Powerflush of combi boiler and Homeserve

bambibashercol

Well People can draw there own conclusions about the power flushing association, They only have less than 30 members, I looked in case there where any rgi fitters i knew so i could ask them what were they thinking next time I'm picking a boiler up at the merchants.
There claims are just laughable, I think the asa should look at there website and get them to prove there claims.

Cardew

Can we look at this from the viewpoint of Mr Layman.

My heating ain’t working properly! Do I:

Option 1. Assume that the fault is clogged radiators and contact THE Association for the name of the power flushing expert and get him to power flush.

Option 2. Contact a plumber/RGI.

Let us assume that taking option 2 is the most likely action taken by most people. Let us further assume that this plumber/RGI considers that the system does indeed need power flushing. Should I:

1. Refuse to let him touch my system unless he is a member of the PFA.

2. If he is a member of the PFA ask him what membership of that association means to myself(Mr Layman) Does it:

a. Control the price he charges?

b. Guarantee his standard of work? i.e. does the Association monitor/inspect his procedures

c. Give me an avenue for redress is the work is not satisfactory

Unless the answer to those 3 points is in the affirmative - what advantage is there for the customer in having a member of the PFA?


P.S.
Before answering - we have read their website!!!!

babasu

thanks all for comments relevant to this - obviously started a bit of a row about other things though!

Haven't checked this site for a while and am still having boiler traumas owing to lack of cash to pay for powerflush (have been saving though so hopefully in next couple of weeks - unless I get different recommendation from anyone here).

The boiler is a glow-worm 24ci make - about 8 years old - and the original fault code was F9, which apparently relates to the heating exchange valve. It also occasionally shows an F1 fault code (ignition) as well. Not sure if that's helpful at all. I think I'll have to bite the bullet and fork out for the PF.

Cheers all

peter.hardly

Cardew wrote: »

As written earlier:





Read the PFA website about the qualifications for joining - no check of competance, no monitoring of work, no setting of prices for jobs - completely meaningless!

Apologies for my late entry to this debate. I couldn't agree more about the Powerflush Association. It has no credibility in the industry and seems to exist for the sole purpose of making money for the owner, with a bit of general power flushing information thrown in for good measure (some of which is wildly inaccurate).

Don't you think it's odd that none of the major manufacturers of power flushing pumps (fernox, kamco, sentinel, norstrom, anton etc) are members of the association? What does this say about it? Surely if there was a credible power flushing association then these companies would all want to be involved?

And I've seen that the PFA is selling 6 and 12 month memberships on Ebay! Check out the seller's feedback to see what else he's been selling. It says it all, it really does.

The PFA is a meaningless sham and takes credibility away from power flushing engineers who are genuinely trying to provide a much needed and effective service. Don't bother joining the PFA. Save your money and spend it on promoting your own business.

ginamccarthy

keystone wrote: »

Of course it is. Tell me please (and at least one other poster) how applying a powerflush machine to your system can possibly be interpreted as interfering with a gas appliance.

Do you have a vested interest which you are not declaring?

The law requires any person doing gas work to be competant. End of. It says nothing about registration. You are entitled to your opinion but you are scaremongering suggesting that you HAVE to be an RGI to carry out a powerflush next you'll be telling joe on the street he can't change a rad valve himself in his own house.

Slightly silly analogy but I take your point.

Cheers

for the sake of keystone, actually my neighbours were poisoned by carbon monoxide due to them not fitting their cooker by a gas safe registered engineer. It is against the law and unsafe. Let me repeat, it is illegal!. A powerflush does not have to be carried out by a gas safe registered engineer, however, sometimes during a powerflush, the engineer may have to mess with gas appliances for example if they are isolating the boiler in the powerflush. There is a whole week in spetember dedicated to gas safety and the importance of using a gas safe registered engineer. Try not to be so ignorant please...thanks!

southcoastrgi

ginamccarthy wrote: »

for the sake of keystone, actually my neighbours were poisoned by carbon monoxide due to them not fitting their cooker by a gas safe registered engineer. It is against the law and unsafe. Let me repeat, it is illegal!. A powerflush does not have to be carried out by a gas safe registered engineer, however, sometimes during a powerflush, the engineer may have to mess with gas appliances for example if they are isolating the boiler in the powerflush. There is a whole week in spetember dedicated to gas safety and the importance of using a gas safe registered engineer. Try not to be so ignorant please...thanks!

I'm sorry but KS isn't being ignorant he is quite correct, powerflushing is completely different to incorrectly fitting a cooker, you do not have to be a RGI to isolate the water side of a boiler.

It is not illegal to connect or fit a gas appliance in your own home (although it should be) you just have to be compentant (whatever that means if you aren't a RGI), I don't agree with it & people should always use a RGI but it's not illegal

heating-eng

ginamccarthy wrote: »

for the sake of keystone, actually my neighbours were poisoned by carbon monoxide due to them not fitting their cooker by a gas safe registered engineer. It is against the law and unsafe. Let me repeat, it is illegal!. A powerflush does not have to be carried out by a gas safe registered engineer, however, sometimes during a powerflush, the engineer may have to mess with gas appliances for example if they are isolating the boiler in the powerflush. There is a whole week in spetember dedicated to gas safety and the importance of using a gas safe registered engineer. Try not to be so ignorant please...thanks!

You do not need to be a Gas Engineer to flush a system, but I would say it does help, on combi systems if flushing from pump etc you do need to take the case off,
If you take the case off a boiler and disturb the seal then you need to be a gas engineer,
it is better to flush a combi from the boiler.

southcoastrgi

heating-eng wrote: »

If you take the case off a boiler and disturb the seal then you need to be a gas engineer

again I'm sorry but that is not correct, you just need to be compentant, you only need to be a RGI if you are doing work in someone elses house or are being paid for it, like i said i don't agree with it but i also don't agree with bending the truth or telling lies.