Over time, your central heating system at home is likely to see a buildup of rust, sludge and other debris, so it’s essential that you have it cleaned out from time to time in order to extend the life of your radiators and boiler.

The buildup of contaminants can affect how efficiently your heating system runs, so it’s important that you do keep on top of the situation. 

Sludge – which is rust, combined with dirt and debris – can result in blockages and corrosion, ultimately leading to the breakdown of appliances… and new boilers certainly aren’t cheap, so if you can avoid having to shell out for a complete replacement by flushing out the system, this might perhaps be a wise move.

In order to clear any debris and keep your system running well, aim to have it flushed out every five years or so… although bear in mind that some boilers feature copper heat exchangers, which will corrode quicker than stainless steel.

So how do you know if your heating system needs to be flushed out? There are certain signs to look out for, such as cold spots on your radiators, discoloured water when the radiators are bled, cloudy tap water (which suggests there is limescale in the system), lots of noise coming from your boiler, or your appliance shutting down regularly, with restarts required.

As soon as you power flush your heating system, you’ll find that your radiators take less time to heat up and they’ll get hotter, as well. Your boiler will be quieter and you’ll enjoy a far more efficient energy system, which means that you’ll see a reduction in your energy bills.