How To Powerflush Open Vent Heating System Day in the life of a Gas Engineer / Plumber

Powerflushing a Central Heating System in Leeds.
Power Flush on a gas boiler central heating system. Today we're doing a power flush on an open vent system, and we've been called out to an Ideal Logic. The customers wanted to put this onto a service contract, and the energy supplier has said that it needs flushing, so that's what we're here to do today. What I'm going to do is, I'll do a overview of what we're doing, and I'll take all the pump out, and I'll show you how I flush a heating system. Let's go and have a look.
With this type of system we have a header tank up in the loft. What we've got here, we've got us flow that comes up from the boiler, it goes up through the filter, so we've got a Spirotech filter on this. Then, we've got us pump, it goes around here, and then we've got a heating zone that goes for the heating. Then, we've got another zone valve there and that goes for the hot water cylinder. What I'm going to do now is, I'm going to take this pump out, on here. A bit of a change of plan, the nuts on the pump is quite hard to get off so what I'm going to do is I'm going to take the filter out, and I'm connect my adaptor in there. I'm going to remove the filter anyway because I'm going to put it on return, because it's always better on the return. Let's take this out. I need to remove this olive off here, so I'm going to use this Monument olive puller. It just makes it a bit easier. You can see in there, it's definitely got muck in it.
So, I've connected machine in there, them connectors, and then if we have a look, I've also connected the MagnaCleanse in. What I've done with the MagnaCleanse is, I've took one of the connectors off, off the MagnaCleanse, and then I swapped it. Put it onto the hose for the power flush machine, and on the other end of that, this is off the blue hose. I've just made it so that we can adapt it, so we can use the MagnaCleanse with this power flush machine. This has got a combined cold feed and expansion. This is actually blocked, so that's something we need to sort out as well. Those magnets are nice and clean to start with. We're just flushing it now.
I've connected the cold feed there, and I've put an hose pipe on it. What I'm doing now is, I'm running the tank, and we're just trying to clear that pipe out. I've just been trying to wash this tank out, still got a bit more to clean out of there yet. I'm going to put some power flush chemicals in now, you can use various different manufacturers chemicals. Then, we're going to heat the system, let it run round for about half an hour to an hour with all the radiators fully open. Then, once we've done that I'm going to turn all the radiators off, apart from one, and then I'm going to let the machine flush through that with the chemicals until that's clean.
Then, what I'll do then is reverse the flow on that, and just make sure that that radiator is nice and clean. Then, what we'll do, we'll go to the next radiator, open the next radiator, and then we'll turn the last radiator off. Then, we'll do that all the way round the system until all the radiators are all nice and warm, and all working. Then what we'll do is, we'll start dumping it, and we'll put cold water in, and then we'll dump it as well, at the same time. I'm going to go do that now.
We can also do this with the boiler running on this one, so we'll get heat into the system. It's been running now just for a few minutes. We can see there, it's already got quite a lot on it. That one as well, so we'll clean that out now. Then, we can check with the thermal imaging camera, so you can clearly see on that that we've got a lot of flow on the right hand side there. Then, we've got flow on the left hand side as well. We just need to get this a bit better. This thermal imaging camera is not great to be honest, but it gives us an idea.
According to this we've got about a 74 now on the bottom of the radiator, and you can see it sort of stops there, and then you can see then we've got 53 and 67. We can see at the bottom of that radiator, that's still got sludge in it. Going to just reverse the flow on this now. I've turned the boiler off now but we've still got the flushing machine going round. If we have a look at the temperature there now it's about 67 at one side, it's about 69 at the other, and then in middle we've got, it's about 65, 66, 65. It's certainly made a big difference now.
We can see there, that we've just got a little bit more just to clear out, so it's warm on one side and it's warm across all the other side. Then, we've just got that. We're going to turn the machine back and forth to try and clear that. What we'll do, we'll go back and forth with the flow on the machine and we'll get that cleared out, and then we'll move onto the next radiator, and then we'll do the same again.
Right then guys, that's it, all done.

[@AllenHart999]

Power flushing does not always work to clean out hardened sludge, as an alternative try Powder Flush - www.PowderFlush.co.uk How Powder Flush works - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpjKpHWBlqirbdE Powder Flush in real life - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5ibenqJfNOGb5I Powder Flush experiment - m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fouQh6N7oK5nmdE

[@achilleskaysen9179]

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[@jordanandre3477]

@Achilles Kaysen instablaster :)

[@achilleskaysen9179]

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[@achilleskaysen9179]

@Jordan Andre It worked and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thank you so much, you really help me out!

