Does fitting a Magnaclean professional unit do away with the need to powerflush/

[Storm]

or chemical clean of the whole system?

Sorry - I didn't know where to post this. I have been comparing quotes for replacing our boiler. Most say it will need a chemical clean or power flush to clean out the old system ( I assume radiators - ours are old) if only for warranty purposes. One quotes the magnaclean instead. I have never heard of it. We are not made of money, but don't want to cut corners either.

Thanks.

 

[pauls]

magna cleans are a good pice of equipment i fit them on every boiler install i do, they protect the system and collect all the iron oxide sludge that forms in the system via a magnetic filter. the system should be cleaned before a new install to comply with the manufacture.

 

[pauls]

no the magna clean wont do away with the need to powerflush

 

[yorkieplumber]

powerflush is not always advisable on old systems, magnacleans are a good piece of kit, but you still need a inhibitor in system for protection.

 

[Storm]

Thanks - I wonder why he doen't seem to think he needs to do one then. I was going to go with this quote, but if he is missing out an important step, it makes me nervous that he'll miss something else somewhere else... Is it better to powerflush or chemical clean, or does it make no difference? Does the chemical clean smell (I have young children and don't want them breathing fumes...)

 

[Storm]

Thank you Yorkie - what's an inhibitor?

 

[pauls]

the chemical put in is fume free so no need to worry with young children on the fumes. an inhibitor stops the system from rusting up inside.

 

[Bartdude]

A chemical clean means adding a liquid to the heating system and letting it circulate,preferably for over 1 week,then the system is drained and flushed through and the idea is for a lot of the sludge in the system to be removed.

A powerflush means using a machine to connect to the heating system,a cleaning agent is added and the radiators are cleaned one at a time,the powerflush machine uses a powerful pump and is more thorough.It takes 1 day usually.Will be more expensive too.

Both methods will be adequate for warranty purposes as long as recognised chemical treatments are used,if you use Fernox or Sentinel you'll be fine.

The Magnaclean will provide ongoing protection but should be used in conjunction with the cleaning process,not instead of.

You'll get lots of opinions on which method is should be used,I think it depends on the situation.Personally I only use a powerflush on a really dirty system,I don't own a machine so I borrow one if I need it,it can end up finding leaks in systems too.Some of the other lads on here use them more than I do,maybe they can give a few more pros and cons.

I'd be surprised if you had been quoted to have a Magnaclean fitted without a clean too,but you never know! Only you can decide which quote to go with though,did he seem pretty confident and sound like he knew his stuff?? Mind you,there's lots of people who can talk a good game

Edit: To answer your question,an inhibitor is a chemical that is added to the heating water to prevent corrosion and sludge build up.

 

[Mustard]

use the boiler as a power flush use slug remover in the system run for up to 30 days then drain system and clean the magnaclean and refill the system, due to a power flush can pop joints in old systems

 

[Centralheatking]

If you are intending to fit a new boiler on to an old/existing system then what you have been told is correct. Older boilers have larger water pathways through them. new boilers have tiny but efficient heat exchangers that will not be able to cope with the black sludge you are probably familiar with.

THe new boilers will block up - a bit like cholersterol in your body. So in order to keep your new boiler under cover from whoever made it is is now essential to

1. clean your existing heating system 2. put in a filter to keep it clean (magnaclean are old technology now - there are better ones)

I could go on forever about this as we specialise in water treatment of non potable sealed systems.

centralheatking

 

[markproperjob]

power flushing is the only way to completely clean out a system properly.
chem cleaning will NOT budge compacted iron oxide in old rads.
it also takes too long if you are waiting for a new install.
yes, power flushing can open up pin holes in sludge bound rads, but chemicals will also do that-eventually- when there is no plumber on site to deal with the problem!!
I have a rothenberger powerflushing machine, i bought it because i fit a fair few new oil boilers, and every manufacturer states that the system MUST be flushed before installation. if the new boiler goes faulty or ruptures within warranty period, the manufacterers agents will know straight away if the system has been correctly cleaned prior to install by the amount of iron oxide in the boiler.
I have had duplicate disclaimer sheets made, to have signed by customer prior to flushing, as if an old radiator has such severe build up of very corrosive iron oxide sludge inside, it could blow pinholes during process.
i WILL deal with any such problems immidiately, but replacing worn out rads is at customers cost, as i did not damage their radiator, lack of thorough cleaning/maintainence damaged their radiator.
and inhibitor is achemical that neutrilises oxygen in the central heating system, thus preventing oxidisation (rusting) and needs top up annually.
Magna cleans are excellent, and i reccomend every system have one, but they are a PREVENTATIVE measure, and CANNOT remove sludge build up already in the system for years.
Hope my experience in this matter helps!
Mark

 

[Blackcatgas]

power flushing is the only way to completely clean out a system properly.
chem cleaning will NOT budge compacted iron oxide in old rads.
it also takes too long if you are waiting for a new install.
yes, power flushing can open up pin holes in sludge bound rads, but chemicals will also do that-eventually- when there is no plumber on site to deal with the problem!!
I have a rothenberger powerflushing machine, i bought it because i fit a fair few new oil boilers, and every manufacturer states that the system MUST be flushed before installation. if the new boiler goes faulty or ruptures within warranty period, the manufacterers agents will know straight away if the system has been correctly cleaned prior to install by the amount of iron oxide in the boiler.
I have had duplicate disclaimer sheets made, to have signed by customer prior to flushing, as if an old radiator has such severe build up of very corrosive iron oxide sludge inside, it could blow pinholes during process.
i WILL deal with any such problems immidiately, but replacing worn out rads is at customers cost, as i did not damage their radiator, lack of thorough cleaning/maintainence damaged their radiator.
and inhibitor is achemical that neutrilises oxygen in the central heating system, thus preventing oxidisation (rusting) and needs top up annually.
Magna cleans are excellent, and i reccomend every system have one, but they are a PREVENTATIVE measure, and CANNOT remove sludge build up already in the system for years.
Hope my experience in this matter helps!
Mark

Agree with the above 100% very well put.
Power flushing can find pin holes in old rads and pop off old leaded solderd joints, but its better to find them on the flush than when the system is running at similiar pressures on the new boiler install (sealed systems).
Machine power flush + Magnaclean = belt and braces+many more years of reliable service from your new boiler.

 

[H2ODAN]

when you say old how old we talking here?

 

[Bodd]

Agree with the above 100% very well put.
Power flushing can find pin holes in old rads and pop off old leaded solderd joints, but its better to find them on the flush than when the system is running at similiar pressures on the new boiler install (sealed systems).
Machine power flush + Magnaclean = belt and braces+many more years of reliable service from your new boiler.

Spot on Black Cat. He explained himself very well. I always say the same, "better to find a leak while you have a plumber in your house"

OP you really should have a PF and a magnetic filter fitted, anyone not stating they will do a PF I suggest you keep clear of.

Bod

 

[kay-jay]

at a trade exhibition just before xmas the bloke from sentinel was telling anyone who would listen how their magnetic cleaner eliminates the need for a power flush! i dare say this was more about shifting units than preaching fact. however this is the kind of practice that can lead to customers getting bad info and possibly finding out later on that the warranty on their now knackered boiler is invalid.

KJ