I just heard that my boiler is messed up (though purchased only 5 years ago). The repair man said when the boiler was installed a slushing should have been done and that no rampage has been done regularly. Since it wasn't done, it has damaged the boiler. Mud, sediment, and calcite have gathered in the boiler. I don't know what slushing or rampaging are. Can someone explain this to me? I am looking at at 1200 euro repair bill minimum (though the boiler only cost 1500 euros new). Thanks!
Yup, just like our special French cars that never need a service or an oil change & then when they stop working it's all Renault's/Peugeot's/Citroën's fault ;-)
Sorry I am a bit late joining this discussion but I would be interested to know where to get the annual service, emergency call out deal. Have been looking around but can't find anything. I am in 34 if that helps. Thanks all
Yes for insurance and re assurance the boiler etc needs a check up every Sept
and the chimney needs a sweep....
PEEP and sweep.
Vic. I can only afford to stay in France for the summer because I have another source of income. By the time I've paid all the business running costs and the tax man the boiler installations are just pocket money. If I could afford the mutual I'd be here all year. That'll have wait even longer now they've scrapped the S1. :(
Big 'like' and LOL
It'll never be the same again. I'll think of this thread every time I rampage me conduit :-)
So, it was a French person, speaking English who told you it was 'rampaging' and 'slushing' - brilliant.
Phew! And I thought I charged enough for my service blokes when I was in business. Judging by the fact that Colin can work part time "I'm a gas heating engineer in the U.K. (during the winter that is, I spend my summers in France.Not working.)" It looks like I got out of the business too soon;-)
Thank you all so much -- this is all very instructive. We just don't have this kind of system (that I am aware of) in the United States. And my tenant communicates via his daughter who has a very good - but not a great - understanding of the English (or should I say the American version of the English) language. Rampaging! Slushing! Anyway, you've given me a much better handle on the situation and how to proceed -- I really appreciate it. Best....
As part of a French tenancy agreement the tenants are obliged to have the boiler serviced annually, at their cost, as well. The fee of 180 covers emergency call outs and labour Vic, not just the service.
I'm a gas heating engineer in the U.K. (during the winter that is, I spend my summers in France.Not working.) I'm pretty sure the regulations regarding boiler servicing are part of EU directives so pretty much the same here as in U.K. The gas user / landlord/ owner all have an equal responsibility to make sure the appliance is serviced at least once a year. Whilst landlords are forced to prove it has been done home owners are not and as result tend not to bother. Certainly any manufacturer will insist on seeing the service history before honouring any warranty. The installation regs say that the boiler should be fitted according to the manufacturers instructions. The manufacturers instructions will state that the system should be chemically flushed prior commissioning. In the U.K the installer has to sign a document to this effect. Regular checks should be carried out on the cleanliness of the water. These days responsible installers will fit a magnetic filter (Fernox TF1 or similar) to the return from the radiators which will pick up any Ferrous Oxide particles before they concentrate to form a sludge. This filter is cleaned at annual service. Because the sludge is ferrous it collects around magnets such as the pump motor and diverter valve which seize up. Or it will collect in the heat exchanger stopping the heat being transferred to the water and the boiler overheating as a result. This has all become more important with modern condensing / combi boilers that have narrow waterways and advanced components. My advice would be to have the system flushed and fit a new boiler. A decent one like a Vaillant fitted by an installer recommended by the manufacturer. They are often able to offer an extended warranty ...provided you have it serviced at intervals not exceeding 12 months of course.
I like your Idea better Veronique, especially at 180 euros a pop!
I was wondering about rampage & imagining a Viking in beserker kit wrestling with the boiler...
You are clever Vic to think of ramonage!
Diana. I think you are maybe confusing Slushing with Flushing & Rampage with Ramonage. Flushing is usually done to clean out an existing radiator circuit when a new boiler is installed & Ramonage is chimney sweeping. All boilers need a regular ,usually once a year, service.
Edit I was obviously typing at the same time as Veronique. Great minds......
Boilers & furnaces need a visit every year (any machine needs regular servicing) - I suspect slushing may be flushing, ie getting out all the impurities that collect and affect performance. My central heating boiler has to be serviced once a year or else (should anything go wrong) my insurance won't cover me.
We have a contract to have our boiler serviced every year and this includes emergency call out. Not sure what they do but they do something as he is down there about half an hour, it costs about 180€ I seem to think.
If the bill is going to be 1200€, I would look at buying a new boiler under guarantee and maybe with a credit impot?