De-sludging CH system?

[IAmATeaf]

Have read a few threads on this and I am confused as to what Fernox product I should use, Super Concentrate Restorer or DS-40? or will I need to use both.

My CH system is a few years old and some of rads have a build of sludge so that the bottom of the rads are warm but the tops are hot so wanted to remove the sludge residue within the system.

Any hints, tips or general help will be appreciated.

Also the Fernox official statement refers to running the system for 6-7 days with DS-40 but the advice here seems to be for only 24 hours so which is recommended and would DS-40 cause any harm to the system if I left it running for longer than 24 hours.

Regards

[soggy_weet]

Hi,

I would reccomend ds40 as the product to use, and yes it does require a 6-7 day period with heating and hot water in continual use.

The system must then be neutralised in accordance with fernox's instructions, and an Inhibitor added upon the last refill of the system.

One drawback with this product, is that it has a nasty habit of finding 'weak' points in any c/heating system, which have to be addressed QUICKLY.

Once completed though, you will have a VERY clean system.

David

[IAmATeaf]

Thanks for the response Mr soggy_weet.

One last query, when you say 6-7 days does the heating/hot water have to be on continuously of can I run for the normal 3-4 hours morning and evening per day. Why I ask is that turning the system off may cause the sludge to settle so is this likely to cause a problem?

[soggy_weet]

No not really, but the sludge wont 're-settle' when the pump stops. You just want the pump running with a hot system for as long as possible during those 7 days for the acid to eat away at the sludge.

Every de-sludge I have done, has been when my customers can guarantee me that someone will be at home during those 7 days. As I said before there may be weak points in the system, and DS40 will find them!

Dave

[TAHS]

I have read much about flushing central heating systems, including use of flushing agents. However, I have just been told by a plumber that there is a new product that employs magnetism to extract the black iron oxide. I understand that the product is the MagnaClean Central Heating Cleaner. Great things are claimed of it at Plumbworld's website:

http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/1374-0000

Is anyone able to relate his or her experiences of this product or others like it, please?

Regards, Tim[b] [/b][b] [/b]

[Agile]

The Magnaclean is very effective at trapping magnetic sludge and stopping it from getting into the boiler. It is particularly good at preventing combi boiler plate heat exchangers getting blocked.

Heavy deposits in the system do little harm if they are not mobile or preventing flow.

If rads are cold at the bottom chemicals alone are unlikely to be effective and power flushing may be necessary to try to shift them.

Tony

[toby997]

I cleaned my 14 rad system using a product called rapid dose sludge remover and it worked a treat. I circulated it for a week when the heating system was running a normal daily cycle. I had some radiators that were stone cold previously but they were so hot when I finished that i had to turn them down. My daughter even burnt her stomach on her bedroom rad as she went to close the curtains!

It was dead easy to inject into the system and it didnt cause any leaks even though my systems 25 years old, if not older.

I've thrown the can away now and I cant remember who makes it but it was in a large green&blue aerosol can. I was put onto it by a friend in the plumbing trade who swears by it and I would recommend it based on my experience.