If you’re into using email, then it’s a safe bet that you use the internet as a source of research and information. At Kamco we’ve been developing our website, www.kamco.co.uk, since 2001 with the intention of passing as much information as possible to our customers on cleaning and power flushing heating systems, as well as providing a source of advice, know-how and support. We hope that you are one of the 1000+ people who visit our site every week.

We are always looking for ways in which we can improve our site, so please let us know if there is anything you would like to see there.

The short answer is that it depends on how much you use it and how well you take care of it, but it’s a question that we’re often asked. Naturally, we’ve found it difficult to give an accurate answer...

... until now !

One of our customers, Richard Farthing, of Sussex, carries out remedial power flushing work for a very large heating company when they have had callbacks, and Richard keeps a very careful log of the jobs that he has done.

As of February this year, his Clearflow CF30 has been used for more than 1400 flushes!

Can anyone better this? Email us with your stories.

Are you using artificially softened water in a central heating system?

It is not commonly known, but artificially softened water is more aggressive to central heating components than naturally soft water. A rigorous evaluation of water analysis samples from central heating systems with corrosion problems has confirmed higher corrosion levels in those filled with artificially softened water, and responsible water treatment companies are drawing this to the attention of heating engineers.

Whilst artificial soft water is a blessing, preventing deposits and stains on taps and fittings, it should be avoided in the heating system. This is because a softener removes the calcium ions from the water, and substitutes them with sodium. (Pictured right, corroded radiator showing pinhole)

Our recommendation is that, wherever possible in a house fitted with a water softener, the softener should be isolated whilst the heating system is filled / refilled. Isolation can be carried out with the softener by-pass required by British Standard BS EN 14743:2005, the standard for water softener installation regulations, and by WRAS guidance notes.

Whilst many local and national plumbers merchants do hold stocks of our power flushing chemicals, they may not always be conveniently located for engineers.

We use nationwide parcels carriers and can deliver to your door overnight (next working day). So, if you need something in a hurry, call us before 2pm, and you’ll have it the next working day.

If you’re in Eire, then we can also deliver direct to your door via a very economical three/five day service.

Click here to visit the Stockists page of our website.

Many of our customers are very knowledgeable about power flushing, but if you’d like a brief reminder on best procedures, check out the Winter 2009 issue (No. 4) of the new Gas Technology News magazine, a veritable encyclopaedia of information on servicing boilers and heating systems.

This issue has a five page article on power flushing from basics – and if that’s not enough for you, do come in for one of our regular Thursday power flushing training sessions.

Visit the Gas Technology News website: www.gastechnologynews.net

As well as being a mine of information for our customers, our web site attracts hits from around the world, from individuals and companies with scale and sludge problems in heating and cooling pipe work.

In the last month we’ve supplied descaling pumps to an ice cream factory in Jamaica (a dream job for those with a sweet tooth?), an injection moulding company in Parramatta, Sydney, Australia and a heating engineer in the Balearic Islands.

Certainly not !

We’ve always believed that successful power flushing is derived from moving water as fast as possible through a heating system to mobilise and transport the debris to a point where it can be forcibly discharged.

However, we now hear of a new gadget marketed as “Advanced Technology”, which claims to make your pump redundant by using only a magnet and the systems own circulator.

Optimism is a wonderful thing but, as we know, to really get that sludge moving it takes more than a bit of persuasion. It needs a good kicking!

So, don’t hang up your boots, traditional power flushing is still very much in demand.

It was good to see so many both new and familiar faces at the recent PHEX exhibition in the new Wembley Stadium. The show was very successful, and we know from the interest on our stand that many people had travelled a long way to attend.

Winner of our prize draw was a Mr Norman Lee of Great Bromley, he receives one of our CP2 Circulation Pump adaptors.

Tel: 01727 875020

email: info@kamco.co.uk

www.kamco.co.uk