Power flushing

[06190126]

Hi Guys
I am considering adding power flushing to my services. Can anyone tell me how you difficult you find attaching the hoses to pump connections in combis?

I take it adaptors are required to fit and in most units space is quite tight.
Do you steer away from these units in preference to the unvented systems where access to the pump and connections are standard.

Your valued experience and advice much obliged.
Thanks
Pete

[Agile]

The pump adapters can be used with most combis without much difficulty.

Its probably more normal to make the attachment to a radiator in a room with a water proof floor like a bathroom for example.

Camco do a very good free 1/2 day course but take your own packed lunch and buy the adapters on the visit!

It all depends on why the power flushing is being done and what the objective is. Theres a lot more to it than just connecting up a bit of expensive equipment.

Tony



This message was edited by Agile on 5-6-06 @ 12:42 PM

[06190126]

Thanks Tony
I have assisted on a few flushes but these were all on unvented systems with easy access to the pumps.
Attaching to the rad valves is what I was thinking thanks for confirming as you know some of the pumps are quite restrictive with space.
I saw the Kamco training course online and will book a space asap.
The Kamco website is very informative with FAQ,s section.
Once again Tony your advice is greatly appreciated you must get no time to actually do plumbing work with your replies to almost every thread lol.
Cheers
Pete

[alanka]

There is a special adaptor (e.g. made by Kamco) that fits onto a pump without disconnecting the pump from the circuit. You have to unscrew and remove the front of the pump housing, then screw on the adaptor in its place. This is ideal for the inaccessible pumps you find inside a combi boiler.

Cheers, Big Al
_________________
Cheers, Big Al

[06190126]

Thanks to you also Big Al saw that adaptor advertised on the Website will look into when I do the traing course.
Regards
Pete

[SimonD]

Bear in mind the Kamco is a budget unit and has no heater.

Therefore you will not be able to powerflush any dead systems unless you run the new boiler, which is the worst thing you can do, of course.

The chemicals need a bit of heat to do their stuff. You pays your money, takes your choice. We use Norstrom machines with an inbuilt heater coil.

[Chris]

Nonsense. The chems are designed to work cold.
Norstom and owners of their machine might like to pretend otherwise.

It is a bit quicker if warmer, but you have to allow a day anyway which is enough for a pretty big system.
Kamco make several machines, all well designed.

Norstrom's device only has a small electric heater. You can always get heat from the HW cylinder, preheated, at a much faster rate.

[SimonD]

How can it be 'nonsense' AND a 'bit quicker'? What is your point, you seem to be contradicting yourself?

The more observant amongst the readers of your post may also note that not all central heating systems have a hot water cylinder - over 7m households in the UK, in fact.

My point was that if someone is buying a new machine, a unit with a heater - or that can be retrofitted with a heater - may be a better investment. Particularly if it can do the same job quicker.

[Chris]

It's all there in English. You said

[SimonD]

But I don't sell powerflush machines or chemicals.


But Fernox do, and I quote verbatim from their usage instructions;

Add Fernox Superconcentrate Cleaner F3 via the radiator air-vent. When pre-commission cleansing new systems Fernox Cleaner F3 should be circulated for a minimum of 1 hour at normal operating temperature. For cleansing existing systems, sludge and debris should be dispersed also within 1 hour at normal operating temperatures. However, to remove hardened iron oxides and limescale, the cleaning time can be extended to up to 1 week under the normal heating cycle.

[SimonD]

Haven't heard anything, so I can only assume that you are assisting Fernox in the re-writing of their instructions.

While you are there, you could avail them of your views on the chemical composition of their additives, and perhaps even give them some helpful advice?

[Chris]

No you haven't heard anything. You aren't worth any sort of quick response.
Glad you quoted Fernox, which agrees with my point, and disagrees with yours. But you do have to be able to read without blinkers to see it so you might have trouble.

While you're on about advising Fernox, you can tell them your twaddle about "German manufacturers" who advise against using an inhibitor.
(Thus coating the inside of the heat exchanger with limescale in about half an hour).