ChatterBank1 min ago
Central Heating.
13 Answers
I have recently had to have a new boiler fitted to our 30 year old central heating system.
The installers (Corgi registered) said there would be a flushing but not high pressure flushing as they have experienced leakage problems using that process in the past.
Manufacturer's book says it is ESSENTIAL (bold capitals)that flushing takes place before installing new boiler.
The 'Benchmark book' says it has been flushed in accordance with manufacturers instructions.
It transpires that the system has been drained but sadly it hasn't been flushed!
What is the best way to 'flush' the central heating system?
Thanking youy for your kind assistance.
The installers (Corgi registered) said there would be a flushing but not high pressure flushing as they have experienced leakage problems using that process in the past.
Manufacturer's book says it is ESSENTIAL (bold capitals)that flushing takes place before installing new boiler.
The 'Benchmark book' says it has been flushed in accordance with manufacturers instructions.
It transpires that the system has been drained but sadly it hasn't been flushed!
What is the best way to 'flush' the central heating system?
Thanking youy for your kind assistance.
Answers
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They were right on the power flushing it can cause all sorts of problems in old systems and should only be done to rectify a stuburn clogged up system as a last resort.
But they should have cleansed the system flushed it out twice then filled it up and put in an inhibitor in aswell. If you are going to do this your self make sure you do the above or the warrenty will be void. Click on this link to see how to do it. :o)
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Home-and-Garden /Question319032.html
But they should have cleansed the system flushed it out twice then filled it up and put in an inhibitor in aswell. If you are going to do this your self make sure you do the above or the warrenty will be void. Click on this link to see how to do it. :o)
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Home-and-Garden /Question319032.html
Dear Gasman,
Thank you Gasman for your prompt advices.
When the new boiler was started the installers said there was air in system and they adjusted vents etc. when the radiator heat was inconsistent and fluctuating they said it was because the system was 30 years old.
It was at this time it became apparent they had not flushed system - they say they fit maganclean (charged for of course) instead of flushing. Is this standard practice?
They then added sludge remover saying they would come back in a fortnight to remove it as after this period it starts to corrode. They were going to ring the next day to say what time they would be back in two weeks time - it has now been over 48 hours and they have failed to ring or to return my calls.
What concerns me is that the fortnight will be up immediately prior to Christmas and if the corrosion factor begins after two weeks by that time it will be too late.
Is this sort of thing normal?
Could you also please be so good as to advise whether it is standard practice to leave the old boiler against the customer's house with carton full of debris without any mention?
You can imagine we are somewhat concerned at the present state of affairs.
Thank you in anticipation of any assistance you can offer.
Appreciative
Thank you Gasman for your prompt advices.
When the new boiler was started the installers said there was air in system and they adjusted vents etc. when the radiator heat was inconsistent and fluctuating they said it was because the system was 30 years old.
It was at this time it became apparent they had not flushed system - they say they fit maganclean (charged for of course) instead of flushing. Is this standard practice?
They then added sludge remover saying they would come back in a fortnight to remove it as after this period it starts to corrode. They were going to ring the next day to say what time they would be back in two weeks time - it has now been over 48 hours and they have failed to ring or to return my calls.
What concerns me is that the fortnight will be up immediately prior to Christmas and if the corrosion factor begins after two weeks by that time it will be too late.
Is this sort of thing normal?
Could you also please be so good as to advise whether it is standard practice to leave the old boiler against the customer's house with carton full of debris without any mention?
You can imagine we are somewhat concerned at the present state of affairs.
Thank you in anticipation of any assistance you can offer.
Appreciative
No this is not standard practise, they should have done the sludge remover and flushed it before the new boiler went in. Crikey it is like they just put a brand new engine in a car and then put the old oil back in it. And unless you have stated that you would dispose of the old appliance then they should never have left it behind with all the accompanying rubish that goes with the installation. Have you paid them for it yet ??? dont tell me this is the work of Helplink by any chance. !!! Also if they have filled out the bench mark book and havent flushed or cleansed the system first then it is not worth the paper it is writen on and has been falsely filled out. It also makes you wonder if anything else has not been done to regulations and correct procedures.You should complain to CORGI as this is the sort of installation that makes me cringe. And the two week senario is bull as well. it need only be in a min of 1hr-48hrs the most. Ijust hope for your sake that they come back asap. otherwise you will end up with a boiler with a very short life span i wouldnt even give it 5 years before major mechanical faiulure.
