system flush
Do you find your heating system not heating up as it once did? Or maybe the radiators are cold at the bottom and warm at the top? There could be corrosion occurring within the heating system, which slows the circulation of the water in the heating system. Not only will the heating and hot water take a lot longer to heat up, but in the long run, the system will be consuming more gas and energy to get the water up to the satisfactory level required.
Some common symptoms of corrosion occurring within your central heating system are:
Radiators taking a long time to heat up
Cold spots on your radiators
Frequently needing to bleed radiators
Black or Brown water coming from the bleed nipple, or from the radiator when you remove it when decorating
Vibration or banging noises from the pipework
Hot water fluctuating hot and cold when trying to have a lovely shower or bath
Noise from your boiler such as banging, clanging and kettling
Pump whining and making grinding noises
Diverter valve jammed or passing water down the heating circuit in summer when no heating is required
If you are experiencing any 1 or more of these symptoms, our central heating system maybe in need of a 'MagnaCleanse' or a ‘Powerflush’
MagnaCleanse is a very effective method to remove corrosion from the central heating system and restore the flow of water inside the system and get the system back to being efficient and save energy costs.
the procedure
You may ask what is the procedure to carrying out a powerflush. Below we have highlighted the process within a few steps, just so you can get an understanding of what to expect.
Drain down the complete heating system
Cut into the most convenient place in the central heating system
Attach the Magnacleanse Filtration System to where the system has been cut into
Ensure all radiator valves are in the open position to allow the flow of water
An effective cleaning chemical such as Adey MC3 is added to the filter which will assist with the breakdown of the corrosion
Fill the heating system back with water and turn the central heating boiler on and put on demand for heating.
The cleaning chemical will now flow through the complete system for 20-30 minutes.
After this, all radiators will be isolated and the MagnaCleanse will concentrate its powerful chemical and flow into 1 rad at a time for 10-15 minutes, and then move on to the next
After all the radiators have been flushed individually, all radiators are opened up and flushed for a final 20-30 minutes
The water in the system is now drained down to a suitable drainage point
On completion a new MagnaClean or Spirotech Filter is installed, Inhibitor is added to the system. The system is filled with fresh water and the system is entirely bled of air and the system is switched on and the system is balanced and all rads are checked to ensure they are all heating equally and efficiently
Central heating filters
Some central heating systems may not need a Magnacleanse flush. But it is still highly recommended to have a filter installed on the system to prevent future breakdowns that will escalate to expensive repairs.
We will carry out a turbidity test, which basically is a test tube which we fill with the system water. If the marker at the bottom of the tube is partially visible we would highly recommend just the installation of a new MagnaClean Professional 2 filter along with MC1 Inhibitor. However if the test proves that the marker is completely not visible, then we will strongly advise a MagnaCleanse with the installation of the MagnaClean Professional 2 filter along with MC1 Inhibitor.
MagnaClean Professional 2 has been expertly designed to maximize the capture of magnetite. Engineered to actively trap virtually all circulating scale, it never stops delivering the very best protection. Magnetite is the number one contributor to heating breakdowns. Every day corrosion occurs within a heating system. If left untreated, this builds up magnetite causing cold spots on radiators, making heating inefficient and putting unnecessary strain on the boiler.
With products and practices designed to put an end to corrosion and magnetite, these filters and chemicals will reduce energy bills, lower maintenance costs and protect boilers for longer.
Benefits for the Homeowner
Reduced heating bills and maintenance costs
Immediate ongoing central heating system protection
Extends the life of the central heating system
Reduced carbon emissions
Watch the short video to see just how effective and good the MagbnaClean Proffessional 2 Filter is!
Powerflushing Waiver
The core component of a heating system is the boiler. When a boiler is renewed, the boiler manufacturers’ Benchmark scheme requires that the system be thoroughly cleansed to the BS7593:2006 Code of Practice. Currently, best industry practice is considered to be to power flush the system. Power flushing is the fastest and most effective way to flush heating systems, and involves minimal disruption and dismantling.
We use purpose built power flushing pumps, designed to cure the circulation and boiler noise problems caused by accumulations of sludge, corrosion deposits and scale which are found in most ageing central heating systems.
The power flushing pump is temporarily connected into a heating system during the flushing process. The high water velocity, combined with instantaneous flow reversal, dislodges and mobilises sludge and corrosion deposits.
Having loosened the debris, the pump expels it from the system to waste, using a high velocity flow of fresh water.
Radiators are individually flushed without removal or disconnection from the system. After the power flush, the system is full of clean water, and re- instatement to normal operation takes only a few minutes. A power flush can be extremely effective in cleaning systems that have corrosion problems as a result of a design fault, but we strongly recommend that any such design faults be rectified before power flushing commences.
The success of a power flush will depend on the level of heating system corrosion which has occurred beforehand. The process will cure most circulation problems, but cannot undo the corrosion and gradual decay that has led to the need to power flush the system. Whilst it is rare for a heating system to experience leaks after the power flushing process, it is not possible to inspect a system internally beforehand, and the need to use a flushing and dispersing chemical (see Part L of the Building regulations) for effective cleansing means that occasionally we may find a leak.
The advanced stage of corrosion required for such a situation means that the leak would occur imminently even without a power flush. We believe that it is better that it occurs whilst we are present to remedy the problem, rather than for it to arise over a weekend or whilst the house is unoccupied. Systems which have been neglected over a period of time, or have not been treated with an effective corrosion inhibitor, may have severely compacted corrosion debris, in the pipe work, radiators, or boiler, and it is possible that even after the power flush, some radiators may still not be fully effective, or boilers on the margin of failure may cease working due to sludge and debris later breaking loose and collecting in the heat exchanger.
PLEASE NOTE: The vast majority of power flushes that we carry out are without problem, and result in a cleaner and more efficient heating system, with radiators restored to their original output. Central heating system power flushing
The price that we have stated allows for a standard power flush only, and we will carry this out to best industry practice, according to BS7593 : 2006. However, if any of the above or similar unpredictable problems arise during or after the power flush we will not hold ourselves responsible in any way, and any further work required would be carried out at an additional cost.