Your central heating system will experience problems over time as dirt builds up in it. Though many people think of buying a new boiler when it starts showing weird signs, it is not always required. The article below will tell you about two cleaning processes- power flush and chemical flush, the difference between them and which one is better.
Power flush
Rust and debris get collected in the heat exchanger due to corrosion, which leads to various issues. In addition, the formation of scale prevents the free flow of water in the heat exchanger, leading to loud sounds from the boiler. A power flush helps remove the debris, sludge and dirt from the pipes of the exchanger. It can resolve various issues in the boiler and save you from buying a new boiler unnecessarily. In power flush, hot water and a combination of chemicals are flushed into the exchanger to remove debris. So, it can help you keep your boiler in good condition in the long term. According to experts, a power flush must be performed every six or seven years.
Cost of a power flush
The price of power flush depends upon several factors, such as the size of the radiator and several other factors. If you live in a big house with lots of rooms, you may need to pay more because engineers have to flush the chemicals at a much greater rate. And, also if the power flushing engineer in London finds some other problems with the boiler that needs repair, you may need to pay additional money. But it will still be less than buying a new central heating system for your home and office.
Chemical flush
Unlike power flush, which uses high pressure for cleaning, chemical flush relies on gravity to collect debris from the boiler and then refill the clean water in the radiator. It uses a mixture of chemicals to remove dirt, sludge and debris from the system. Like power flush, chemical flush take off sludge that blocks the pipes and improves the system operation.
Cost of chemical flush
Just like power flush, chemical flush price depends upon the size of the central heating system. And chemical flush can be performed every year or two to ensure the boiler is functioning properly.
Which is better?
As discussed before, power flushes clear out sludge from the heating system through high pressure and sometimes high temperature. Therefore it is best to use power flush when your system has become really dirty or showing the below symptoms:
- Constantly leaking.
- Producing excessive noise.
- Working inefficiently.
- Taking time to heat up.
On the other hand, if the system is not too dirty, go for a chemical flush. It is generally performed in new boilers systems where power flush is not required. You can consider it as a system maintenance program to ensure the system keeps running smoothly. So whether you should choose a power flush or a chemical flush depends on your heating system needs.