Heating problem - advice needed re; power flushing

angel103

Our gas central heating went off, one radiator at a time starting before Christmas. Our boiler is 14 years old so we are happy tp replace it, though it does actually work we're not using it as the heat isn't circulating anywhere due to a blockage in our pipes (according to plumber number 2). Plumber number 1 says we need a new boiler and either a power flush or a complete new system - he says a power flush has a 60% chance of success. Plumber number 2 says power flushing doesn't work and recommends a new system. We don't want to spend more money than necessary nor have all the upheaval of installing everything new, but don't want to go for a powerflush then find we have to spend even more money on a new system, thereby spending more than just opting for a new system in the first place. Get my drift? I wondered what other people think or can recommend or tell me about power flushing. Any advice please? I am so confused (not to mention cold!)

jackieglasgow

I am not the a Gas Safe person, but work for a company who repair and maintain c/h systems. If your system is only 14 years old, then AFAIK a new boiler with a powerflush on the existing system would be your best bet. You shouldn't need to replace the full system, but now thatI have bumped your thread, someone who is more technically knowledgeable than me will probably come along and give you fully detailed advice.

Cardew

Fitting a new boiler will probably mean power flushing anyway, even if that is not the primary reason for your problem.

You could try removing an offending radiator(s) and taking it outside and running a hose through it to see how much sludge has built up.

Some people have reported success by doing their own radiators this way - obviously not as good as a power flush.

I certainly wouldn't replace a 14 year old boiler.

bambibashercol

More info needed. What type of system? what make of boiler? Is the pipework microbore?

plumberian

Hello, as mentioned above to give a good answer we would first need to know whether you have microbore pipework.

A good rule of thumb is to se whether the pipework that goes to the radiators in the upstairs rooms comes out of the wall or from the floor. If from the wall it's probably microbore.

Alternatively, take a ruler and measure the diameter across the pipe. If it's less than 15mm (1/2" in old money) then it;s microbore.

The next step is to see if it's 10mm or 8mm. If 8mm you could be in trouble and need some new pipework.

We have great success with 10mm but less so with 8mm.

For more information about powerflushing general take a look at either pritchard-heating.co.uk and powerflushuk.com

Hope this helps

Best wishes, Ian Pritchard