First powerflush

[plumb_know]

Hi everyone,

i have a customer with with a large property who has asked for a powerflush, I have new Kamco power flush machine with all the gizmo. But never done a powerflush and was expecting my first powerflush to be on smaller scale. I am attending the Kamco training course on the 15th this month but customer wants quote in next day or 2.

House is 35 rads + unvented cylinder and they have ground source heat pump, i have no experience of heat pumps and was wondering if this would affect the way I should do the power flush? Also any tips and advice would be much appreciated.

Appreciate the guidance

 

[thereisawizza]

Something this big I would be tempted to farm it out to powerflush company, I think you get £50 referral from them

 

[Last Plumber]

I would start with something smaller just to get your confidence up a bit to be honest.

It can be a bit daunting the first time.

Best to spend a good day doing a 6-10 rad house and take your time.

 

[Stanios]

Give the heat pump manufacturer a ring and find out about any requirements you they might have in terms of flushing. The rest is pretty straight forward quoting is probably the hardest bit, I would quote for two days work if sealed, 3 days if gravity due to the scale of the job, get a book or something to read too. Easy money, dont see why you should be handing it over to anyone else.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Plus one to the above just do one rad at a time and just keep plugging at it

 

[quality]

Ill bet the system doesn't need powerflushing but the heat exchanger in the heat pumps needs replacing. Had this loads of times. Who decided it needs a powerflush

 

[jtsplumbing]

House this size requires 2 X Men, a lot of running around for one man, number of rads = 3 average houses so allow at least 3 days, have you give them a price to do the flush ? just the chemicals is going to cost quite a bit ! and get them to check if there house insurance will cover the cost of replacing any radiators or valves, and make sure you point out the risk of leaks showing up during and after the flush, surprising what will start to leak once you start removing rubbish from system, be extra carful if in a hard water area.

 

[turnpin]

Best check you public liability insurance is up to date .....best of luck regards Turnpin:smile5:

 

[PETE 123]

Get a disclaimer form signed first as well

 

[plumb_know]

Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated will take all on board and advise customer of leaks and get disclaimer signed.

 

[Jharris]

Be aware you'll need re dose system with antifreeze, for a system this big that will add hundreds of pounds to the cost in chemicals alone and make filling up a much longer job

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Be aware you'll need re dose system with antifreeze, for a system this big that will add hundreds of pounds to the cost in chemicals alone and make filling up a much longer job

May I ask where your from ?

 

[Jharris]

May I ask where your from ?

Essex my friend

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Essex my friend

And may I ask why you would put anti freeze in a heating system ??

 

[Jharris]

And may I ask why you would put anti freeze in a heating system ??

Assuming the heat pump is a mono bloc and not a split unit, the heating flow and return will have to run outside, 25% glyco is what we put in down here

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Assuming the heat pump is a mono bloc and not a split unit, the heating flow and return will have to run outside, 25% glyco is what we put in down here

No experience with heat pumps won't there be a heat exchanger inside so you won't need to add anti freeze ?

 

[Jharris]

No experience with heat pumps won't there be a heat exchanger inside so you won't need to add anti freeze ?

It depends mate mono bloc type heat pumps have the heat exchanger inside the actual unit, while split units bring the heat exchanger inside, mono bloc are easier to install as you dont have to touch any of the f-gas but have more drawbacks in the long run in my opinion

 

[finchy01]

I would suggest 2 days (full) one rad f a time as there have said. A flush is a flush, doesn't matter how many rads there are as all that really does is add time (and money/profit) to the job. Where are you based? Someone on here may come and give you a hand and give you some tips at the same time (for money of course). My old company used to charge £50 a rad. My current one is £510 for the flush but that's based on one day. Best advice though to repeat, one rad at a time forwards and backward and get a white rubber mallet to gently tap the rads to help clear stubborn sludge if they're not heating after 5 minutes or so.