system flush

colin13

got a new boiler fitted through government scheme,but obviously disturbed all the silt in the system,plumber recomends a system flush,what does this entail,and what will it cost,this free boiler is turning into a menace,had it 4 weeks,and not worked a full week yet:mad:

daveyjp

It should definately be done, especially if the old boiler had been in some time. It will cost, but without it your new boiler may not last long and may not work to full efficiency.

My wife's company have just had a new boiler, the old one was about 25 years old and served 18 radiators. The powerflush has taken the best part of a full day, the water coming out of the system was like tar. One radiator has also been replaced as it was too full to be cleared.

penrhyn

Should have been done as part of the installation, did the boiler people add inhibitors to the water? Failure to do so would void any warranty on the new boiler.

Soleil_lune

I am wondering if you have the same energy company as we had? Our energy was and maintenance contract was with a company called - let's say XYZ........

About 5 years ago, in the house we owned at the time, XYZ were trying to bully us into a system flush for a couple of years, but we couldn't afford it, and had actually been advised by a few people that it can make the system worse sometimes. One friend of ours had to have the entire central heating system replaced, after it was wrecked after having a system flush!

Anyway,XYZ basically threatened to not fix our broken heating one cold December day, unless we agreed to a system flush, as he said the 'sludge and crap' in the system had resulted in the heat exchange breaking down. But it was about 10 years old anyway! It was minus 12 C and the engineer said he will only replace the heat exchange if we agree to a system flush and sign all the paperwork now, and agree to pay the full £700 to have it done.

When we said we could not afford it, he told us we could pay it over 12 months. We were already struggling financially, and were being blackmailed into having a system flush by being told they would not get our heating working unless we signed to say we would have a system flush!

My OH went mad and said we will not be intimidated and bullied by XYZ blackmailing us, and that we are going to Trading standards immediately. He soon backed down, and said he will replace the heat exchange this one time only...

I heard from someone who used to work for them that the system flush is the biggest con that XYZ do, and is not always necessary, and sometimes makes the system considerably worse. Google 'system flush scam' and see what comes up!

And guess what? The system flush is not included in the maintenance contract! Of course not - any repair that costs more than thirty quid isn't!

boingsaidzebedee

Check out the installation instruction booklet they should have left with you.
It will probably refer to flushing out the system prior to installation--in accordance with BS 7593.
This is to flush out the system prior to boiler change and the recommended additives.
http://www.buildcert.com/cias.htm

Failure to do so can lead to premature boiler breakdown and as already stated voiding of warranty.
Really need an RGI to answer to get the best advice.

boingsaidzebedee

If you pop over to the "In my home" section on here you will find some RGIs who post and will give you the best advice.

ihateyes

Soleil_lune wrote: »

I am wondering if you have the same energy company as we had? Our energy was and maintenance contract was with a company called - let's say XYZ........

About 5 years ago, in the house we owned at the time, XYZ were trying to bully us into a system flush for a couple of years, but we couldn't afford it, and had actually been advised by a few people that it can make the system worse sometimes. One friend of ours had to have the entire central heating system replaced, after it was wrecked after having a system flush!

Anyway,XYZ basically threatened to not fix our broken heating one cold December day, unless we agreed to a system flush, as he said the 'sludge and crap' in the system had resulted in the heat exchange breaking down. But it was about 10 years old anyway! It was minus 12 C and the engineer said he will only replace the heat exchange if we agree to a system flush and sign all the paperwork now, and agree to pay the full £700 to have it done.

When we said we could not afford it, he told us we could pay it over 12 months. We were already struggling financially, and were being blackmailed into having a system flush by being told they would not get our heating working unless we signed to say we would have a system flush!

My OH went mad and said we will not be intimidated and bullied by XYZ blackmailing us, and that we are going to Trading standards immediately. He soon backed down, and said he will replace the heat exchange this one time only...

I heard from someone who used to work for them that the system flush is the biggest con that XYZ do, and is not always necessary, and sometimes makes the system considerably worse. Google 'system flush scam' and see what comes up!

And guess what? The system flush is not included in the maintenance contract! Of course not - any repair that costs more than thirty quid isn't!

Well well well.... always looking to blame a company and say its tosh.

Most gas men would recommend a power flush when a new boiler gets installed.

Now to clear something up.... British Gas ( thats who i reckon your taking a pop at, and most other energy companies) do no install boilers under the government scheme. Thats mostly done by smaller companies.

What i can say is i know British Gas cover the one year guarantee for boilers installed under the Scottish Executive deal.

Also if you know anything about insurance, insurers do not cover something that happens over a period of time.... system going sludgey happens over a period of time.

You wont find any company out there that covers a power flush.

Maybe if you win the lottery you can form a company looking after boilers, and you can stand out from the rest by covering sludge and scale.

Lets see how long you last in business.

colin13

penrhyn wrote: »

Should have been done as part of the installation, did the boiler people add inhibitors to the water? Failure to do so would void any warranty on the new boiler.

no inhibators added,just to say i live in scotland,and our water not as hard as water in england

penrhyn

Suggest you read the boiler manual, corrosion may not be due to hard water.

Cardew

I don't doubt that there is sometimes a need for a power-flush, particularly when a new boiler is fitted.

Although I had never heard of the term until 10-15 years ago.

However IMO, and from information all over the internet, I have no doubt that this can be a money making scam by many organisations/fitters, and a way of escaping contractual conditions on maintenance contracts.

mttylad

On the other hand, if you do have a flush then it can help improve the long term efficiency of your system.

Not having sludge in the system can only be beneficial, removing it is not just a case of sticking a hose pipe on and squirting water through it - it needs to be done under pressure.

And I'm no plumber and wont benefit from anyone doing it - its just common sense if you know owt about plumbing.