Central heating cover

markstev27

Is there a central heating cover with sludge removal written into it

British gas have said one of our radshas sludge but have refused to repair it even though we have full central heating cover?

Cardew

Search on this forum for the many threads on 'Power-flushing'. BG in particular seem to use that as their 'get out of jail' card for escaping their obligations under the Servicing contract.

They charge several hundred pounds - way more than private plumbers.

SailorSam

When i changed the boiler on my Central Heating, about 5yrs ago now, the place i went to was giving 5yr guarantees, they give 7yrs now. And when i sat down and worked out what i was paying for insurance cover,and what i would pay over the following 5yrs. I was better off getting a new Boiler with free cover.
Check out if you would be the same.

reeac

Just like any insurance, you're better off in the long run to pay the bills when they crop up. Insurance companies are in the business to make money, not to subsidise their customers. I've tried to explain this to lots of people but very few can understand. Insure only if it's a legal requirement as with cars or if total loss would be bankrupting as with house insurance.

Pincher

When they do the power flush, independent or BG, the system will be drained, which is the perfect time to put in a return filter.


https://www.plumbnation.co.uk/search.php?search=filter


Make sure it's easy to clear the filter, which will need to be done at least once a year.

reeac

Pincher wrote: »

When they do the power flush, independent or BG, the system will be drained, which is the perfect time to put in a return filter.


https://www.plumbnation.co.uk/search.php?search=filter


Make sure it's easy to clear the filter, which will need to be done at least once a year.

I like the idea of a filter but my current system has been running for about 18 years with no filter and never a power flush. Is this unusual

Cardew

reeac wrote: »

I like the idea of a filter but my current system has been running for about 18 years with no filter and never a power flush. Is this unusual

Mine was the same for over 27 years.

Pincher

I first heard about inhibitors 25 years ago, when the Potterton Kingfisher II boiler was put in. Ever since, I make 100% sure the plumber puts in Sentinel or Fernox inhibitors every time we drain the system. My old plumber had an interesting habit of leaving the evidence, i.e. the 1 litre inhibitors container next to the tank, to prove that he did it.


All this activity means that when we did the power flush, when putting in the replacement Potterton Promax, there wasn't that much to flush out.


There is thousands of miles of difference between a well serviced car and an old banger that hasn't seen a fresh can of engine oil for years.

Cardew

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/interiors/jeffhowell/7760467/Home-improvements-heating-system-powerflush.html

Pincher

I seriously doubt that somebody hasn't drained a system in 27 years. You are claiming you look 35 after a facelift, there.


It's easy to check, just drain some water and see how gunky it is.


If you know how to, you can drain the system yourself.
If the pump still works, pour a bottle of this in:


https://www.plumbnation.co.uk/site/fernox-f3-cleaner---500ml/


Ideally, you should have a filter to extract all the gunk the cleaner loosens up. You do need to get the cleaner out, and rinse, and refill with inhibitor (Fernox F1).


Call BG back, and see if they still have the cheek to say it needs a powerflush, faced with really clean water.

teddysmum

Pincher wrote: »

I seriously doubt that somebody hasn't drained a system in 27 years. You are claiming you look 35 after a facelift, there.

Then you will have to doubt me, too.


Our heating system was fitted in 1978, when my tiny baby was born in winter and the only work done on it was a repair to the ignition, then a temporary fix to the same (requiring tapping a pipe) which we were told would last until we chose a new boiler, but ended up lasting over two years, but then the pump failed.


The system was replaced in 2014 and now has a filter.