Power flush from British Gas

kenmum

BG installed the worcester combi boiler in June 2007. The boiler always worked fine, though I have to press reset button occasionally from winter 2012, but I never had any issue with the hot water and heating.

I then rent the house out and bought the BG homecare. The tenants told me there was no hot water and BG engineer visited. They came in morning and then it worked, after 1hr the hot water failed, so they had to come again. They pointed out that some rain water in the past has come into the boiler (How? and When? ) and there is rusting in many areas. They flushed the internal pipe and replaced the "faulty diverter motor" and now it works fine.

However, they said the boiler was blocked with sludge from the radiators and all that has to be cleaned up. They recommended a full service, and power flush, otherwise similar problems will come again.

The tenants are suggesting a full service, though I doubt full service will solve the problem. I really like the tenants and do not want them to think I am irresponsible landlady. However, from BG's website, it is mainly a visual inspection and it excludes removing sludge. So is powerflush necessary? I googled and noticed that BG always recommends powerflush. Or should I wait and see whether the problem comes back?

Thanks for any advice.

Pincher

Did they fit a return filter in 2007? Typically it's a Magnaclean or a Fernox TF1.

Level 1

Learn to clear the filter, then teach the tenants how to do it. Videos on Youtube.

Level 2

If you are feeling handy, learn to drain the system, refill with a cleaner like Fernox F3 or Sentinel X300. Run the system for a few days, checking the filter frequently. Drain the system again, refill with just water and run the system to rinse out the cleaner. Drain again, refill with inhibitor like F1 or X100.

Yes, it is better to do it in summer.

Level 3

Find a team of tradesmen, who are actually competent.

Yes, I know, they are a myth. The last good plumber has retired already, and his apprentice insists on being called an engineer, even though he can barely read the installation handbook.

macman

It's like Del Monte: "The man from BG, he say 'powerflush'". It's their mantra for almost every boiler or CH issue.
If it does need one, an independent will probably be 30 to 50% cheaper.