Is there a standard job specification for carrying out a Powerflush?

[b3taman]

Hi Tony - it was a Vaillant eco-something - can't remember what. Surely every boiler will have some sort of cleanable gauze filter fitted? - if not, then why not?
I have arranged for a Powerflush from the one engineer who provided a detailed breakdown of what work he would do, he wrote as follows:

For power flushing the system I will carry out x2 separate flushes.
For the first flush I will concentrate solely on the heat exchanger of the boiler I will add a solution of Fernox x800 in to the flushing procedure to help break down any stubborn deposits from within the heat exchanger.
Then after this I will concentrate on the radiator circuit again using a solution of Fernox x800 I will power flush each radiator individually until the filters of the magna clean on my power flush machine run clear.
This will be performed on every radiator on the system until the amount of deposits attached to the filter run at a minimum or best case completely.
On completion the system will be dosed with Fernox x100 inhibitor.
This will inhibit future electrolytic action from within the system, which in turn should maintain a minimal level of corrosive activity from within the system.

Thanks, any further comments welcome!

 

[Ihavenojob]

There's been reports on here of X800 causing pump failures in Vaillant boilers.

 

[FiremanT]

If you want a good description of how its supposed to be done, look at the Kamco web site (http://www.kamco.co.uk/GuidanceNotes/PDF/CF30Instructions.pdf).

The job takes all day because it often takes an hour to get set up, at least an hour to flush the whole system with all radiators, then as muggles said 10 to 15 minutes per radiator - and it can often take more if they need to be "agitated", then flushing to drain, re-flushing the radiators and system, testing the water and packing away. This does not include time mopping up when you forget to shut off the cold water fill valve!

How do some firms fit a boiler & Powerflush in half a day?

 

[DP]

OP, what makes you think power flush is required not system balance

 

[b3taman]

OP, what makes you think power flush is required not system balance

Because two CH firms have already visited the property and tried to solve the problem just by rebalancing the system - and failed

 

[simond]

If the Magnaclean has not picked up a significant amount of dirt since the new boiler being installed, you should be looking somewhere else for the problem.

Around the current or adapted/sealed old cold feed/open vent connections, for instance, if relevant. They could be virtually blocked with scale deposits, and if they are, not only will the Powerflush be unsuccessful in shifting them, but it will (ironically) limit the flow through the very radiators you are hoping to clean.

The Vaillant's Giannoni heat exchanger doesn't really Powerflush, there's a number of parallel routes though it which make it difficult to clean, some would say impossible.

 

[someonelse]

When I had a powerflush done, the guy not only did each rad individually, but reversed the pump on each rad too.

Don't most new boilers require a powerflush done at time of installation to validate the warranty?

 

[FiremanT]

No. It is required that the system be clean,but not that is PF'd

 

[someonelse]

No. It is required that the system be clean,but not that is PF'd

Hmmmmm..

and if the boiler fails and you claim on the warranty, how do you 'prove' the system was clean if the manufacturer declines to fix on the grounds it was dirty......?

 

[FiremanT]

No. It is required that the system be clean,but not that is PF'd

Hmmmmm..

and if the boiler fails and you claim on the warranty, how do you 'prove' the system was clean if the manufacturer declines to fix on the grounds it was dirty......?

It would matter not a jot if it was PF'd or otherwise. If the system is dirty then they may refuse cover. It is not a question of whether the system "was" clean but "is" clean.