Power Flushing Simplified

One of the most frequent questions ask about power flushing is Will power flushing cause any leaks?

Now this is highly unlikely because most power flush systems are designed so that the maximum pressure is two bars or less. It is a high flow rate that makes power flushing effective, not high pressure.

Some systems may have radiators with localised deep corrosion pits, with only a scab of rust preventing the system water from leaking out. The vigorous flow rate required to mobilise sludge and deposits may dislodge the scab, leading to a leak from the radiator.

The advanced stage of corrosion means that the leak would occur in due course, even without a power flush. If the problem is revealed by the flushing process, it is better that it occurs whilst a heating engineer is present to resolve the problem.

Another myth is can you use the hot water when power flushing the answer in most cases is yes, some boilers just require a minimum of 0.5 bar of water pressure before it will fire but if it’s a Vaillant boiler for example the boiler requires a minimum of 0.8 bar water pressure before firing.

Last but not least my favourite myth of them all is will the power flush machine damage the boiler? Because this is most definitely an old wife’s tale! For safety reasons the internal workings of a boiler have to be tested by the manufacturer to withstand 4.5 bar. The maximum pressure of a power flushing machine will never exceed much more than 2 bar, and therefore won’t over-pressurise and damage the internal workings of a boiler.

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Hive Plumbing & Heating Limited