Do I need a powerflush ?
Discussion
Fingers, toes and everything in between crossed I have hopefully now solved my boiler pressure issues.
When it was first being diagnosed the water in the system was oily black and the plumber said it needed a powerflush. However, as a result of having to refill the system from 0.1bar every day for about a month the water in the system appears to be a cloudy grey. My questions are
1. Now that the water looks clean does it still need a powerflush?
2. Assuming it does, I assume it makes sense to put inhibitor in AFTER the system's been flushed and not before?
3. Finally, does the fact that Ive been filling the system with fresh water daily for a month mean that I have possibly caused problems somewhere?
Thanks as always
When it was first being diagnosed the water in the system was oily black and the plumber said it needed a powerflush. However, as a result of having to refill the system from 0.1bar every day for about a month the water in the system appears to be a cloudy grey. My questions are
1. Now that the water looks clean does it still need a powerflush?
2. Assuming it does, I assume it makes sense to put inhibitor in AFTER the system's been flushed and not before?
3. Finally, does the fact that Ive been filling the system with fresh water daily for a month mean that I have possibly caused problems somewhere?
Thanks as always
The water should be clear.
You could try a chemical flush and rinse. Sentinel stuff is a go-to.
Just properly draining and refilling may do the job.
You should have a magnetic filter to protect the boiler?
If all the rads warm up OK and the water stays (reasonably) clear, I would not pay for a power flush.
Powerflushing saves a lot of time draining and filling and bleeding rinsing and repeating...
But it's still hours you're paying a tradesman.
OTOH, it may save o ua boiler and avoid voiding the warranty.
When you've finished messing with it, you need some inhibitor added. Sentinel again perhaps?
You could try a chemical flush and rinse. Sentinel stuff is a go-to.
Just properly draining and refilling may do the job.
You should have a magnetic filter to protect the boiler?
If all the rads warm up OK and the water stays (reasonably) clear, I would not pay for a power flush.
Powerflushing saves a lot of time draining and filling and bleeding rinsing and repeating...
But it's still hours you're paying a tradesman.
OTOH, it may save o ua boiler and avoid voiding the warranty.
When you've finished messing with it, you need some inhibitor added. Sentinel again perhaps?
OutInTheShed said:
The water should be clear.
You could try a chemical flush and rinse. Sentinel stuff is a go-to.
Just properly draining and refilling may do the job.
You should have a magnetic filter to protect the boiler?
If all the rads warm up OK and the water stays (reasonably) clear, I would not pay for a power flush.
Powerflushing saves a lot of time draining and filling and bleeding rinsing and repeating...
But it's still hours you're paying a tradesman.
OTOH, it may save o ua boiler and avoid voiding the warranty.
When you've finished messing with it, you need some inhibitor added. Sentinel again perhaps?
Thanks - that makes a lot of sense. It was actually the Boiler warranty company that advised (warned) me that I needed a powerflush. I'd say the water is cloudy (milky) rather than perfectly clear. Do you think that's sufficient?You could try a chemical flush and rinse. Sentinel stuff is a go-to.
Just properly draining and refilling may do the job.
You should have a magnetic filter to protect the boiler?
If all the rads warm up OK and the water stays (reasonably) clear, I would not pay for a power flush.
Powerflushing saves a lot of time draining and filling and bleeding rinsing and repeating...
But it's still hours you're paying a tradesman.
OTOH, it may save o ua boiler and avoid voiding the warranty.
When you've finished messing with it, you need some inhibitor added. Sentinel again perhaps?
I have a magnaclean fitted to the Boiler but I'm guessing it needs servicing as, when the boiler first started leaking, the waterw as black and "oily" and the engineer said it was full of iron filings.
Mr Pointy said:
If you have the time & skills over the summer you could take each radiator off & blast them inside with a hose to get rid of any sludge inside. Then run the Sentinel cleaner cycle & finally add inhibitor. A Magnaclean in the circuit is a must as well.
I have the time and the skills but they are outweighed by my sheer laziness 
pghstochaj said:
Countdown said:
So far (touch wood)!!!
Then I wouldn't do anything. You generally powerflush because you have a problem or because you are getting a new boiler and want to start with a clean system. 
However Im just worried that Ovo will refuse any future breakdown callouts if I don't prove Ive had it flushed.Then again I think I have about 20 radiators so it might be cheaper just to get a new boiler if this one breaks down!
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