Many thanks Gasman.
Being the honest reasonable folk (or just downright b. naive!) we paid when asked - cash at that again as requested but even that was not mentioned at start! We had to make special journey to Bank!
I regret that so much believe me - and as I sit here worrying over this they are probably getting ready to go out to enjoy our money - it makes me wild with anger.
Are Helplink the name of installers - if so it wasn't them. Should I name the firm or just tell Corgi who they are?
Their last words as they went out after putting in the sludge remover and taking the money were 'don't worry we'll look after you - I'll ring you after I've seen my Dad to tell you what time we'll be back on 19th'
I haven't heard and they have not answered messages left on answering service!
If push comes to shove I shall have to have a go myself to get the corrosive stuff out and in the meantime do I just contact Corgi via internet? Is it worth contacting Boiler Mfr? For after all they are obviously doing it regularly and they should be stopped somehow. Mind you manufacturers will then void warranties and the consumer loses out again.
Does fitting a Magnaclean equal not flushing system?
They have never mentioned rubbish at all.
Many thanks gasman for your assistance for as you can probably gather I do not have a clue!
Look forward to hearing from you please.
Thanking and kind regards,
Being the honest reasonable folk (or just downright b. naive!) we paid when asked - cash at that again as requested but even that was not mentioned at start! We had to make special journey to Bank!
I regret that so much believe me - and as I sit here worrying over this they are probably getting ready to go out to enjoy our money - it makes me wild with anger.
Are Helplink the name of installers - if so it wasn't them. Should I name the firm or just tell Corgi who they are?
Their last words as they went out after putting in the sludge remover and taking the money were 'don't worry we'll look after you - I'll ring you after I've seen my Dad to tell you what time we'll be back on 19th'
I haven't heard and they have not answered messages left on answering service!
If push comes to shove I shall have to have a go myself to get the corrosive stuff out and in the meantime do I just contact Corgi via internet? Is it worth contacting Boiler Mfr? For after all they are obviously doing it regularly and they should be stopped somehow. Mind you manufacturers will then void warranties and the consumer loses out again.
Does fitting a Magnaclean equal not flushing system?
They have never mentioned rubbish at all.
Many thanks gasman for your assistance for as you can probably gather I do not have a clue!
Look forward to hearing from you please.
Thanking and kind regards,
You say they were CORGI registered did you ask the installer for a look at his CORGI babge or Did the installer show it without you asking. All CORGI registered gas installers carry a photo-ID card that shows the business's CORGI registration number and a unique operative id. If you are unsure whether your installer is registered ask for their number and check it out by calling 0870 401 2300 or this link http://www.trustcorgi.com/consumers.htmx
I should point out that it is the person who fit the boiler has to be registered not just the company who they worked for. It is regretable to point out that a few companies have used their regestration to say they are CORGI regestered and then send an installer who isnt ! to do the work !!! So you should check the company and its operatives ID who fit the boiler for regestration.
Let me know the out come and i may be able to help you further.
I should point out that it is the person who fit the boiler has to be registered not just the company who they worked for. It is regretable to point out that a few companies have used their regestration to say they are CORGI regestered and then send an installer who isnt ! to do the work !!! So you should check the company and its operatives ID who fit the boiler for regestration.
Let me know the out come and i may be able to help you further.
Thank you for your interest.
They didn't show me anything such as a badge but they have Corgi number and logo on their card etc.
Whether the lads who fitted the boiler are Corgi registered or just the senior guy I do not know. They are on Corgi site.
Do the names have to be registered individually under the number because it just states the firm's name on Corgi site.
Any help you can give would be most appreciative. To make matters worse it looks as though when we had a conservatory built some years ago the workers who did that cemented over the drain tap for the system!!
