25 Avon Close Bradford on AvonBA15 1JJ
Telephone: 01225-869036, or (m) 07971-270064
Email: ian@pritchard-heating.co.uk
Telephone: 01225-869036, or (m) 07971-270064
Email: ian@pritchard-heating.co.uk
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I give the strongest guarantees in the country. No other plumber dares to offer a guarantee like mine. Not even British Gas.
If you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord, you may be eligible for a grant of up to £300 for powerflushing under the Warm Front Scheme.
Symptoms & Solutions
Symptoms that say "You probably need a powerflush"...
Cold spots on radiators
If most of a radiator gets hot (especiall the top) and the bottom doesn’t you have rust and sludge problems. Sometimes you get a ‘camel-hump’ cold patch spreading outwards from the middle of the radiator. Or it could be that they get warm, but not hot; or that they take a long time to warm up.
Boiler or pump noise or failure
1. If your boiler is starting to sound like a kettle heating you most likely have what is called, appropriately, ‘kettling’. This can be caused by uneven ridges of limescale within the heat exchanger. It can also be caused by a restricted flow out of the boiler due to rust, sludge, limescale and the problems that is causes when allowed to stay in the system.
2. Pops, bangs, clanking pipes and maybe even what sounds like a plane taking off are certain symptoms of a big circulation problem. Usually, in my experience that problem is not within the boiler. It’s a partial blockage in the pipework and/or radiators. And, whether you talk to us or not I strongly urge you to do something about it soon. It ain’t going to go away and if you ignore it then you’re only to get bigger problems in the future.
2. Pops, bangs, clanking pipes and maybe even what sounds like a plane taking off are certain symptoms of a big circulation problem. Usually, in my experience that problem is not within the boiler. It’s a partial blockage in the pipework and/or radiators. And, whether you talk to us or not I strongly urge you to do something about it soon. It ain’t going to go away and if you ignore it then you’re only to get bigger problems in the future.
Sludge or rust in the system
High levels of sludge and rust in the system, if untreated, could lead to problems that require remedial work to pipework, radiators and boilers. Powerflushing is not always the answer, sometimes it’s something simpler. Here are some common signs of a level of dirt that’s too high for your system to cope with.
1. Radiators are slow to heat up. If the whole system is slow to heat up you may have a restriction with the main flow and return pipework.
2. If your system has a hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard, in extreme cases you’ll notice that it takes a long time to get back to temperature after a bath is run.
3. Your boiler comes on for a while, but keeps shutting off again. A sure sign that you have a major problem with water circulation around the system. Not always a sign that you need a powerflush. Please call for advice, which is always free.
4. On or more radiators needs ‘bleeding’ of air regularly. Sometimes comes with the sound or rushing water in the pipework. A dirty system will generate more gas than a clean one. That’s a fact. The gas you let out is probably not air. If it’s a constant problem then it’s likely to be hydrogen. The gas that’s left when the oxygen in the water has oxidized the steel to form rust. You can check for yourself by putting a lighter to the gas. Make sure you move any curtains out of the way. DO NOT DO THIS if you’re cack-handed, have no home insurance or are naturally stupid.
5. System makes peculiar noises. (See above.)
2. If your system has a hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard, in extreme cases you’ll notice that it takes a long time to get back to temperature after a bath is run.
3. Your boiler comes on for a while, but keeps shutting off again. A sure sign that you have a major problem with water circulation around the system. Not always a sign that you need a powerflush. Please call for advice, which is always free.
4. On or more radiators needs ‘bleeding’ of air regularly. Sometimes comes with the sound or rushing water in the pipework. A dirty system will generate more gas than a clean one. That’s a fact. The gas you let out is probably not air. If it’s a constant problem then it’s likely to be hydrogen. The gas that’s left when the oxygen in the water has oxidized the steel to form rust. You can check for yourself by putting a lighter to the gas. Make sure you move any curtains out of the way. DO NOT DO THIS if you’re cack-handed, have no home insurance or are naturally stupid.
5. System makes peculiar noises. (See above.)
Poor or non-existent hot water
This solution to this problem depends upon the type of system you have.
Open Vent or sealed system (with hot water cylinder)
Once you know that the cold supply to the cylinder is good and that the thermostat on the cylinder that controls the heat is ok then a professional would start to look at any possible build up of scale in the cylinder. Sometimes there is so much scale that it takes up a third or more of the cylinder. So you get water at the right temperature but not much of it.
If the water just doesn’t get very hot then your boiler thermostat could be too low or you may need a powerflush.
Call for advice about which problem you have.
If the water just doesn’t get very hot then your boiler thermostat could be too low or you may need a powerflush.
Call for advice about which problem you have.
Combination Boiler
1. If the hot water goes cold or the boiler locks out when the hot taps is on (often when the shower is used). Or, if the water switches between hot and cold then you have a blocked or partially-blocked hot water heat exchanger. Sometimes this can be solved with a standard powerflush. Other times the heat exchanger needs removing and cleaning outside of the boiler. Which requires a CORGI engineer.
2 If the temperature is constant once it’s warmed up but not hot enough the first thing to do is to check that the dial is turned up high enough. If it is then in most cases you have a sensor problem, a diverter valve problem or a build-up of limescale. All of which we can fix for you.
2 If the temperature is constant once it’s warmed up but not hot enough the first thing to do is to check that the dial is turned up high enough. If it is then in most cases you have a sensor problem, a diverter valve problem or a build-up of limescale. All of which we can fix for you.
Partially-pumped or gravity-fed systems
Tend to be older systems and require a non-standard powerflush. The coils in the cylinder that carry the water from the boiler can be cleaned out thoroughly. Don’t let anyone try to tell you that they can’t. I’ve come across that advice from other ‘professionals’ when people have been told that they need to change the pipework and control layout.
How To Get Rid Of Any Of The Above Problems.
Pick up the phone and call us.
You’ll be speaking to a professional , could have a great guarantee and our advice is always free.
Office: 01225-869036
Mobile: 07971-270064
If you get an answerphone message on either number please leave your name and number and we’ll call you back asap.
You’ll be speaking to a professional , could have a great guarantee and our advice is always free.
Office: 01225-869036
Mobile: 07971-270064
If you get an answerphone message on either number please leave your name and number and we’ll call you back asap.
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