Flushing a central heating system FAQ

Good plan, but don't forget to take very adequate precautions not to spill anything. It stains. I use foil containers or cat litter trays under each end of a radiator, put plastic sheet and newspaper down and then fit a little plastic bag with a rubber band over each radiator tail before taking radiator outside.

I assume that the system is pressurised? Another good thing to do is to flush some water out at each radiator valve while the radiator is removed. This should remove a fair amount of the crud from the pipework as well.

You may also want to consider fitting a strainer on the return into the boiler so that when you are circulating cleanser etc. any bits of crud coming through will be caught by it and not go into the boiler.

That's pretty much it......

I haven't come across the strainer idea before but it is hell of a good one. What is the kit that is needed?

Regarding flood control measures: I use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner to catch the water when removing rads. Much easier than endless shallow and wobbly little trays.

HTH

Richard

Article 7533 (one example)

Thanks. I will be doing this job one day this coming week.

Nice idea about the strainer too, so I will also be getting one of those.

I am also planning to install a water softener within the next few weeks, so that should also help as I live in a hard to very hard water area.

Salt water softener!

Steve..

One more thing.

Regarding the y shaped filter, I assume by openening the valve whilst in normal use, any gunge will come out?

Is there not a chance that even doing that will leave the filter bunged up, thus reducing the flow?

Steve..

Steve.

It would be good if there was some sort of transparent bowl type filter (like those things on air lines) so that you could see the state of the water and see the filter.

Yes, and so will water from the system.

If you plan to undo the strainer, it either means draining the system, or you could put a full bore isolating valve each side.

If that's happening, then more cleaning is needed or you didn't use inhibitor after you cleaned.

Once the system is clean, then there should be relatively little circulating crud.

The point is that you don't want it ending up in the boiler.

Thanks again.

Steve..