludge in the system, putting it in suspension, with the filter catching it. Without a filter it is useless.
The system must have a mains flush before dosing with X-900, to get as much solids out as possible. If there is no evidence of a heavily sludged up system X-900 can do it. Run the system up to temp after commissioning, as you should, then empty the filter, it should have grabbed some sludge. But the filter must be cleaned every service - as they should anyhow. X-900 can be mixed with X-100 inhibitor without any problems. In short, it cleans as the system is being used. If say there is a boiler change, then a mains flush as usual, then insert X-900 and X-100, clean filter before leaving. Saves using the likes of X-800 which needs the system running hot for a day or so, and then a full flush after.
You know a heavily sludged up system by feeling if there are any cool spots in radiators. A mains flush may remove sludge in rads by opening a radiator one at a time then flushing through as Allen described. In a heavily sludged up systems a powerflush is needed.
If no cool spots in rads and the water looks clean enough, then I would suggest using X-900 and a quality filter. Used it many times. It works. Last week went to a job fitted 18 months ago, as they forget how to use the timer - I was passing. I cleaned the filter while I was there, this would be the third clean, 1st on commissioning with 2nd at the 1st service. Pretty well clean as the 1st and 2nd cleans got it. Made by a renowned large chemical company, Sentinel.
Get it all out and add inhibitors. 👍
@@AllenHart999
X-900 can freely mix with X-100 inhibitor without problems. Both can be in the system.
That was a really helpful video, thankyou liked and subbed!
Excellent video Allen, that first clip you showed with the grey bucket the water was black as hell !😞
👍😂
Maybe you could advise on how to get air lock out on pipes especially system with a combination boiler thanks I had a problem that upstairs rads were hot downstairs nothing at all accept one rad
Hi I had a powerflush done to my system a couple of months and since then my boiler is using twice as much gas. Any idea why?
Excellent and informative video. Thank you.
Can I ask, is it the same principle for an underfloor heating system? I have one of my own and want to do a chemical flush with a hired power flush from HSS.
My system isn't too bad, the water is slightly lighter in colour than irn bru (😂), but I have two friends on my street that have a lot of sludge build up.
We're all engineers and look after/fix our own systems well but none of us have done a flush before.
Good video👍👍
Hi Allen, what are your thoughts on Ofgem's announcement that they intend to quote " rip out" all gas central heating systems from British homes in the next few years, in favour of electric heating systems to meet the Government's zero emission guidelines?
Were will they get the electric to power our homes? The network couldn’t cope. Cannot see it happening for a while tbh.
@@AllenHart999 they are already proposing that no new builds will have gas systems installed by 2025, which isn't that far away. As for replacing those already installed in British homes with electric systems, they intend to cope with the demand for electricity by a four fold increase in Wind farms, and developing new gas systems run on Hydrogen where the only emissions are water 🤔🤔🤔🤔
@@pdv6815 New builds do not have the heat loss of older houses though.
@@AllenHart999 fair comment, about New builds, although I was just illustrating the point that things are already changing faster than we like them to. I can see you're a man of few words, and have nothing more to say on the matter, either that, or it's just dawned on you that if they do outlaw gas boilers, you'll never again be able to say, " Today, I'm fitting a Viessman Won Won Won..." 😂😂😂 All the best, mate
PDV 68 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂I am installing one next week.
Great video thank you. Very informative! 👍
If a poweflush is just done would the pipes still be magnetic
Cheers mates helped a lot👍🏼
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Thanks Allan alway professional advice thanks keep it up
Got boiler banging rads not fully hot does it need flushing which is best
I've a worcester bosch junior 28i, when I get round to flushing I plan to isolate the boiler and flush it first, then add chemicals, leave for a week, empty it and mains flush again, before refilling and adding inhibitor. I want to add a filter onto the return just under the filling loop. Dont want to cause a air lock in the heat cell, hence why I think it's a good idea to isolate the boiler and keep some water in it :-) what you think Allan?
This might help. czcams.com/video/-c2ZZAyfBiI/video.html
Very great video 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Thank you.
I try to add x800 to my very old system once a year and let it circulate for 4/5 days .I then drain down the whole system, remove and power wash each individual radiator . I then fill/circulate and drain the system several times before adding an inhibitor. Is this a good alternative to paying for a powerflush.?
Fantastic top video .
Thank You.
Many thanks. Top man. What price would I expect to pay for a power flush? Btw I'm in London 9 radiators with black sludge
I wonder if you pump in reverse direction you damage the heater pump or the thermostatic radiator valves
Hi you said about a special tool for vibrating the radiators. Wonder if an orbital sander with no sandpaper would work? Excellent videos thanks.
i doubt it would be of much use but i'd love to hear how it goes for you. could try a chunk of rubber on the end of your sds drill or better yet a needle scaler
I had the same thought but I think you might mean a vibration sander, usually rectangular plate, instead of a circular, orbital type. Good idea
Hello mate. Good video. I have a combi system with magna clean and want to do a mains flush. After emptying the system in order to flush, do I just turn the refill loop on and let the water run through the system? My draining point is outside and not on any radiator
I'm abit confused as you mentioned some isolation valves. Thanks
Wish I'd seen this before
Had engineers to baxi duo tec
Boiler was kettling had new heat exchanger new valve they then changed expansion vessel still same
Asked about power flush but they said it would block elsewhere so advised new boiler!
Due to being rental and time of year no other engineers willing to call out I reluctantly put new boiler in
Have I been had?
