Budge that Sludge

Is sludge decreasing your customers heating systems efficiency? Check out our top tips on how to remove it…

1. Understand the Issue

Sludge build-up is caused when oxygen reacts with the water and all materials in the system. The sludge then settles throughout the system - in radiators, pipework and even the components within the boiler.

2. A filter’s purpose

Magnetic filters work by stopping sludge from getting into the boiler components, such as the diverter valve, pump or plate heat exchanger. Without a filter, the worst-case scenario is that the boiler fails and you get a call back to sort it out.

3. Filtering through the filters

Whilst it is important to prevent magnetic sludge building up, belt and braces would be a filter that also collects the non-ferrous particles within the sludge.

4. To inhibit or not to inhibit

Adding an inhibitor into the system can help to reduce the risk of corrosion in the pipes, boiler and radiators. This will ensure the efficiency of the entire system. British Standard 7593 (the code of practice for treating water in domestic hot water central heating systems and states that an inhibitor must be fitted to all wet central heating systems.

5. Service please!

Your customers may think that once a magnetic filter is installed, they don’t have to do anything more, so make sure you stress the need for an annual boiler service, which includes cleaning the filter, to keep their heating system running efficiently and safely. Best practise is to check the concentration of the inhibitor at the time of the service.

TOP↑