Power flush and 3-port valve

[Grumps]

HelloMy central heating system had a power flush done about 10 days ago as recommended by British Gas engineer who was called out as the F-E tank was receiving hot water that was being boiled. I suspected a faulty boiler thermostat but BG man said that either this type of stat works or it doesn't. The boiling over has been remedied by me lowering the boiler setting.Another issue not mentioned during 1st visit was that some rads get warm when only hot water is on. Suspected 3-port valve. So on engineers last visit he says he can replace the valve but not under the service agreement as BG did not do the power flush and the system is now flagged as sludged up!He said that a power flush breaks these valves and during the BG power flush they replace the valve and pump.How much of what BG told me is actually true? They will fit a new valve that I obtain myself. Any parts that they supply will have to be paid for, labour is free under the service contract.Thanks for any feedback.

 

[buckley plumb]

i am not sure but i went to a customer of a 1 year old house that was all speedfit pipe work and bg would not take the system on contract unless they paid £800 for a power flush .like any trade you get honest and unhonest trades men - i cant see how bg can moniter its employees now that they franchise most work out.

ant

 

[aggis]

Never heard of powerflushing breaking motorized valves, try contacting Fernox,Sentinel or Kamco ask if they've had problems!

 

[ecowarm]

What a load of male cow pats, how can a powerflush break a 3 port valve or a pump?????????????

BG talk Crap as in crapper the inventor of the the flushing loo

 

[Grumps]

I will contact Sentinel as it was their Jetflush and chemicals that were used. I suspect that they will say they have never encountered a problem with motorised valves. It will turn out to be a never ending struggle tying to convince BG that they should replace the valve under the terms of the contract, but once they determine (by some for of guesswork) that you have a sludged system then they will insist on their own power flush before the system will be covered fully. However, if I want to continue to have cover for the system, then I should just ditch BG and go with nPower who offer the same service. I don't believe the system is sludged, and is working nicely (after the valve is fixed), so there is no reason for it not to be covered on a new contract.The only issue I think I have is a faulty boiler stat. It's a 28 year old Potterton boiler and the stat was described to me as a liquid filled tube and bellows assembly. I have the boiler setting at minimum as the previous summer setting now boils the water. The BG man said this is down to sludge and pumping over. From a layman's position, we can only take advice from those who we are led to believe are trustworthy and knowledgable. And I suspect many people would take BG at their word and pay for their flush service and Magnaclean fitting.

 

[diamondgas]

Grumps, best thing to do is walk away from shoddy service in my opinion! find someone local who appreciates the custom you're offering!

 

[SabreHeatingLtd]

BG would recommend a Powerflush to fix a Cooker!! Hope you got it done at a fair price. As for the Rads getting hot with no call for heating could be 3 port valve, if you know where the manual lever is on the valve try moving it if its fairly stiff but smooth with a whirring sound when released it's probably ok.
Otherwise of the return pipes from the rads which get hot may be teed in to the main return pipe after the cylinder return or could be both these things! (unlikely) Only other thing i could guess at is both flow and return to said rads could be connected to main flow/return from/to the boiler? Hope this helps!
I agree that powerflushing will not break motorised valves or pumps though!

 

[Grumps]

The lever movement appears to do as you indicate, with the whirr etc. I now notice that the rads do not heat up anymore. I could do a few experiments, switching the heating on/off etc, and playing with the lever and see what the results are. Or I could just get the valve replaced.

 

[quality]

Grumps, best thing to do is walk away from shoddy service in my opinion! find someone local who appreciates the custom you're offering!

Take good advice

 

[quality]

Grumps, best thing to do is walk away from shoddy service in my opinion! find someone local who appreciates the custom you're offering!

<br>Take this good advice

 

[SafeGasInstall]

so sorry to hear such a story even

Steven Spielberg - IMDb

this gentlemen will be jealous to a such a story 🙂

 

[Grumps]

Well maybe I'll put a script together for him. I know he does comedy, but this is more slapstick.On a serious note, Sentinel replied to my question about possible damage caused by their Jetflush and said that there was "no risk" of damage. I know I'm wasting my time trying to convince BG but it's worth a phone call just for entertainment value.

 

[SafeGasInstall]

do your self a favour and ask round for a local plumber ,he will look after you ! forget about BG !
will be cheaper and honest service from a local plumber !

