A Guide To Bleeding Your Radiators
In these times of rising costs of living and fuel prices, every little saving helps, so we thought we’d go through how to bleed your radiators effectively.
If your radiators aren’t bled regularly then air builds up in your central heating system, which reduces its efficiency and the effectiveness of your radiators, so, when you bleed your radiators, not only will your house be warmer, but you’ll save money too!
It is recommended that you bleed your radiators once a year, regardless of whether they are working properly, but if you feel cold spots or the top of the radiator is cold, they definitely need bleeding. They may also need bleeding if they are making a gurgling or banging sound.
Before You Start
Always make sure your central heating system (your boiler) is turned off and your radiators are cold before attempting to bleed them. When turned on, your radiators contain hot water, and you could be at risk of scalding yourself if you bleed them at this time.
You will need to have a radiator key and a cloth or towel to catch any water that escapes.
Bleeding Your Radiators
1. Turn off your heating
As mentioned, you don’t want to scald yourself whilst bleeding your radiators, so ensure your heating system is turned off and cooled down before you begin.
2. Prepare the surrounding area
Use towels to protect the area around the valve. This will prevent any water that sprays out from damaging surrounding carpets or floors.
3. Insert the Key
Slot your radiator key into the bleed valve of your radiator, holding a cloth underneath. The valve is located at the top or bottom of your radiator and looks like a round hole with a square in the centre.
4. Bleed The Radiator
Carefully turn the key anti clockwise around a quarter turn. The air in the radiator should begin to come out, making a hissing noise. This is perfectly normal and is the sound of the trapped air escaping. You may also get some water come out, so keep your cloth in place to catch this.
5. Retighten Valve
Once the hissing stops and water begins to come out, retighten the valve in a clockwise direction. Do this as quickly as possible once the air stops to avoid too much water escaping. Be sure not to over tighten the valve. You should only need to turn it the quarter turn you turned it in the other direction when you opened it.
6. Turn on Your Central Heating & Check The Pressure
Turn your central heating back on and check your pressure. Bleeding your radiators can sometimes cause the pressure in your boiler to drop. If the pressure is too low (below 1 bar), you’ll need to top it up. Use the lever or tap on your boiler, known as the filling loop.
7. Check Radiator
Check that your radiators are heating up evenly and aren’t cold at the top.
And that’s it. All you need to know about bleeding your radiators! If you still have a problem with your heating or radiators after doing this, then you might need us to pay you a visit. Call us on 07917 776549 and we’ll arrange to get to you asap.
