New Gas Boiler

adox

I need my gas boiler replaced and have a quote from a local guy who has done some work for me before which Ive been happy with.

Ive looked through the quote and cant see a "power flush" listed. The only thing I can see is "Install chemicals in the system" and "supply and fit new magclean on system"

Would this be ok? Just want to get it right and am pretty clueless about all this tbh.

adox

Spoke to the plumber about it and he said that because our pipes run directly into concrete floors that he wouldnt feel comfortable doing a proper power flush as if anything went amiss he wouldnt be able to access the pipes underneath the concrete. He said he can and will do it if I insist.
Also suggested removing all rads and washing them out as an alternative if needs be.

Hes done work for us before to a good standard and is well regarded locally.

adox

adox wrote: »

Spoke to the plumber about it and he said that because our pipes run directly into concrete floors that he wouldnt feel comfortable doing a proper power flush as if anything went amiss he wouldnt be able to access the pipes underneath the concrete. He said he can and will do it if I insist.
Also suggested removing all rads and washing them out as an alternative if needs be.

Hes done work for us before to a good standard and is well regarded locally.

If there is a issue deal with it now as flushing doesn’t cause problems it just cleanses the system which can possibly identify inherent problems.

Sludge has sandy characteristics so removing rads to get at sludge (if you have some) is pointless as it doesn’t do anything for the pipe work which is the lowest part of the heating system, for me the quality of the system water is the starting point of the decision making process.

If you get any dirt from your system into the boiler it may damage the boiler beyond repair or void your warranty, boiler manufacturers expect the system water to be as clean as though it had been flushed anything below that will put you on the back foot.

adox

gary71 wrote: »

If there is a issue deal with it now as flushing doesn’t cause problems it just cleanses the system which can possibly identify inherent problems.

Sludge has sandy characteristics so removing rads to get at sludge (if you have some) is pointless as it doesn’t do anything for the pipe work which is the lowest part of the heating system, for me the quality of the system water is the starting point of the decision making process.

If you get any dirt from your system into the boiler it may damage the boiler beyond repair or void your warranty, boiler manufacturers expect the system water to be as clean as though it had been flushed anything below that will put you on the back foot.

Thanks for the reply Gary.
We havent noticed any problems with sludge in the system and, while we have bled a radiator or two that has been air locked and the water a dirty colour, we havent noticed any sludge or sand at all.

I just presumed that a power flush was automatically done when installing a new boiler. I`m a little confused now as it seems that it should really be done but hes given me the impression that it may be risky to do because the pipes go into and run through concrete floors.

Maybe I should look elsewhere for another quote and see what they say?

Id hate to spend money on a boiler install that should have been power flushed first.

adox

adox wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Gary.
We havent noticed any problems with sludge in the system and, while we have bled a radiator or two that has been air locked and the water a dirty colour, we havent noticed any sludge or sand at all.

I just presumed that a power flush was automatically done when installing a new boiler. I`m a little confused now as it seems that it should really be done but hes given me the impression that it may be risky to do because the pipes go into and run through concrete floors.

Maybe I should look elsewhere for another quote and see what they say?

Id hate to spend money on a boiler install that should have been power flushed first.

In fairness there are a lot of installers that would give you the same advice as your original RGI and you would get away with in some instances but it’s only a problem when it’s a problem then it’s too late.

The manufacturers of a boiler require a clean heating system, the best way of achieving this is to power flush anything else is less than a power flush, if your home required a power flush and it wasn’t done you would then need to flush while also dealing with any issues you were trying to originally prevent plus a compromised boiler warranty.

adox

gary71 wrote: »

In fairness there are a lot of installers that would give you the same advice as your original RGI and you would get away with in some instances but it’s only a problem when it’s a problem then it’s too late.

The manufacturers of a boiler require a clean heating system, the best way of achieving this is to power flush anything else is less than a power flush, if your home required a power flush and it wasn’t done you would then need to flush while also dealing with any issues you were trying to originally prevent plus a compromised boiler warranty.

Thanks for taking the time to reply it’s appreciated and given me food for thought.

The boiler he quoted for is an Ideal Logic with 5 year warranty. Our semi d house is small enough, circa 1000 feet with 8 rads in total.

adox

adox wrote: »

Thanks for taking the time to reply it’s appreciated and given me food for thought.

The boiler he quoted for is an Ideal Logic with 5 year warranty. Our semi d house is small enough, circa 1000 feet with 8 rads in total.

The hardest problem for you is finding a good tradesman that can be trusted which you have achieved so I would work with him, the advice he has given you isn’t unusual but by dealing with any issues if they show themselves now rather than wait to show itself when your least ready will give you a quieter life.

Also you will give yourself better boiler longevity and a system that meets the highest standards.