Descaling A Boiler And Why

How to descale a boiler

Here are our quick and easy to follow steps for descaling your boiler.

1. Ensure your boiler is switched off and reaches a safe, ambient temperature to avoid burning yourselfCarefully remove the top and front of your boiler using a screwdriver, allowing you access to your heat exchanger
2. Pour a boiler descaling product into the expansion tank. We’d suggest using a relatively mild product rather than a harsher one, as these can sometimes increase the risk of corrosion
3. Switch your boiler back on. Once it reaches a warm temperature that you’re comfortable with, allow the descaling liquid to circulate through the system for at least two hours. Establish that all valves are open, and the pump is set to maximum flow
   Then drain and flush your boiler system a couple of times
4. For especially grimy or foul-smelling boiler systems, continue to repeat this process a few times until you feel confident that your boiler’s performance has improved.

Why is it important to descale a boiler?

The formation of limescale inside a boiler is a common problem, but one that can be easily fixed. It’s caused through the build-up of calcium carbonate which is naturally present in hard water. Limescale is more commonly seen on appliances that run on hot water. This is because hot water evaporates from surfaces at a much faster rate than cold water.

As boilers are more susceptible to limescale, it’s important to regularly descale it to ensure it continues to work as it should. By removing limescale from the pipes, this can prevent potential leaks or even pipe rupture. As a result, water can flow freely through the pipes to ensure effective boiler performance.

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