The Italian Plumber

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Can a central heating system flush save you money and prevent future problems?

The frost has lifted, winter is over, and the first signs of spring are now finally in the air. It’s not only a beautiful time of year, but it also provides an ideal opportunity to ensure that you don’t experience any heating problems next winter.

Much of the boiler work that we carry out could so often have been avoided if the customer had just spent a little more time focusing on preventative measures. A perfect example of this is a heating system flush.

What is a heating system flush, and why would I need it?

Over time, sludge, metals, calcium, and especially rust can build up in your boiler, pipes, and radiators – essentially depleting the performance of your whole central heating system. This reduces the efficiency of generating heat and hot water, and can lead to higher energy bills and large system breakdown repair costs.

A central heating system flush is a high-velocity blast of water that is pumped directly into the system with cleaning chemicals to break down and dislodge all this nasty muck and debris. This is collected and disposed of by a large filtration system. Finally, a substance called a “protector inhibitor” is added to neutralise the water and prevent this from happening in the future.

The procedure will lengthen the lifespan of your boiler, speed up your heating, and improve overall efficiency; therefore, saving you time, money, and hassle in the future.

Why don’t they need it in other European countries?

It’s a misconception that water rusts metal. In fact, it’s not the water that causes corrosion, it’s the oxygen, chemicals, calcium, and other nasties that are in it.

That’s why, in many European countries, they fill their central heating systems with distilled water. This is water that is completely free from any pollutants and, therefore, can’t cause many of the problems that boilers experience here in the UK.

How would I know if I need a central heating system flush?

There are a few tell-tale signs that could indicate a central heating system flush is necessary. However, the only real way of knowing is to get it checked. A water test is inexpensive (we charge just £45+VAT), and you’ll receive a formal report detailing what’s in the water (if anything) and the next recommended steps. It could be that you’re all good.

Here are some reasons to consider booking a test:

• Your radiators are cold at the top (this could mean that you simply need a bleed), or they keep filling up with air and you need to bleed them every few months
• You’ve noticed that your system’s circulation is not as powerful as it once was
• A valve replacement revealed dark sludge in the water

How long will it last, and how often should I get it checked?

It’s recommended that a central heating flush is performed on your heating system every 5 years.

But like we say, it really comes down to knowing whether it requires doing in the first place. Testing the water will give you your answer.

In terms of how long it should last, a good 8 – 10 years. So, it’s well worth doing.

As we always say, prevention is better than cure.

Don’t fall victim to large boiler repair costs next winter. A simple water test could be all it takes to give you the peace of mind for the colder months ahead. We say “get it checked”

Samuele The Italian Plumber

Other blog posts by Samuele can be read at theitalianplumber.co.uk/blog.

Until next time, if you have any plumbing or heating issues around the home, give us a call on 020 8945 7457.

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March 24, 2023