Welcome to the forum. Although you can post in any forum, the USA forum is here in case of local regs or laws

How to clean central heating system

View the thread, titled "How to clean central heating system" which is posted in Central Heating Forum on UK Plumbers Forums.

D

davevincent

Hello,

I'm a new user, amateur with little experience. To summarise, I've moved into a new house in the past year, the boiler has become very noisy, I'm planning to clean out the system and I was hoping for some general advice from people with experience.

The system is closed with a combi (Worcester 24i , fairly old model). The system had a very slow leak which we got fixed when we moved in a year ago - not sure how long the previous owner was topping it up. The system doesn't have any other leaks. The boiler has become v noisy over the winter - makes alarming bubbling, kettling and grinding/banging noises. I have have guessed this is due to limescale and metal oxides in the system. The water when bled is grey and leaves iron oxide deposits when dried. The radiators are all hot (although very slightly cooler at bottom than top) and the system is full with no air in any radiator. I want to see if I can sort the problem before I get a plumber/boiler man out.

My plan is to drain the system, flush out every radiator (there are 6) with a garden hose, refit. refill system and add a cleaner. Then flush again, refill and add inhibitor. I have seen conflicting ideas about the effectiveness of these cleaners. I was planning to try either sentinel X400 or Fernox F5, flush out then add X200 or F3.

Here are my questions: is this a good idea? what are the chances this will solve my problem? What are the chances or further leaks? What are the best products to use? If it doesn't work will paying for a powerflush work? Is my boiler racked off?

Any opinions gladly and gratefully received!!!
 
Your plan sounds OK - would leave the cleaning in a few days.

Would be easier and quicker to hire a power flush machine - HSS have on offer during February, I believe they will fix the price if paid for before offer periods ends, so you could probably just make it, and book the machine for when you are ready. Comes with all instructions and fittings.
 
I would circulate X800 for a few days then use the flush unit from HSS. It will be less work than humping all the rads outside!
See what the boiler sounds like after.
 
Thanks for the very helpful replies! Was quoted 44 quid for rental of the power flusher from HSS. Think i'll clean out a couple of the radiators anyway, whack in the restorer and leave for a week or two and think about the flush.

Again thanks, I hope the boiler gets over it!
 

Official Sponsors of Plumbers Talk

Reply to the thread, titled "How to clean central heating system" which is posted in Central Heating Forum on Plumbers Forums.

We recommend City Plumbing Supplies, BES, and Plumbing Superstore for all plumbing supplies.

Sponsors

Thread statistics

Created
davevincent,
Last reply from
davevincent,
Replies
4
Views
1,872
Back
Top