Power Flushing Services in Medway
If your radiators have cold spots, your boiler makes banging noises, or your central heating takes far too long to warm your home, the most likely cause is sludge. Over time, rust, limescale, and iron oxide build up inside your radiators and pipework, restricting the flow of hot water and forcing your boiler to work harder.
What Is a Power Flush?
A power flush is a thorough cleanse of your central heating system using a high-flow, low-pressure pumping unit. The machine connects to your heating system and circulates water mixed with specialist cleaning chemicals at a much higher flow rate than your central heating pump can produce. This dislodges and removes the sludge, rust particles, and limescale that have accumulated inside your radiators, pipework, and boiler heat exchanger.
The process uses a combination of:
- Cleaning chemicals (such as Fernox or Sentinel products) that break down rust deposits and loosen sludge from the internal surfaces of radiators and pipes.
- High-flow circulation that pushes the loosened debris out of the system and into the power flushing unit, where it is captured by a filter.
- Individual radiator flushing each radiator is isolated and flushed individually, with the flow reversed to dislodge stubborn deposits. The engineer monitors the clarity of the water leaving each radiator until it runs clean.
- System inhibitor once the system is clean, a corrosion inhibitor is added to the water to protect the internal surfaces and prevent future sludge build-up.
- Magnetic filter installation we recommend fitting a magnetic filter (such as a MagnaClean or Fernox TF1) to catch any future debris before it circulates through the system.
Why Does Sludge Build Up?
Central heating systems are closed loops of water circulating through metal components. Over time, the water reacts with the iron in radiators and steel in older pipework, producing iron oxide — a black, mud-like substance commonly called sludge. Hard water areas, which include parts of Medway, also contribute limescale deposits that coat heat exchanger surfaces and reduce boiler efficiency.
If the system was not flushed properly when first installed, or if the corrosion inhibitor has been depleted over the years, sludge builds up faster. Systems that are 10 or more years old without a flush are almost certainly carrying significant deposits.
Signs Your Heating System Needs a Power Flush
Not sure whether your system needs a power flush? Here are the warning signs:
- Cold spots on radiators If the bottom half of your radiators stays cold while the top is warm, sludge has settled at the bottom and is blocking the flow of hot water.
- Radiators that take a long time to heat up Restricted flow means it takes longer for hot water to reach every radiator in the system.
- Some radiators stay completely cold Severe blockages can prevent hot water from reaching certain radiators altogether.
- Noisy boiler (banging, kettling, or gurgling) Limescale on the heat exchanger causes localised overheating, which produces a kettling noise similar to a kettle boiling.
- Boiler keeps locking out Restricted flow through the heat exchanger can cause the boiler to overheat and trigger its safety lockout.
- Discoloured water when you bleed radiators If the water that comes out when you bleed a radiator is dark brown or black rather than clear, there is sludge in the system.
- Higher energy bills A system clogged with sludge forces the boiler to work harder and burn more gas to produce the same amount of heat.
- Frequent boiler breakdowns Sludge is one of the leading causes of boiler component failure, particularly pump and heat exchanger problems.
Professional Power Flushing
Every power flushing job we carry out is completed to the highest standard by our Gas Safe registered engineers. We take pride in delivering work that is safe, efficient, and built to last — whether it is a straightforward repair or a full installation.
Our team has over 15 years of experience working in homes across Medway, so you can trust us to get the job done right first time.
Our Process
Assessment
Our engineer inspects your heating system, checks radiator temperatures, and assesses the severity of the contamination. We confirm whether a power flush is the right solution — in some cases, individual radiator replacement or other repairs may be more appropriate.
Connection
The power flushing unit is connected to your heating system, usually at the pump location or a radiator tail. Protective sheeting is placed around the work area.
Chemical Clean
Specialist cleaning chemicals are circulated through the system at high flow rates. Each radiator is flushed individually, with the flow direction reversed to shift stubborn deposits. The engineer monitors the water clarity throughout.
Rinse and Protect
Once the water from every radiator runs clear, the system is rinsed with fresh water to remove all traces of cleaning chemicals. A corrosion inhibitor is then added to protect the system going forward.
Final Checks
The system is refilled, pressurised, and tested. All radiators are bled and balanced. We confirm that every radiator is heating evenly from top to bottom and that the boiler is running quietly and efficiently.
Quality Workmanship, Every Time
Gas Safe registered engineers across Medway
Why Choose Advance Medway
Professional Equipment
We use commercial-grade power flushing machines that deliver the flow rates needed to properly clean a domestic heating system. This is not something that can be replicated with a standard garden hose or a basic pump.
Thorough Approach
Every radiator is flushed individually until the water runs clear. We do not move on until the system is properly clean.
Gas Safe Registered
Our engineers are Gas Safe registered, which means they can safely disconnect and reconnect your boiler as part of the process.
Inhibitor and Filter
Every power flush includes the addition of a corrosion inhibitor. We also recommend and can fit a magnetic system filter to protect your boiler and extend the benefits of the clean.
Local to Medway
We are based in Medway and carry out power flushing across every town in the area. We know the local water conditions and the common issues they cause in heating systems.
Pricing Guidance
Power flushing costs depend on the number of radiators in your system and the severity of the contamination.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 6 radiators | £350 – £450 |
| 7 to 10 radiators | £450 – £550 |
| 11 to 15 radiators | £550 – £700 |
| Magnetic filter (MagnaClean or equivalent), fitted | £120 – £180 additional |
These are guide prices. We assess the system before starting and provide a confirmed price. If during the assessment we find that a power flush is not the best solution (for example, if a radiator is too corroded to flush), we will tell you and recommend the right course of action instead.
Covering the Entire Medway Area
From Chatham and Rochester to Gillingham, Strood, and Rainham, our engineers provide power flushing across every Medway town. We cover postcodes ME1 through ME8, so wherever you are in the area, help is never far away.
Ready to book? Call us on 01634 979 595 for a free, no-obligation quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Areas We Cover
We provide power flushing across the entire Medway area. Covering postcodes ME1 through ME8.
Book a Power Flush
If your central heating is not performing as it should, a power flush could be the solution. Call Advance Medway for an assessment and quote.