[@jordanandre3477]

@Achilles Kaysen You are welcome :)

[@WatfordWobble]

The World needs more plumbers like you. I’ve stumbled across your channel and love you conscientious approach to your work.

[@AllenHart999]

Thank you.

[@kevincuthbert3058]

Great video Allen, I’ve been around pipework all my working life ( 45 years ) and I’d be happy to have your work in my house.

[@AllenHart999]

Thank you

[@sheat-ff9er]

Always a very professional worker, he genuinely knows his trade! Clear informative videos, no over inflated ego. What a nice guy.. Sadly, not too many in the plumbing game! When I need a new boiler..I will be hunting you down, I am not too far away WF17.. Keep up the fabulous videos.

[@buxvan]

Really good informative video . You are one of the "decent heating engineers" I'm a heating engineer too & don't own a powerflusher but think I'm going to buy one after watching this.

[@AllenHart999]

Thank you for taking the time to watch my video.

[@1LittleTinker]

Many thanks, I now understand the power flush process nicely, great bit of pre sleep learning. If HSS or similar hire these machines I might give this a go, although all my rads get hot I know the water is pretty black if I drain water from heat exchanger. Thanks again, great video

[@dazscrivo]

Nice to meet you there Allen looks like you got plenty out of system my Dad is very happy with it. Cheers

[@AllenHart999]

Any issues you have my number. Many thanks.

[@dazscrivo]

Allen Hart cheers mate. Where abouts did the filter end up moving to mate? Is it next to tank now? I've not been back to house yet but I'm intrigued I know you said putting on the return somewhere.

[@AllenHart999]

Its on the return . in the kitchen, Your dad said it was fine there and could be boxed in, Not really the best place but the boiler had been installed too high so it wouldnt fit in.

[@mikedowland9949]

Wow never seen a system that full of sludge! Good job, do like the use of mapress fittings too in tight corners👌

[@DGordyy]

I guess using the power flush dumping/adding fresh water function, you can be sure to flush out all chemical cleaner before adding inhibitor. To often do we see chemical cleaner still present in heating systems where people have magna cleansed and not bothered to drain/flush system of cleaner properly after. Great work

[@AllenHart999]

Yes we flush until we get all the chemicals out and as much of the sludge as possible, we also fitted an omega filter on return at boiler. Thanks for watching 👍

[@alexperry3861]

Brilliant video Allen showing what improvements are done with good workman and tools.alex

[@AllenHart999]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@Moocow9991703]

Thanks Allen for the idea of swapping over the hose connection from my magnacleanse and my new nostrom power flushing machine (bought direct from Dan) I'm excited to use them both for the first time on a job Tuesday, its a filthy system and its never worked well so that should be fun.

[@ChristianBHough]

I bought a magnacleanse a couple of months ago. Not used it yet, but looking forward to having a play with it.

[@AllenHart999]

Have you used it yet? Thanks.

[@aarongregory9060]

Awesome cheers Allen, excellent videos and exactly what I needed to watch to make my mind up to purchase a power flush next

[@joncoke8208]

Great video again alan art, nice to see a proper tradesman

[@DICKTURPIN1976]

Very impressive mate. Its clear to see you know every aspect in the game very well indeed!(watched quite a few of your vids over years) normally every time I'm searching for tips on DIY plumbing work in my house. Today's pipe dream: What's involved changing a gravity fed system removing the big water tank in the loft to one day turn it into another room. Is it a major job in your opinion? Expensive? It's nothing I'm doing anytime soon by the way but would be nice to have an idea on cost etc. Cheers.

[@paullefur6213]

Love the olive puiller Allen !!

[@evelyn367]

yes alan really useful mate thanks watched this a couple of times just going to buy power flush also magna clean

[@AllenHart999]

Thank you for taking the time to watch my video.

[@syncrosimon]

What an easy system to work on. Bonus👍👍

[@themadhatter4761]

Great video, really informative thanks for taking the time to make these videos. 👍👍👍

[@AllenHart999]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@Chris-vc6bn]

OMG that’s amazing how was that boiler working great work Alan 👍👍👍👍

[@AllenHart999]

Amazing

[@benfrost8697]

agitator is the way Allen. But wear a mask cos the dust and shit that comes from a rad is amazing!

[@paullefur6213]

Great video, the amount of sludge was horrid, great job matey !!

