Can a powerflush cause leaks?
Not in a sound system. But on an older system, sludge can be hiding a pinhole in a rusty radiator or a worn valve, and washing it out can show that weak spot. We check the system first and tell you about anything that looks weak before we start.
The short answer
A powerflush doesn’t make holes in a sound system. What it can do is show up weak spots that were already there. On an old system, sludge sometimes plugs a pinhole in a corroded radiator or a worn valve. When the sludge is washed out, that weak spot can start to weep. This is why a good engineer checks the system before flushing and tells you about anything that looks weak.
Where leaks are most likely to show
- Old radiators that are rusting through, often along the bottom edge or the seams.
- Radiator valves with worn seals or glands.
- Old joints and fittings that were already seeping slightly.
- The boiler’s own parts on an older boiler, such as a worn pump seal or heat exchanger.
What we do to keep the risk low
- Check first. Before we start, we look over the boiler, pipes, radiators and valves, and check for existing leaks.
- Tell you straight. If a radiator or valve looks too far gone, we say so before we flush, not after.
- High flow, low pressure. The machine moves a lot of water, but at low pressure, and each radiator is flushed in turn.
- Protect your floors around the radiators while we work.
- Test before we leave. The system is refilled, every radiator is bled and checked hot, and we look over the system again.
If something does weep afterwards
Call or WhatsApp us straight away on 07540 335 087 and we will talk you through it. A weeping radiator or valve is usually a part that was close to the end of its life, and it can be replaced.
In Kent?
Kent Powerflush, Gas Safe 660156, covers Faversham, Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Thanet, Sandwich, Deal, Dover, Folkestone, Ashford and Sittingbourne, up to Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Gillingham, and Rye.
Local pages: powerflush in Canterbury, powerflush in Margate, powerflush in Sandwich, or see all the areas we cover.
Questions people ask
Can a powerflush damage my boiler?
A powerflush cleans the boiler along with the rest of the system. On an old boiler, worn parts can show up once sludge is removed, so we check the boiler before we start.
Is a powerflush safe for old radiators?
Usually, yes. Radiators that are badly corroded may weep once the sludge is washed out. We check them first and tell you if any look weak.
Is a powerflush safe for microbore pipes?
Microbore pipes are narrow and block more easily. We look at your system first and tell you honestly what will work for it.
What happens if a leak appears during the flush?
We deal with it there and then if we can, or tell you exactly which part has failed and what it needs.
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