Summer means radiators are an afterthought, but new advice states that now is the perfect time to do maintenance on them. With searches for ‘how to bleed a radiator’ up by 60% in the last 7 days, experts have revealed a step-by-step guide on how to bleed a radiator to avoid damage later in the year. If left unchecked, pockets of air could form in the radiator, these could easily be drawn up into the boiler or heat pump and cause air locks or overheating.
To help those wanting to service their radiator and save as much as 10% on their energy bills, Jess Steele, heating technology expert at online designer radiator specialists BestHeating has shared some tips on how to bleed your radiator for improved efficiency.
Determine which radiators need bleeding
To save time bleeding all radiators in the house, start by turning the heating on full and wait until the radiators have reached maximum heat. Then carefully run your hand along the top of each radiator and if you feel any cold areas, it is a clear sign that it needs bleeding. Once this is done make sure to turn the heating off as the last thing you want is to have hot water burn you when trying to bleed a radiator.
Locate the radiator bleed valve
You can now bleed the radiators that you have made note of, and if you need to bleed more than one, it is best to start with the furthest away from the boiler. To do this you will need a radiator bleed key, a cloth to catch any water leakage, and a towel to place under the radiator.
You should first locate the radiator bleed valve, which is a small metal square or screw found inside the surrounding nut and is usually at the top and side of a radiator.
Place a tray or towel on the floor
Next place a tray or a towel on the floor beneath the bleed valve. This will catch any drips and protect your flooring from any discoloured water.
Insert the radiator bleed key
Now insert the radiator bleed key into the valve until they lock together, hold the cloth next to the valve and under the drain hole to be prepared to catch any drips.
Slowly make an anti-clockwise turn to open the valve, this will allow the air to escape. At this point a hissing sound should be heard. Keep turning the valve until is between a quarter and half way open, being careful not to open it fully to prevent water escaping too quickly
Close the radiator bleed valve
Once the hissing noise and air stop and water starts to leak out, all the trapped air has been bled from the radiator and you can close the valve, although don’t do this too tightly to avoid damaging it. An average radiator takes no more than 20 to 30 seconds to bleed.
Bleed other radiators and check your boiler pressure
Repeat this process for any other radiators in your home that need bleeding. When you are done, the pressure gauge on your boiler may have dropped, so top the boiler pressure back up. Finish by turning the heating back on and go around the home to check that there are no longer any cold spots.
Finally, Jess comments “Being able to bleed a radiator is a valuable skill as it is important to do this around the home yearly. Failing to do this can cause internal corrosion and damage parts linked to the boiler.
“If your radiator has cold spots at the bottom, the system may need flushing which is a more complicated task. For those who don’t feel confident in their skills it is always best to contact a qualified professional who will prevent any further problems down the line.”
