Flushing Wet Returns

ed broderick_4

Having read the post on oxygen corrosion, should one-pipe residential wet returns be flushing annually before season start-up? Is the value worth the effort in a 40 year old system? Is flushing considered preventative maintenance on a system that is running well? From the school if its not broken. . .

patrick linhardt

to do or not to do

Hi Ed,

You get the point, keep fresh water to a minimum. Flush the lines to clear this year. If a lot of "stuff" comes out, check it again next year. When the "stuff" clears out, wait awhile, five years or so, until you do it again. Most systems take years to produce enough "stuff" to require annual flushing.

If the systems shows no signs of a clogged return, and you know it had been done recently, then maybe you want to leave well enough alone. If it is not broke....

Best regards, Pat