Frequently Asked
Questions
Question: What is a Power Flush?
Answer: Power flushing is cleaning
everything the water travels through in your heating system ie.
radiators, pipe work, boiler and hot water coil.
The procedure should only be carried out by an
experienced engineer using a high velocity pump to circulate
powerful chemicals around your heating system until all the magnetic
sludge, debris and scale has been removed (see
Gallery). The Kamco ClearFlow
pump will then
circulate fresh mains water around your heating circuit until a safe
pH level has been achieved (pH 7). An inhibitor is then added to
protect the system from corrosion and scale build up re-occurring.
Question: Is Power Flushing a messy job?
Answer: No. The procedure is carried
out in a controlled area ie. bathroom, utility or kitchen. A
Kamco ClearFlow power flushing pump
is connected to your circulating pump (if you have an open vented
system) which is usually in your airing cupboard with your hot water
cylinder, or connected directly to your combi boiler (if you have a
sealed system). If neither is possible, then a radiator is removed
and a connection is made to the tails (with the exception of
micro-bore). This is usually
carried out in the bathroom.
There is no need for the lifting of carpet or
flooring, and there is no disruption to any other services. All
magnetic sludge is collected on a Kamco
CombiMag (powerful magnetic filter), and dumped down a
drain gully (see Gallery).
Answer: Micro-bore is a small pipe
system, with a external diameter of 8 to 10 millimetres.
Distribution of water to your radiators is done via a manifold (in
most cases beneath the floor). Flow and return pipes from the heat
source to the manifold are usually 22 millimetres in diameter.
Question: Can micro-bore systems be
power flushed successfully?
Answer: Yes, but the connection of the
Kamco ClearFlow pump should be
made onto the circulator pump fittings and not to a radiator,
otherwise the small bore tubing will drastically reduce the flow
rate, and the system power flush will be less successful than
normal. The Power Flush Specialist
double-dose on chemicals (ie using 5 litres of FX2 instead of the
usual 2 1/2 litres, or 2 litres of Kamco
HyperFlush rather than the usual 1 litre) to ensure the
particles of debris are dispersed in as finer form as possible.
If we can't clear a radiator on a micro-bore
system due to a plug of sludge that is blocking the narrow diameter
pipe work, a Kamco SystemSure
injector is used to pressurise the section of pipe work until the
plug has been removed.
In general, power flushing a micro-bore system
is a more complicated procedure than a standard power flush, and
must only be carried out by an experienced engineer using
specialised equipment and chemicals.
Question: Can power flushing cause
leaks?
Answer: It is rare for a heating system
to experience leaks after the power flushing process. However,
experienced heating engineers will probably explain the following to
householders. Sludge and debris are present as a result of corrosion
over a long period of time.
The power flushing process will cure most
circulation problems, but cannot undo the corrosion and gradual
decay of heating system components that has led to the need to power
flush the system. Occasionally some systems may have radiators with
localised deep corrosion pits, with only a scab of rust protecting
them from leaking. The vigorous flow rate required to mobilise
sludge and deposits may dislodge such a scab, leading to a leak from
the radiator during the flushing process.
The advanced stage of corrosion required for
such a situation means that the leak will occur imminently, even
without a power flush. If it should be brought forward slightly by
the flushing process, then it is better that it occurs when a
heating engineer is present to remedy the problem, rather than for
it to arise over a weekend, or whilst the house is unoccupied.
Kamco
flushing chemicals are comprehensively inhibited, so that they do
not affect the metals from which heating systems are constructed.
They are formulated so they loosen and dissolve the corrosion
by-products that cause boiler noise and circulation problems.
Question: How long does it take to
power flush a heating system?
Answer: It will vary from house to
house, but generally about 4 to 5 hours for a 3 bedroom house with a
vented system, but less time for a sealed combi system as you have
less remedial work capping off the cold feed and vent pipe, and
removing the feed tank for cleaning. However it will take
considerably longer for a vented system with micro-bore pipe work.
For an Instant FREE power flush quote call
0333
5777 200
 |
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0333 5777 200