It never rains but it popurs - my Norton Internet Security 2007 is playing up now saying it has expired!!!
What a wonderful life.
Many thanks and kindest regards,
They didn't show me anything such as a badge but they have Corgi number and logo on their card etc.
Whether the lads who fitted the boiler are Corgi registered or just the senior guy I do not know. They are on Corgi site.
Do the names have to be registered individually under the number because it just states the firm's name on Corgi site.
Any help you can give would be most appreciative. To make matters worse it looks as though when we had a conservatory built some years ago the workers who did that cemented over the drain tap for the system!!
It never rains but it popurs - my Norton Internet Security 2007 is playing up now saying it has expired!!!
What a wonderful life.
Many thanks and kindest regards,
I just put my GORGI number in the search box (1st time i checked myself out ) lol. And it just came up as a registered company and did not list the operatives. So i then put in my own unique operative id. ( the card serial No. ) displayed at the bottom of my card, and it then confirmed i was registered under my company name . It stated my name and the company name aswell.
So you need to input the serial number of the person who installed your boiler. It will be on the CORGI id card, or if you never seen his card then it is on the CORGI certificate you recieved from them. It will be interesting to see if the person who installed it is listed ???
http://www.trustcorgi.com/consumer/CORGIIDCard .htmx
If you havent got the card serial number of the installer then ring the company again and leave a message stating that you would like it for your records. If they havent got anything to hide they will gladley give you it. Also state that you intend to contact CORGI about the installation aswell. Then you can check that this matches the name of the installer who did or didnt carry out you're work. to the name of the person who's number they give you. If they still Ignore you it is time to get in touch with CORGI to voice you're concerns. and ask for an inspection. This will not cost you anything.
So you need to input the serial number of the person who installed your boiler. It will be on the CORGI id card, or if you never seen his card then it is on the CORGI certificate you recieved from them. It will be interesting to see if the person who installed it is listed ???
http://www.trustcorgi.com/consumer/CORGIIDCard .htmx
If you havent got the card serial number of the installer then ring the company again and leave a message stating that you would like it for your records. If they havent got anything to hide they will gladley give you it. Also state that you intend to contact CORGI about the installation aswell. Then you can check that this matches the name of the installer who did or didnt carry out you're work. to the name of the person who's number they give you. If they still Ignore you it is time to get in touch with CORGI to voice you're concerns. and ask for an inspection. This will not cost you anything.
Dear Gasman,
Thank you very much for your advice.
I have not had a Corgi certificate as such - the mfrs Benchmark Book the senior figure signed (including saying - flushing in accordance with mfrs spec!!) is this the equivilent of certificate? The figure on benchmark is firm's number and comes up on site check.
Having heard nothing to my calls went to see them this morning. The senior figure says that the flushing part of the mfr book is out of date and will be excluded 1st January . I pointed out that the word essential (referring to flushing) in bold capitals and he said "Trust me - it is out of date" To me draining is flushing the system - I said that I didn't know anything about heating but even I knew there was a difference between flushing and draining.
When I mentioned the sludge remover should be fetched out he said "The stuff we put in the system will not do any harm - it is meant to be in for anything up to twenty-eight days"
I said it should be in for hours not days and he said "You have been talking to the wrong people and reading the wrong books!) I'll come the Thursday before Christmas and clean the magnaclean and then again after Christmas.
I pointed out that the boiler and one radiator was brand new. He said "Trust me!"
I found in the carton of debris an addendum sheet that should have been placed inside handbook (!!) that states 'before fitting new boiler ensure there is a drain tap' This wasn't done.
Is it worth contacting Corgi because the firm seem happy to tell me " Trust me? Presumably he wouldn't be able to classify Corgi as 'talking to wrong people or reading the wrong books'.
Many thanks gasman for your help and advices but above all your interest in helping folk generally, I just cannot understand folk who work like the people we have ended up with.
Kindest regards,
Thank you very much for your advice.