 

[RoryD]

If you needed a flush then the engineer should have taken a sample and sent it to Fernox for analysis. Flushing will not break a 3 port valve; BG will not replace a 3 port valve but will replace the pump; guarantee the system for life; and will do it right, if not they'll redo it. Noone here will guarantee that despite silly remarks being made by the less technical in here. You must complain and ensure action against this individual. He blatantly lied to you and misled you. I suggest the pumping over being experienced is due to incorrect configuration or a blocked cold feed.

 

[Grumps]

These are the points as I see them:1) the "pumping over" I think is caused by the boiler boiling the water as the stat is faulty in some way. It just sounded like a kettle boiling but doesn't do it now as I have lowered the stat setting.2) BG told me that the system is sludged and they will not cover any wet work until THEY power flush it. He did not take a water sample,3) BG told me that the power flush I had independently done broke the 3-port valve.4) BG told me that they could replace the valve for the cost of parts. The parts (actuator and plate - not the whole valve) would cost £78.5) BG told me that when they do a power flush then they change the valve and pump.As I might've indicated, BG won't be maintaining my system anymore.

 

[Howsie]

28 year old boiler? 😀

 

[SafeGasInstall]

These are the points as I see them:1) the "pumping over" I think is caused by the boiler boiling the water as the stat is faulty in some way. It just sounded like a kettle boiling but doesn't do it now as I have lowered the stat setting.2) BG told me that the system is sludged and they will not cover any wet work until THEY power flush it. He did not take a water sample,3) BG told me that the power flush I had independently done broke the 3-port valve.4) BG told me that they could replace the valve for the cost of parts. The parts (actuator and plate - not the whole valve) would cost £78.5) BG told me that when they do a power flush then they change the valve and pump.As I might've indicated, BG won't be maintaining my system anymore.

good for you ,use local business will serve you better and cheaper 🙂

 

[mfgs]

The pumping over is most likely sludge in the system. Kettling is caused by the heat exchanger being scaled/sludged up. Maybe the person who did the powerflush didnt do a great job.

If you believe you shouldnt have to pay for the 3 port to be replaced, call up BG and question this.

 

[Grumps]

What is pumping over?

 

[WHPES]

BG talk Crap as in crapper the inventor of the the flushing loo

Crapper did not invent the flushing loo, only produced and sold them. The name is a coincidence - the word "crap" is much older.

 

[Grumps]

There may well be some sludge left in the system. It was a local plumber that flushed the system. It took all day and lots of tea. The kettling before flushing was loud, it is now much quieter."Pumping over" does not happen any more. Maybe due to the flush, or maybe due to the boiler stat being set to min.

 

[RoryD]

Well maybe I'll put a script together for him. I know he does comedy, but this is more slapstick.On a serious note, Sentinel replied to my question about possible damage caused by their Jetflush and said that there was "no risk" of damage. I know I'm wasting my time trying to convince BG but it's worth a phone call just for entertainment value.

You're obviously among other 'experts' in here, I think I've indicated accurately why your system is 'pumping over'. As previously mentioned powerflushing doesn't break 3 port valves but the ball does actually break off from the plate on honeywell valves which are double easy to replace. Should refrain from the showbiz reviews Grumps, you'll just get drawn in to a hate campaign by the less technical guys in here. ( cat among the pigeons comes to mind !!)

 

[Grumps]

I think everyone here is an expert compared to me! Why does lowering the boiler stat setting stop the pumping over?

 

[Grumps]

That was interestng. I just had the 3-port valve replaced (not by BG - as they will not cover this on my contract due to sludge and have already said that the PF had broken it). The boiler stat has also been replaced (BG said there was nothing wrong with the stat).
The PF people have just called and tested the rad water again and told me (as they would no doubt) that it is clean.
I have cancelled my BG contract due to, 1) Forcing me to have a BG PF at a cost of £700, 2) Telling me that the PF had broken the valve, 3) Being lied to that a BG PF would include a new valve, 4) Not testing the water to see if sludge was an issue, 5) Too expensive. Basically indefensible and incompetent behaviour, and I will take my custom elsewhere.

 

[RoryD]

That was interestng. I just had the 3-port valve replaced (not by BG - as they will not cover this on my contract due to sludge and have already said that the PF had broken it). The boiler stat has also been replaced (BG said there was nothing wrong with the stat).
The PF people have just called and tested the rad water again and told me (as they would no doubt) that it is clean.
I have cancelled my BG contract due to, 1) Forcing me to have a BG PF at a cost of £700, 2) Telling me that the PF had broken the valve, 3) Being lied to that a BG PF would include a new valve, 4) Not testing the water to see if sludge was an issue, 5) Too expensive. Basically indefensible and incompetent behaviour, and I will take my custom elsewhere.

And everyone was happy??