WDI GROUP (SURREY) LTD
POWERFLUSHING & HEATING SYSTEM CLEANING TERMS & CONDITIONS
These terms apply whenever WDI Group (Surrey) Ltd undertakes powerflushing, MagnaCleanse, chemical cleaning, mechanical cleaning or similar cleaning of an existing central-heating system. They should be read together with our Standard Quotation Terms & Conditions, Plumbing Terms & Conditions and, where applicable, Repairs, Call-outs & Fault Finding Terms & Conditions.
1. PURPOSE OF HEATING SYSTEM CLEANING
Powerflushing and other heating-system cleaning methods are intended to remove or reduce sludge, magnetite, corrosion deposits, scale and other contamination from existing heating systems. Depending upon the service booked, the process may involve chemicals, circulation, agitation, flushing, individual radiator work, magnetic filtration and subsequent refilling of the system. Where included within the quotation, suitable inhibitor will be introduced following completion of the cleaning process.
2. CONDITION OF EXISTING SYSTEM
Heating systems may contain ageing, corroded, weakened or partially blocked radiators, pipework, boilers and heat exchangers, pumps, valves, expansion vessels, automatic air vents, zone valves, magnetic filters, cylinders or coils, seals and joints and other components. The internal condition of these components cannot normally be fully determined before cleaning begins.
3. CLEANING CANNOT REVERSE EXISTING DAMAGE
Powerflushing or chemical cleaning can remove or reduce deposits within a system but cannot reverse corrosion, metal loss, deterioration or damage which has already occurred. A component weakened by corrosion may continue to require replacement even where the cleaning process itself has been successful.
4. RISK OF LEAKS FOLLOWING CLEANING
Sludge, corrosion products and scale can sometimes partially seal existing pinholes, weakened joints or deteriorated components. Removing these deposits can expose an existing weakness and cause a leak to become apparent during or following cleaning. Leaks may occur from existing radiators, valves, pipework, joints, boiler components, heat exchangers, cylinders or coils, pumps, automatic air vents or other heating-system components. Where WDI Group has exercised reasonable care and skill, WDI Group will not be responsible for leaks resulting from pre-existing corrosion, deterioration or weakness which could not reasonably have been identified beforehand. Any investigation, repair, replacement parts or additional attendance required as a result of such pre-existing conditions will be chargeable.
5. PINHOLE LEAKS & CORROSION
Where a radiator or pipe contains severe internal corrosion, cleaning may expose a pinhole leak which was previously sealed or partially sealed by corrosion products. The appearance of a leak during or following a flush does not, by itself, mean WDI Group has damaged the system. Where failure results from pre-existing deterioration, replacement or repair will be chargeable.
6. DRAINING, REFILLING & REPRESSURISING
Heating-system cleaning normally requires the system to be drained, refilled, circulated and repressurised. The provisions contained within WDI Group's Plumbing Terms & Conditions relating to draining, refilling and repressurising heating systems also apply. These processes can expose pre-existing leaks, weak seals, airlocks, circulation issues and component failures.
7. BOILER OPERATION FOLLOWING A FLUSH
Cleaning and draining an existing heating system can disturb sludge, magnetite, debris, scale and corrosion deposits. Following cleaning or refill, an existing boiler may in some circumstances fail to restart, display a fault code, become airlocked, experience circulation problems, overheat, lose pressure, develop pump or valve problems or otherwise fail to operate correctly. Where WDI Group has exercised reasonable care and skill, WDI Group is not responsible for boiler faults arising from the boiler's pre-existing condition, contamination, deterioration or existing components which could not reasonably have been identified beforehand. Additional diagnosis, repair, replacement parts and attendance required to restore an existing boiler will be chargeable where the issue is not caused by WDI Group's workmanship.
8. MOBILISED DEBRIS
The purpose of cleaning is to loosen and remove contamination. During this process, debris may move through parts of the heating system before it can be removed. Existing restrictions, small waterways, heat exchangers, valves or other components can be affected by mobilised debris. Where an existing component becomes restricted or fails because of contamination already present within the system, additional investigation and remedial work will be chargeable.
9. MICROBORE SYSTEMS
Microbore heating systems are particularly susceptible to internal restriction because of their small pipe diameter. Powerflushing or chemical cleaning may improve circulation but cannot guarantee every restriction within microbore pipework will be removed. Where pipework is severely restricted, replacement or alteration of sections of pipe may be required. Such remedial work is not included within the powerflush price unless specifically stated and will be chargeable.
