Powerflushing is a fairly straightforward process of cleaning central heating system and boilers. It is a great way of removing rust, sludge and limescale.

However, if attempted by someone who does not know what they are doing you could end with with ruined radiators, blocked pipework or even a knackered boiler and that would be the worst scenario!

If you have a central heating system that has a condensing boiler or microbore pipework (8mm or 10mm in diameter into the radiators) you MUST make sure that the company you employ really knows what they are doing.

Here are ten tips to guarantee a great result:-

1/ Firstly, always phone and speak to the business owner. He/she should ask you questions like what boiler do you have, how many radiators do you have, where do you live and what size pipework do you have going into the radiators?

2/ Always check that they have public liability insurance – because any professional firm will.

3/ Ask for the names and phone numbers of their three most recent customers. And always ring at least two of them.

4/ When you check on the references the company gives you ask the following; were the employees polite and hardworking, did they know what they were doing, did they wear protective footwear and, most importantly, did they solve your problem?

5/ Make sure that they offer a guarantee. These days a two year guarantee is a good benchmark. Some companies will offer a five year guarantee if you have ‘Magnaclean’ fitted. This a magnetic filter that will stop most sludge and or rust coming into your boiler when fitted in the right place I,e, on the return pipework directly next to the boiler. However, unless you have a VERY dirty system and a modern condensing boiler putting one in might be a waste of your money.

6/ Be aware that British Gas say they give you a lifetime or a ten year guarantee (it depends who you talk to on the phone). But, their definition of lifetime seems to be ‘for the lifetime of your monthly payment to us.’

On the day….

7/ They should be friendly and confident about what they are doing.

8/ They should start the system (unless your boiler is completely out of action) and check each radiator to what kind of heat is getting in before they start.

9/ If you have an open-vented system (in most cases that means that you have a hot water cylinder and not a combination boiler) Make sure that the person doing the job goes up into the attic and cleans out the feed and expansion tank.

10/ Finally, when they finish work they should explain what has been done and either hand you your report of findings there and then or confirm that your report and guarantee will follow by post.