Like any other major appliance, your boiler heating system must be properly maintained to function optimally. Over time, it’s common for sludge to build up at the bottom of a boiler tank, compromising its reliability and overall performance. Draining the water from the system and “flushing it” can help eliminate this sludge buildup and keep your boiler working to the best of its ability. Here, we’ll cover the steps necessary to drain your boiler and perform a center heating flush.
Wondering how to clean a boiler system? Here’s what you need to know:
Step 1: Drain the Tank
Start with a quick flush. To do this, simply drain any existing water from the boiler. This should remove any sediment that’s sitting at the bottom of the tank. A flush is performed by connecting a garden hose to the drain valve on the tank. Keeping the boiler on, open the drain valve for a few seconds and let the pressure push out any sediment. If there appears to be a significant amount of sediment drainage, consider repeating this step a few times.
Step 2: Shut Your System Off
Next, shut your system down by turning off either the gas or the power to the unit. Then, shut off the water. Make sure the pipes cool down before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Open the Drain Valve and Flush the Tank
Next, you’ll want to hook up a hose to the drain valve again and release the boiler tank’s vacuum. Do this by allowing air into the tank to help push water out of the drain. From here, the tank should be flushed out in increments to take care of any excess central heating sludge build-up. Do this by allowing a bit of into the tank water at a time and letting it completely drain out.
Step 4: Refill the Tank
After the boiler has been drained and adequately flushed, it can then be refilled. Disconnect the drain hose and turn the valve to the off position. From here, you can turn the water back on. Turn on the hot faucet and leave it running until all the air has exited the lines.
Other Considerations
There are a few other considerations that may be worth implementing. For instance, you may elect to use a cleaning agent, such as trisodium phosphate. However, you’ll have to be sure the boiler stays at a certain temperature before draining and that it’s properly flushed. It’s necessary to eliminate the cleaning solution so it doesn’t circulate through the heating system.
Wondering how often should you flush a boiler? Some say it should be done at least once every five years, while others maintain that it should be done annually. Have your water tested to see its mineral composition to judge how often you should be flushing it.
It is also important to check for other issues regularly. Problems such as leaks, a dirty heat exchanger, and strange noises or vibrations can all signal there is damage within the boiler. The best way to keep it running well is to regularly inspect it and perform maintenance accordingly.
For more information on how to keep your systems functioning optimally with the proper maintenance, contact Rema LLC.