DIY power flushing or let the pro's do it

[denyason]

i have had an independent plumber check my system,a second opinion- he says i need to power flush as there is sludge. my contracted servicer will not fix my heating till its had a flush. i've had quotes of 500-1000 pounds and seems too much. i could rent a machine for £180 per week. the plumber stated diy isn't great idea as the pipes are plastic, not copper and could burst due to the pressure and i don't know how to close radiators etc...... my system is a potterton gas condensing combi boiler with 23 (mainly small) radiators. the house is 5 yrs old but i recently had an extention.
my main issues using a pro is price, the length of time keeping an eye on the plumber, quoted 10 hours or so.
my heating is currently bust and my servicer refuses to fix it until a power flush has been done. do i go diy or pay the hefty price for a pro?

 

[helpsy]

It will take all day to do your system properly.
If you pay cheap, generally you'll get a cheap substandard job.
The choice is yours!!!

 

[dontknowitall]

Alternatively find another plumber(?) and don't mention flushing!!

In three years I've not come across any system that NEEDS flushing. Some are grubby and I think I could have got away with suggesting a power flush. In truth a PROPER drain down, fill up and another proper drain down and fill up will do a huge amount and won't put fittings at risk of leaks and so on.

This should take around a day for a plumber with hardly any materials needed.

I've not seen your pipes and radiators so I couldn't be certain that my suggestion is the correct one but if money is an issue it might be worth thinking about.

 

[GrahamM]

That's a fairly big system and will be fair bit of work. If it is not done correctly you will be flushing money away. No acquaintances got any plumbing/heating experience that can do you a favour for few quid if you supply the equipment.
Other than that may just need grit your teeth and pay the money. Just make sure they are fully experienced as there are a lot of people out there that can switch the machine on, but that is about the extent of their knowledge.

 

[denyason]

thanks for the professional help. i don't think a diy job is adequate for such a large system. i have had a quote for 500. its got to be done as i have no heating- with winter fast approaching......

 

[HoodedClaw]

Thats a lot of rads, probably why the flushing price is on the higher side.

As its a combi, if your feeling confidant and have the time you could flush them yourself - here is a reasonable guide.

How to flush a heating system with mains water. - DIYnot.com - DIY and Home Improvement

 

[Gray0689]

If your system needs a flush after only 5 years there is a big problem
Somewhere

 

[Toddyplumb]

You say its plastic pipe what size are the pipes to the radiators ?
What make of pipe is it ?

 

[moony]

5 years and needs a powerflush on a sealed system - either wasnt flushed properly when installed 5 yrs ago - or theyre pulling your leg pal.

what proof do the service provider ask for? if outside work done? i would be inclined to put a cleaner in for a week and then drain down, then see what the service provider says.

the service providers try there best to get out of an expensive fix or any fix to be fair. what is the problem with the heating have they told you what it is?

get a proper plumbing company in - not one that just offers powerflushing - as they will know more about the system.

it will take a good day and i would be looking to charge around the same amount for that many rads to do it properly.

but like i said 5 yrs old theres either problems with the set-up or it wasnt flushed properly when they new system went in. did you keep all the rads from the old system or were new ones fitted?

 

[Toddyplumb]

If its Hep2o non barrier it could be blocked solid !