10. SEVERELY BLOCKED RADIATORS & PIPEWORK
Where a radiator or section of pipework is completely or severely blocked, cleaning may not restore satisfactory circulation. Further mechanical cleaning, removal of radiator, replacement of radiator or alteration/replacement of pipework may be required. Additional work will be chargeable unless expressly included within quotation.
11. NO GUARANTEE OF EVERY RADIATOR
WDI Group will use reasonable care and skill to clean the system within agreed scope. However, WDI Group cannot guarantee every radiator will achieve perfect or equal heat distribution following cleaning. Performance can also be affected by system design, pipe sizing, balancing, pump performance, radiator sizing, thermostatic valves and other existing conditions.
12. SYSTEM DESIGN PROBLEMS
Powerflushing does not correct fundamental design or installation problems. Poor circulation may be caused or contributed to by undersized pipework, incorrect pipework configuration, inadequate pumps, incorrect pump settings, poorly balanced systems, defective valves, incorrectly sized radiators, restrictions within inaccessible pipework, incorrect bypass arrangements or other design or installation defects. Where additional remedial work is required, this will be separately chargeable.
13. EXISTING PUMPS & VALVES
Existing pumps, motorised valves, thermostatic radiator valves, lockshield valves and other moving components may already be worn, seized or contaminated. Cleaning may improve their operation but does not guarantee their remaining service life. Where an existing component fails or remains defective following cleaning, replacement will be chargeable unless failure resulted directly from WDI Group's workmanship.
14. RADIATOR VALVES
Existing radiator valves may need to be operated repeatedly during cleaning. Older valves may leak, seize or fail when operated despite reasonable care being exercised. Where failure results from pre-existing age, corrosion or deterioration, replacement valves and associated labour will be chargeable.
15. MAGNETIC FILTERS
Where an existing magnetic filter is installed, it may be cleaned as part of agreed service where reasonably accessible. Existing damaged, leaking or defective magnetic filters are not included for replacement unless specifically stated. Where installation of a new magnetic filter is recommended, this will be separately quoted unless already included.
16. CHEMICALS
Cleaning chemicals and inhibitors will be used in accordance with their intended purpose and applicable instructions. The Client should inform WDI Group before work commences of any known unusual materials, previous chemical treatments or specialist components within the heating system.
17. SYSTEM WATER FOLLOWING CLEANING
A successful flush is intended to improve cleanliness of circulating water but cannot guarantee every deposit has been removed from every internal surface. Residual contamination may remain, particularly within heavily contaminated, inaccessible or severely restricted systems.
18. FUTURE SLUDGE & CORROSION
Powerflushing does not permanently prevent future corrosion or sludge formation. Ongoing system condition depends upon factors including inhibitor concentration, oxygen entering the system, leaks and regular topping-up, system design, water quality, component condition, maintenance and future alterations. The Client is responsible for appropriate future maintenance of the system.
19. FUTURE DRAINING & INHIBITOR
Where the heating system is subsequently drained, altered or substantially topped up, inhibitor concentration may be reduced. The Client should ensure suitable inhibitor is restored in accordance with appropriate requirements following future work. WDI Group is not responsible for future corrosion resulting from inhibitor being removed, diluted or not replenished following work undertaken by others.
20. RESULTS OF CLEANING
WDI Group does not guarantee powerflushing or heating-system cleaning will remove every deposit, restore every radiator to perfect circulation, correct system-design defects, repair defective components, eliminate every noise, prevent future sludge, prevent future component failure or extend the life of components already significantly deteriorated. The service is undertaken to improve system cleanliness and performance using reasonable care and skill.
21. TEMPERATURE & PERFORMANCE
Where practical, WDI Group may compare radiator or system performance during cleaning process. Improved circulation or temperature distribution following cleaning does not constitute a guarantee of future system performance or component life.
22. ADDITIONAL FAULTS DISCOVERED
Cleaning may reveal previously hidden problems which could not reasonably be identified before circulation was restored or improved. For example, restoring flow through one section may reveal another blockage, defective valve, failing pump, leaking radiator, boiler circulation problems or another existing system defect. Additional investigation and remedial work will be chargeable.
23. SEQUENTIAL FAULTS
Heating-system problems can sometimes only be identified in stages. Where WDI Group reasonably addresses one identified restriction or fault and further testing subsequently reveals another pre-existing problem which could not reasonably have been identified beforehand, additional diagnosis and repair will be chargeable. Discovery of a further fault does not, by itself, mean original diagnosis or cleaning work was incorrect.