[@danielpascal181]

Very very god video ..... many thanks👍

[@RanjitSingh-yz8wt]

Hi Allen, could you do a little demo or review on your thermal imaging cameras. You mentioned you have both the seek and flir. I've managed to put my back out hanging some double rads. Your videos are very interesting, stay blessed always.

[@AllenHart999]

I am sure i did one in the past, i will have a look. Thanks.

[@martinwarner1178]

Great video, my question is, whilst you are flushing the system, how do you isolate the header tank, so water does not flood the loft, while the power flush is working? Peace brother.

[@AllenHart999]

Cut pipes and put stop ends on. Thanks.

[@leeedwards3783]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. I have the norstrom and the magnacleanse. Would you be able to tell me how you adapted them to fit each other

[@worldofparker]

thanks Allen, it was of use. When would you powerflush and when would you take off the rad and stick a hose on the end in the garden. Are they doing the same job in different ways?

[@AllenHart999]

There are lots of different ways to flush systems, I try and show as many as possible and then people can make their own mind up. Thanks

[@davidpeters2905]

wow great video i really enjoyed it, in the grand scheme of things Allen how does this one rate in your experience of blocked systems

[@AllenHart999]

This was a fairly bad one tbh, Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@dipdab530]

Monument power💪 and with an impact drill, now messing

[@AllenHart999]

Great tool. Thanks for watching.

[@berkayultraslan1]

Great video mate keep it up but one question could you not of capped the expansion pipe in the loft just before the header tank ??

[@AllenHart999]

I could but i used it to connect hose and clean header tank, we all do things our own ways. Thanks.

[@ibysplumbingvideos9684]

Good job mate

[@AllenHart999]

Thank you for watching

[@nikolapetrov966]

Hi Allen. Do you use a rubber mallet or a SDS drill attachment on the radiators, to aid braking down the sludge from the wall of the radiators? Or what method do you use if any? Thank you, very helpful information as always!

[@lau123rence]

Hi Alan, great video as always 👍, I have a quick question would you consider using the norstrom with the built in magmaster or is there a draw back to not having a separate magnetic filter??? Just about to purchase one and do not want to make the wrong decision. Your advice would be greatly appreciated

[@dannywilkins887]

good vid alan

[@AllenHart999]

danny wilkins Thank You

[@Connor-ts8mk]

Alan did you know the feed was blocked before you cut it or did you thank your lucky stars when you realized 👀😂

[@AllenHart999]

I cannot remember now TBH Thanks.

[@steveincork3669]

Great video Alan. Maybe I missed something but when you turned on the boiler to heat the system up did you rejoin the open vent/cold feed pipe.?

[@AllenHart999]

Yes. Thanks.

[@SuperWayneyb]

That Magnaclean s definitely dragged a lot of crap out 👍🤓👍

[@AllenHart999]

This system was very bad indeed, i couldnt of done it in the day without the magnacleanse. Thanks for watching.

[@bscott77]

Really good job Allen, typically what would the cost of this kind of job be?

[@AllenHart999]

Really depends on the job, I dont really want to get involved with prices on here. Thank you for watching.

[@DICKTURPIN1976]

Hi mate I have an issue with the pump on this video. Its a grundfos alpha 2. Its showing no lights at all on the pump. Tried giving it a a light knock with a hammer to see if it kick starts it up, but no joy. Tried pressing buttons on it and the thing seems dead. Is there any other reasons why this thing wouldn't be lighting up? Or does it in fact need replacing? Radiators are cold by the way. Cheers. My central heating giving me major grief lately!

[@b1h2u3p4]

Hi Allen can you send me a rough sketch on how to connect up got the same setup as yourself want to use powerflush with magnaclense.

[@andideda7358]

Hi Allen Hart, thank you for your videos. I'm just wondering, when you're dumping water out, do you have the return valve off or do they both stay open flow and return? Thanks

[@AllenHart999]

i dump while filling. The flow and Return are turned on.

[@andideda7358]

@@AllenHart999 thank you

[@paveltrakys1535]

How much you charge for you services for 12 radiators heat only boiler. thank you.

