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British Gas Flushing scam
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View the thread, titled "British Gas Flushing scam" which is posted in Gas Engineers Forum on UK Plumbers Forums.
Be very careful Lads. Telling the truth can get you a bollocking on here! People need to realise it's only slander/libel if it aint true!!
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eco_mark
Um, but that is actually true. And also a requirement of Part L building regs. If a new boiler isn't installed according to benchmark and building regs then warranty is void ...
Does it state the system has to be POWER flushed or just flushed? As long as the system is adequately flushed before a new boiler is fitted this should satisfy the regs.
Lets face it, whether you flush or powerflush a system, if it isn't clean when you fit a new boiler you will end up with a lot of problems. I'm starting to actually use my power flush machine when I change a boiler as I can leave it running with the magnacleanse attached but thats my personal preference and I include it in the price, some guys just do a hot and cold flush which is equally acceptable as long as the system is clean. Its the yeehaws that rip an old boiler out and fit a new shiny one without any flushing at all that's the problem. oh and BG charging £600 for a powerflush is criminal in my book, most I would get away with is £300.
no it is not true, it states that your sytem needs to be flushed, not powerflushed the difference......about £400
Then you, my friend, are either quite happy to install without cleaning a system and are therefore a yeehaw! or are working for a company who are yeehaws!. Like gas if you fit and don't question then you may be held liable for warranty problems in the future ( assuming you are sub contracted) If not then I would question your company's installation techniques. Almost all boiler warranties would be void if the system was not cleaned.
Most of the manufactures state the system must be cleaned before fitting new boiler. Worcester recommend the use of P/Flush and state failure to comply with this may invalidate the warranty.
Failing to clean an old system before fitting new boiler (at the very least putting some cleaner in for few days before flushing out), is very poor practice.
They have been fitting the Magnaboosters for £209 all in for past few months. Don't think that is too bad a price!
BG are being very responsible in their advice here although they will make a good few quid in the process. Most systems you would maybe get away with cleaner and a few runs through but there are a lot of open systems that are so gummed up a P/Flush may be only option. Either way the system must be cleaned.
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PaulMacMac
The reason large insurance companies try to “sell” power flushing all the time is 3 fold:
1) - It is a revenue stream, as most of them exclude power flushing insurance, as standard.
2) - It greatly reduces the amount of callouts per property, because without all the sludge and debris in the system, parts will last longer and systems are more reliable. It means they get less calls and their cost base is reduced.
3) - If the engineers can start from a point where they know the system is clean, they can eliminate sludge and debris of the “possible problems” list. It means less problems to check and less time spent per callout.
If you have been recommended a power flush you can make sure that you really need it by having your central heating water tested, its free and you simply send off a sample by post. If you are getting a power flush done by a third party (not your insurance company), make sure that you have a proof of power flush, normally a certificate or receipt. Your insurance company will ask for this proof or they will demand it being done again.
1) - It is a revenue stream, as most of them exclude power flushing insurance, as standard.
2) - It greatly reduces the amount of callouts per property, because without all the sludge and debris in the system, parts will last longer and systems are more reliable. It means they get less calls and their cost base is reduced.
3) - If the engineers can start from a point where they know the system is clean, they can eliminate sludge and debris of the “possible problems” list. It means less problems to check and less time spent per callout.
If you have been recommended a power flush you can make sure that you really need it by having your central heating water tested, its free and you simply send off a sample by post. If you are getting a power flush done by a third party (not your insurance company), make sure that you have a proof of power flush, normally a certificate or receipt. Your insurance company will ask for this proof or they will demand it being done again.
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Ermintrude
Not always practical to flush with old system. Bbu with primaries just spreads the muck. Some times system won't heat or it's leaking or your changing rads. I always flush with new boiler but with filter in return.
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Gas
Ive stopped advertising/suggesting and doing power flushing completely these days, chemicals and mains pressure is much more effective
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