24. SYSTEMS IN POOR CONDITION
Where WDI Group reasonably considers a heating system to be in particularly poor condition, we may advise the Client that powerflushing carries an increased risk of exposing leaks or component failure. WDI Group may recommend replacement of particular components before cleaning or may decline to powerflush a system where we reasonably consider risk of significant failure to be excessive.
25. CLIENT DECISION TO PROCEED
Where WDI Group has advised the Client of an increased risk associated with condition or age of the system and the Client nevertheless instructs WDI Group to proceed, the Client accepts identified increased risk. This does not exclude WDI Group's responsibility to exercise reasonable care and skill.
26. POWERFLUSHING CHARGE
The agreed powerflushing or system-cleaning charge relates to labour, equipment, chemicals and cleaning process undertaken. The charge remains payable where not every restriction can be removed, an existing leak becomes apparent, an existing component fails, further repairs are recommended, a radiator remains restricted, the boiler develops an unrelated or pre-existing fault, or additional remedial work is required, provided WDI Group has undertaken the agreed service with reasonable care and skill.
27. ADDITIONAL REPAIRS
Unless specifically included, powerflush price does not include replacement or repair of radiators, radiator valves, pipework, pumps, boilers or boiler components, heat exchangers, expansion vessels, motorised valves, cylinders, magnetic filters or other defective components. Any such work will be separately chargeable.
28. ACCESS
The Client must provide reasonable access to boiler, radiators, valves, pipework and other relevant parts of heating system. Furniture and possessions should be moved where reasonably necessary to provide safe working access. Additional attendance caused by inadequate access may be chargeable.
29. FLOORING & DECORATIVE FINISHES
Where radiators or components need to be removed to undertake additional remedial work, access may affect flooring, boxing or decorative finishes. Unless specifically included, specialist flooring removal/reinstatement, decorating and making good are excluded.
30. THIRD-PARTY WORK
WDI Group does not warrant subsequent heating-system alterations, servicing, repairs or chemical treatment undertaken by another contractor. Where another person subsequently drains, modifies, contaminates or otherwise interferes with the system, WDI Group cannot accept responsibility for resulting problems unless caused by our original workmanship.
31. WDI GROUP WORKMANSHIP WARRANTY
Unless expressly stated otherwise, WDI Group provides a 12-month workmanship warranty covering heating-system cleaning work actually undertaken by WDI Group. This warranty does not provide a 12-month guarantee for existing heating system, boiler, radiators, pipework or components. It does not cover pre-existing corrosion or deterioration, pinhole leaks exposed by cleaning, existing component failures, future sludge or corrosion, system-design defects, restrictions which could not be successfully removed, Client-supplied products, manufacturer component failures, normal wear and tear, lack of maintenance or subsequent third-party work or interference. Where a reported warranty issue is investigated and found not to result from WDI Group's workmanship, attendance and diagnostic work will be chargeable. Nothing within these terms affects the Client's statutory rights.
32. OPPORTUNITY TO REMEDY
Where the Client believes WDI Group's cleaning work has been carried out incorrectly, the Client should notify WDI Group and provide us with a reasonable opportunity to inspect and, where appropriate, remedy the matter. Except in a genuine emergency or where otherwise required by law, the Client should not instruct another contractor to undertake remedial work at WDI Group's cost without first giving WDI Group a reasonable opportunity to investigate.
33. PAYMENT
Payment is due in accordance with quotation or agreed booking terms. The agreed cleaning charge remains payable for service undertaken even where cleaning process identifies an existing defect or further work is subsequently recommended. Additional authorised repairs, replacement components and return visits will be charged separately.
34. ACCEPTANCE
By accepting a quotation, booking or instructing WDI Group to undertake powerflushing or heating-system cleaning, the Client confirms acceptance of agreed cleaning method and scope, WDI Group's Standard Quotation Terms & Conditions, WDI Group's Plumbing Terms & Conditions, these Powerflushing & Heating System Cleaning Terms & Conditions, WDI Group's Repairs, Call-outs & Fault Finding Terms where applicable, and any project-specific conditions contained within quotation. The Client acknowledges the internal condition of an existing heating system cannot be fully determined beforehand and that cleaning can expose pre-existing leaks, corrosion, restrictions and component failures. Nothing within these terms affects the Client's statutory rights.