[@theetheeyog9878]

Hi pal how much is that power flush machine Also have you tried the powderflush

[@sohailm6]

I tried a power flush on my system which is open vented. I found that the stopper I put on the header tank was being pressurised. The power flush machine was on the radiator tails so could be because the return flow was restricted causing the system to pressurise

[@babu7141]

Hi Allen, how effect is leaving a chemical in the system for a week such as Fernox F5 compared to power flushing? Also, someone advised me that too much cleaner in the system might damage my boiler, do you agree? A bit of background, I have been having an issue with my system not being able to heat both upstairs and downstairs at the same time. And actually, when I heat just downstairs it has trouble heating up the furthest two radiators despite rebalancing the system. A plumber came and advised using a cleaner - I used Fernox F3 and left it in the system for 5 days as well as cleaned out the downstairs radiators with a hosepipe but that didn't work. Another plumber advised that I should have used a stronger solution and recommended Fernox F5 to be left in the system for a week. Am I wasting my time doing that?

[@kennethhogan9115]

Hi Allen, just wondering have you ever had any issues after a powerflush such as leaking radiators or pipework thanks

[@evelyn367]

good call Alan , how do you find your pipe press tool is it cost effective ? thanks again

[@y2k42y2k42]

How do you know a flue is open flued or room sealed ? Is it by the number of testing points

[@SuperWayneyb]

Do you get the customer to agree to new valves if they look a bit dodgy Allen?

[@AllenHart999]

I normally offer fixed price, I would change for free. Maybe advise on changing others. Thanks.

[@michaelcorns2936]

Hi Allan does the system expand into the powerflush when heating up and flushing the same time?

[@zir786]

does magnacleanse flush only work providing you have a working boiler for heating? as im replacing my faulty boiler and would like to flush the system before fitting a new one.

[@AllenHart999]

yes you need the boiler to be working.

[@manjsingh6500]

😊👍

[@foryourlugsonly]

How did you connect the snap locks direct onto the magnacleanse?

[@andyt9237]

How do you stop the flushed water going into the cylinder ?

[@lordjohn9191]

still dont know why you are using the olive pullers when you have the olive cutter, or dont you have the 22mm one.

[@AllenHart999]

I have both, they are both great tools.

[@MDO-nq4bx]

I have not had my radiators cleansed to good 10 years. My rads are heating up but it's fairly slow. Which is worth it, or more value for money ,to have a power and main flush on my heating system or just change to new 7 rads? Really need you help on this?

[@benwilliams3901]

If you change rads it won’t clean the system or pipes. The new rads will just get sludged up.

[@jsmid]

Does it matter that you put the Magna cleanse on the flow instead of the return?

[@AllenHart999]

It would be better on the return

[@naynayplusvivi8308]

Hi Allen. I have subscribed and interested in joining. Is it possible to get one to one advice over the phone (for a fee obviously)?

[@TheTheblackpanda]

How do you go about pricing a job like that? With alteration of pipe work too?

[@AllenHart999]

We give a quote per rad when we do a flush, Any other work would need to be quoted for,

[@TheTheblackpanda]

So per rad you charge for the flush? Any chance you could post some unvented cylinder videos

[@todd178]

At 2:20 where did you get the camlock adaptors?

[@davejones4740]

How do you know how to do pipe size for radiator pipes. Some pipes are 15mm some 22mm and others 28mm. Why can’t you just use 15mm for the whole heating system

[@timhancock6626]

That's why you go to college to do an NVQ as you will tie your brain in knots doing pipe sizing and flow calculations 👍 It all in any reputable book on plumbing if you can't go to/ afford college. Then you forget most of it 🤔😉

[@user-yx7dp2pl8t]

0:50 filtered after it’s been through the boiler?

[@seanwindle7420]

hi alan where did u get the olive puller?? looks the job especially able to go on impact drill

[@AllenHart999]

www.screwfix.com/p/monument-tools-olive-puller-15mm-22mm/88681?kpid=88681&ds_kid=39700054949725738&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1244066&gclid=CjwKCAiAp4KCBhB6EiwAxRxbpOe2tW2TMR5VW3mOWc84ngk6mg2LsRp_eynYOxtO41obQkoR8TfAyBoCxokQAvD_BwE

[@mrcharming5053]

Whats the rules in hiring this kit and doing it DIY re Gas Safe.

[@shaunny0963]

Any news on the fittings for the magnacleanse to fernox tf1 adaptor

[@AllenHart999]

Plumb Center sell them, 👍

[@shaunny0963]

@@AllenHart999 cheers, great videos , 👍

[@shannonj1000]

Hi mate great video as normal, very informative, just got a powerflush, but doesn’t have all connections.. do you have an email I can send pics to see if you can help to what I need.. cheers..

[@megaman1806]

7:32 Oh my goodness! That's some seriously sludge man

[@LC-qi5ff]

Seeing all that sludge felt so satisfying

[@AllenHart999]

cchleeds.co.uk/services/power-flushing