How to flush a central heating system at home

It’s usually recommended that you flush your central heating system every 4-5 years. If you think you’re approaching the time to flush your central heating system, it can sometimes feel like an intimidating task. However, it’s actually quite straightforward if you follow the right steps. In this post, we explain the process of flushing central heating safely.

When do I need to flush my central heating system?

Flushing the central heating system in your home can benefit the heating efficiency of the property. The process is designed to remove any sludge, debris, and contaminants that might have built up in the system over time. These need to be flushed because they can cause blockages, which in turn can lead to reduced efficiency, cold spots on radiators, and potential damage to the boiler. All of these outcomes will result in an increased gas bill and other additional costs associated with heating your home.

Process of flushing a central heating system at home

First, let’s check off what tools you’ll need before you can set about flushing the central heating system. This includes:

• Bucket.
• Hose.
• Water pump or cleaning machine.
• Spanners and screwdrivers.
• Central heating inhibitor.

The procedure for flushing the house central heating system is then as follows:

1. Turn off the system: go to the boiler and switch it off, then wait at least two hours for the water in the system to cool.
2. Find and close valves: close off the valves that lead to the radiators and hot water outlets.
3. Connect your flush kit: use the hose to connect the pump to the central heating system. It may be necessary to examine the manufacturer manual to see how to do for the system you have.
4. Open the bleed valves: open the bleed valves on all radiators.
5. Switch the pump on: this will start the flow of water around the system, which should dislodge any debris. It’s best to reverse the direction of the flow to help flush out blockages. At this stage, an inhibitor can be added to the water to help prevent the build up of sludge and corrosion in the future.
6. Draining the central heating system: once the water coming out of the system appears clear, any remaining water in the system can be drained into the bucket and discarded.
7. Re-pressurise the system and restart the boiler: re-pressurise the boiler and heating system by checking it has returned to between 1 and 1.5 bars of pressure.

It should be noted however that none of the above should be attempted without proper preparations and safety precautions. If you’re in doubt, you should always contact a gas safe engineer to flush the system for you.

Experts in heating and boiler repair

While flushing a central heating system is a great way to maintain efficient heating in your home, it can also allow you to check for leaks and other damage. National Boiler Spares supply a wide range of new and refurbished boiler parts to keep your central heating working. We also offer high quality kits to help you conduct home maintenance. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any more questions.