What is the Heatable Proflush? And how does it ensure your central heating is performing as efficiently as possible?
Your boiler is hard at work supplying your home with both heating and hot water and all that work, over time, can take its toll.
As mechanical pieces of equipment that are used daily, boilers need maintenance and servicing not only to ensure safety but also to help prevent expensive repairs and maximise efficiency.
But did you know that the majority of boiler warranties stipulate the requirement of annual service to maintain their validity?
Although cleaning your heating system (including the boiler) using a proflush is not an essential part of this process, it's highly recommended.
In this guide, we will explain exactly what the Heatable proflush is and how it compares to a chemical flush and a power flush.
What Is A Proflush (Magnacleanse)?
As the name suggests a proflush, also referred to as a magnacleanse is a type of heating system cleaning method, which utilises a combination of both moderate pressure and chemicals to remove dirt and debris.
To be more specific, a proflush works to remove even the most stubborn residues and magnetites.
In fact, it can remove more sludge within 20 seconds than can be extracted within 30 minutes without it.
If not removed, this dirt and debris can build up in the system leading to the development of sludge - a leading cause of radiator cold spots, as well as the development of corrosion - a leading cause of boiler breakdowns.
How Does A Proflush Work?
As mentioned, the goal of a pro flush is to catch and remove deposits of iron oxide sludge, rust and any other magnetic debris from the system, which includes radiators and pipework.
It can also help any system with circulation problems or boiler noises caused by dirty water and corrosion deposits.
The pro flush system can be fitted to any high-pressurised central heating system - but it's worth noting that the process is quicker if you have an existing Magnaclean filter already installed.
Once connected to the heating system, the proflush uses the normal working pressure of the boiler's pump, together with the high temperature of the hot water to help dislodge and remove dirt and debris.
The proflush also contains a combination of high-strength cleaning chemicals called MC1 and MC3 chemicals:
MC1 - Central Heating System Protector - a protector that prevents both system corrosion and limescale deposition.
MC3 - Central Heating Cleaner - a cleaner that removes sludge, debris and scale.
The engineer will also use a VibraClean tool for 15-20 seconds on each radiator, which will also help to further release any debris.
Once the water starts to run clear, this indicates that the cleaning process is complete and the heating engineer will disconnect the proflush equipment.
After the process has been completed, the engineer may add a rust inhibitor and repressurise the system.
At Heatable, we also do a ProCheck water test afterwards. This allows us to test the water quality of the system.
More specifically, the ProCheck tests the inhibitor, corrosion and pH levels of the system.
What Is A MagnaCleanse Filter?
A Magnacleanse filter can also be installed onto your system to provide long-term protection.
This magnetic filter continually helps to collect sludge and debris as water flows through your system.
Remember, a MagnaCleanse or Proflush is a superior type of flushing designed to maintain and protect all domestic central heating systems from the damaging effects of iron oxide sludge.
However, with a MagnaClean filter not only does it clean the system, it provides continual protection for the boiler after the installation.
Proflush vs Powerflush
What is the difference between a proflush and powerflush?
Both aim to clean your central heating system and remove deposits and debris like iron oxide.
However, a power flush uses a pump which is above the normal working pressure of the boiler and system, while a proflush uses the boiler pump so there is no risk of burst pipes as the pressure is not above normal.
As a result, a power flush may not be advised for use with an older heating system, which may not be able to tolerate such high pressures.
Related reading:
How does a power flush work?
First, an engineer will do a visual check of your heating system to make sure it can take the punishment of a power flush.
Then, your heating system will be hooked up to an external incredibly powerful pump, similar to a Hadron Collider (ish).
If you have a combi boiler, they will attach the pump via the pump head, but if you have a system boiler, it will be attached via the circulation pump.
The pump will then deliver a toxic blend of chemicals into your system under so much pressure, that only a single mother under a conservative Government could relate.
The cocktail of chemicals used includes a descaler to help remove limescale, a corrosion inhibitor to help prevent the formation of rust and a specific chemical to help dislodge rust and remove sludge or crud.
Sounds complicated, how long does it take? A power flush typically takes around a day to complete, but the exact time in hours can vary depending on how large your heating system is e.g. the number of radiators in your property, as well as the severity of the water contamination.
And don't worry, the powerflush includes a complete boiler power flush as well as the radiators and associated pipework.
How much does a pro flush cost?
The cost of a pro flush largely cost depends on the size of your home and your heating system.
For example, if you have more radiators than average, it means that more bottles of cleaning chemicals may be required. It may also take longer and so may also increase the labour costs.
On average, most households find that they pay between £350-£400 for a pro flush, but if your engineer discovers any problems that need to be fixed along the way, you should be prepared to pay for the cost of repairs, additional labour and the replacement parts.
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