I have not had a Corgi certificate as such - the mfrs Benchmark Book the senior figure signed (including saying - flushing in accordance with mfrs spec!!) is this the equivilent of certificate? The figure on benchmark is firm's number and comes up on site check.
Having heard nothing to my calls went to see them this morning. The senior figure says that the flushing part of the mfr book is out of date and will be excluded 1st January . I pointed out that the word essential (referring to flushing) in bold capitals and he said "Trust me - it is out of date" To me draining is flushing the system - I said that I didn't know anything about heating but even I knew there was a difference between flushing and draining.
When I mentioned the sludge remover should be fetched out he said "The stuff we put in the system will not do any harm - it is meant to be in for anything up to twenty-eight days"
I said it should be in for hours not days and he said "You have been talking to the wrong people and reading the wrong books!) I'll come the Thursday before Christmas and clean the magnaclean and then again after Christmas.
I pointed out that the boiler and one radiator was brand new. He said "Trust me!"
I found in the carton of debris an addendum sheet that should have been placed inside handbook (!!) that states 'before fitting new boiler ensure there is a drain tap' This wasn't done.
Is it worth contacting Corgi because the firm seem happy to tell me " Trust me? Presumably he wouldn't be able to classify Corgi as 'talking to wrong people or reading the wrong books'.
Many thanks gasman for your help and advices but above all your interest in helping folk generally, I just cannot understand folk who work like the people we have ended up with.
Kindest regards,
It is news to me that flushing is no longer required and i would certainly know if it was. So bull Sh1t No. 1. Draining a system is by no means flushing it through so Bull sh1t No. 2.
And just so as you know in case you did'nt the log book is not the same as a certificate. And by law your new boiler has to be registered an you should recieve a certificate from Corgi who will also notify the building regs guys of the installation so you get a certificate.
My advice to you now would be to leave it as it is for now as i do not know what type of chemicals he has used and just so long as he comes back, drains it all out & flushes it through, and puts an inhibitor in to give long term protection. then you may be OK. ( although it is doing things the wrong way round mind ). He has to register your boiler within ten days of installation. And if he never gave you a certificate then you should recieve one through the post within 1 month. If you do not then tell corgi of the work he has done and that you have not had a certificate through.
good luck.
And just so as you know in case you did'nt the log book is not the same as a certificate. And by law your new boiler has to be registered an you should recieve a certificate from Corgi who will also notify the building regs guys of the installation so you get a certificate.
My advice to you now would be to leave it as it is for now as i do not know what type of chemicals he has used and just so long as he comes back, drains it all out & flushes it through, and puts an inhibitor in to give long term protection. then you may be OK. ( although it is doing things the wrong way round mind ). He has to register your boiler within ten days of installation. And if he never gave you a certificate then you should recieve one through the post within 1 month. If you do not then tell corgi of the work he has done and that you have not had a certificate through.
good luck.
Hi Gasman,
Many thanks for your help and advices - probably like the majority of the population I had no idea about certificates etc.
I will leave it as you say and see what happens - the old maxim sadder but wiser applies I suppose!
However I would like to express our sincere thanks for your help and assistance.
Hoping you and yours have a wonderful Christmastide and a very happy and healthy 2007.
Kindest regards,
Many thanks for your help and advices - probably like the majority of the population I had no idea about certificates etc.
I will leave it as you say and see what happens - the old maxim sadder but wiser applies I suppose!
However I would like to express our sincere thanks for your help and assistance.
Hoping you and yours have a wonderful Christmastide and a very happy and healthy 2007.
Kindest regards,
Hi Gasman,
They did call on Thursday and cleaned the magnaclean out and said they will call again after New Year to have another look.
Haven't mentioned certificate mind.
Sorry for delay gasman - have been away from home for a few days.
I will let you know how it goes.
Have a wonderful Christmastide and sincere thanks for your interest.
Regards,
They did call on Thursday and cleaned the magnaclean out and said they will call again after New Year to have another look.
Haven't mentioned certificate mind.
Sorry for delay gasman - have been away from home for a few days.
I will let you know how it goes.
Have a wonderful Christmastide and sincere thanks for your interest.
Regards,
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