Sludge remover filters vs power flushing pumps - Manta Ecologica

Installers know that most heating system problems are related to corrosion.

Moreover, even only after 6 months in contact with water, the efficiency of a system can be compromised.

In fact, if the metal of the pipes corrodes, debris and sludge start to form settling in the system (often in the lower part of radiators), reducing water circulation and heat exchange.

How does a magnetic sludge remover filter work?

Debris that originate from corrosion are a mix of magnetic and non-magnetic particles that circulate, deposit and stratify inside the plant.

A magnetic sludge remover filter can capture circulating magnetic particles and – if it has a filter mesh – can hold non-magnetic suspended particles with dimensions greater than the degree of filtration.

However, sludge remover filters have poor results on systems already compromised by corrosion and, therefore, on the particles already stratified inside the system.

In fact, even if we let a dedicated chemical product, such as BP 3in1, circulate inside the system to stop the incrustations and disperse the iron oxides, we would not be able to remove all the debris that have deposited and stratified over time.

How does a system flushing work?

A professional washing of a heating system – with the use of a power flushing pump and suitable chemical products – 100% eliminates all magnetic and non-magnetic particles, deposited and stratified.

Especially when a system is highly compromised or even occluded, the use of a professional power flushing pump is essential to remove stubborn deposits that tend to accumulate in the points where the normal water flow cannot reach (often in the lower part of radiators).

The circulation of water in the system, in fact, occurs in one direction and with a fixed flow rate.

With the use of an external pump equipped with a flow inverter and a high flow rate, however, it is possible to remove most of the debris present in the system.

To eliminate all the particles 100%, it is necessary to use dedicated chemicals (for example, fast-acting strong restorer BP 800).

Let's bust some myths about the power flushing of the heating systems

FALSE MYTH: A magnetic sludge remover filter is enough to wash a heating system

ANSWER: With a magnetic sludge remover filter the problem of corrosion is not eliminated, but it is controlled, preventing further circulating debris from depositing and aggravating the circuit’s performance. A professional washing of a heating system is, instead, the only solution to restore the initial characteristics of the system and find the comfort of a new system.

FALSE MYTH: The power flushing causes leaks in a heating system

ANSWER: Due to the phenomena related to corrosion, some plants may have perforations in the pipes which, however, do not cause water leaks because the same particles that were formed due to the corrosion were deposited at that point, closing the hole and not letting out the water. During the washing operation, the deposit that closed the hole is removed, the system starts to leak and the customer could blame the installer. To avoid these kind of problems we always recommend “testing” the system and putting it under pressure (increasing the pressure already present by 0.5-1 bar); this way you can check for any system leaks even before starting the wash and – if necessary – fix it with the Stop Leak Sealant (or Stop Leak Strong in the most serious situations).

FALSE MYTH: The pressure of a power flushing pump damages the boilers

ANSWER: For safety reasons, the internal components (hydraulic unit) of a boiler must be tested by the manufacturer to withstand 3 bar. The maximum pressure of a pump during washing will never exceed 2 bar by far and therefore will not over pressurize and damage the inside of a boiler. We have to remember this: it is a high flow rate that makes washing effective, not high pressure.