Hi Jef, I couldn’t possibly say without seeing the job. Thanks
Hi, I’ve been doing a power flush on a central heating system, 10mm microbore , used sentinel x800 in the machine, I’ve tried a foot pump, to try and shift the sludge, what next it just not clearing?
Might need to be re piped. ??? Thanks.
@@AllenHart999 I was thinking that, thanks 😊👍🏻
Just a question Al I have the baxi platinum. Just bled my radiators all pressure is good but the water that is in the central heating system is a bit dirty any advice on that how long would you bleed them for ?
Thank you, very helpful.
Good tips
Interesting video, thanks
Thank you,
Cheers for your vids.
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if we r doing power flush and hoses are connected to rad flow and return , will it not affect the pump of the boiler itself ? how do we go about that ?
You could flush with pump in place. I normally try and pump from flow and return. Thanks
Hi Allen,
Thank you so much. brilliant as always. please may I know if power flushing more complecated if its an unvented system or is it the same?
Thank you.
Just the same really. Thanks.
It's much easier
Is it best to isolate the boiler, if the filling loop is underneath. Open a drain off and one rad at a time, then flush it out without putting dirty water through the boiler?
czcams.com/video/-c2ZZAyfBiI/video.html
good advice sir..
Thanks.
Do you powerflush through the boiler or isolate it from the flush?
Do you mains flush each radiator one at a time or just the full system all at once?
Excellent video.
it was pretty clear from the video i thought, but you do the rads one or two at once and isolate the boiler so you aren't pushing shite through a heat exchanger
@@cliveramsbotty6077 Yes during a powerflush you do one or two at a time. I was talking about a mains flush.
Also what happens to the "shite" thats already inside the boiler and its heat exchanger when you open the valves again. Its only going to go back through the heating system.
Hows the flushing methods differ if you have a conventional boiler?
Thank You
Please just tell me one thing: Why can‘t I just:
1. shut off my line from the boiler towards the radiators,
2. shut off the return line towards the boiler,
3. connect the line towards the radiators to my main water supply line,
4. connect the return line to the drain,
5. turn on all radiators,
6. turn on the main water supply valve towards the radiators,
7. flush the system, first all radiators, then one after another, then all together,
8. quick flush the boiler and that‘s it....
Maybe 9. do a quick chemical loop and flush the whole system again...
Why not!?!?!?
As long as its clean afterwards you can do whatever you like. Thanks.
I seen a drain off you used once with a new style of cap which was plastic instead off brass any help to find it from anyone ?
Would a power flush or any type of flush be useful on an under floor heating system with plasticoat pipes?
Thanks for great videos...
Yes, absolutely
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Subscribed!
@@rayleeson6135 Thank You
@@rayleeson6135 Thank You
Are you not basically doing a mains flush at the end of the powerflush when you fill dump 10-15 times?
I always do a mains flush at the end of every install. Thanks.
Fair play just want to make sure I’m doing a decent job. 👍
That feraquest was good stuff .
We used to use deposit remover years ago, That was amazing stuff as well.
Ive found the magnacleanse far more effective than my powerflush machine over the years
Only gets magnetite out and doesn't really flush the system at all. 👍
@@AllenHart999 yes then mains flush it to get rid of anything else , ive had less problems with the magnacleanse than the power flush it
Great videos, I'm inspired to give it a go. Could this be the first ever funeral director deciding to power flush his own central heating system!? What could go wrong?!
What happened to the powder flush?
czcams.com/video/YoxiAtKEuyc/video.html
I've got a question for Professor Hart... Got a Viessman Vitodens 100 that keeps going over pressure +3 bar discharging out the PRV. Completely disconnected the filling loop at it's still going up. Think it could be a split in the plate heat exchanger or a crack somewhere in the hydraulic block causing mains pressure ingress from the hot water into the heating circuit...? What do you reckon? Cheers. ps me name's Clive
Depends, Could be pressure too high to start with and when heating is on it goes up. It could be plate is leaking into heating, Could need new expansion vessel, Expansion vessel could be undersized, Could be lots of things. I would need to be in front of boiler to check it. Thanks.
clive ramsbotty , With the system empty make sure your expansion vessel is pumped up to 1 bar if the problems persist you probably have a leaking plate heat exchanger are but I have not come across this before on a viessmann boiler as they seem to be top quality
@@AllenHart999 Thanks. I should have said before that it happens even with the system cold so expansion isn't a factor. The boiler is being replaced, I was just curious to hear if it's a known problem with the Viessman. Thanks again
@@SalimKhan-gk1fh Definitely the plate? no chance it could be somewhere else around the plastic components of the hydraulic block? Thanks
clive ramsbotty , it depends on how clean the system is Clive, I’ve seen a viessmann with similar problems due to large amounts of sludge buildup, is yours clean?
Remember al modern flux is soluble, and would be flushed out on a new install , with the first run and drain,..😉
I feel its a good idea to get as much out as possible. Thanks.
Thanks for all your time, videos and advice.
Take care.
Stay safe.
Ash from 🏴
Power flush is always the best if you do it correctly with magnet
👍👍👍Not all customers want to pay for a full powerflush though.
Allen Hart unfortunately not
The dislike on his own today Allen 😂😂
Ha Ha, Subs to get update and dislikes straight away. Bless them. 😂👍😂
I don't actually Central heating it fuck s my health up,👽😜
Why? Thanks.
Dump gas go heat pumps Reason Over charging for maint of gas systems.
They have shot them selves with greed
You talk in stages missing stuff out