How to Maintain your Radiators

How to Maintain Your Radiators

When was the last time you bled your radiators? Or checked that the thermostatic valve settings were optimised?

Come winter, your radiators are key to keeping your home in good condition. Not only do they keep you warm but heating your home can limit damp, mould and other similar issues too.

Most homes today have a central heating system, including radiators. Radiators should be checked and maintained regularly, especially during the winter months.

If your boiler stops working, or your radiators aren’t pumping out enough heat to warm your entire home, Speedy has a range of heating solutions available which can give you a boost. But to save money and energy, you still need to check your radiators are working correctly.

Below is your ultimate radiator maintenance guide.

 

Keeping your radiators in good condition

1. Bleed radiators once per year

If your heating system or radiators contain trapped air, they will need bleeding. You can tell if trapped air is present as the top half or so of the radiator probably won’t feel warm (if it is warm at all).

Your pipes may also sound like they’re banging, and your radiators may gurgle.

It is a good idea to bleed radiators annually, in autumn, just before winter kicks in. However, bleed them as and when needed.

Wear eye protection just in case the air escapes quickly or water splutters out, and cover all of your skin, including wearing gloves to protect your hands.

You will need:

• Radiator bleed key
• Cloth (to catch leaks)
• Container (to catch water)

Ensure the central heating is off and place the container at the base of the radiator, underneath the position of the radiator valve. Use the radiator bleed key to turn the radiator valve anti-clockwise very slowly.

Listen for any air escaping, like a hiss. As soon as the water starts to run out instead, turn clockwise again to tighten.

Repeat on other radiators. Then, check your boiler pressure (by looking at the pressure gauge) and top up if needed. Now, you’re free to use your central heating again.

 

2. Check radiators for leaks

You should also inspect pipes for leaks and cracks annually. This can happen when pipes suddenly have to start working in cold weather and expand, but older radiators are also prone to damage.

Leaks can be easy to fix but may also require a plumber. In the worst-case scenario, you may need to replace your radiator.

Don’t panic—Speedy has a wide selection of temporary heating solutions available for hire if you need to do without your central heating for a few days.

A leaking radiator will cause your boiler to lose pressure faster than normal, which reduces the effectiveness of your heating. It can also cause damage to floors.

Check where the water is coming from first. If it is a valve, tighten it with a radiator key or spanner. If it is between a valve and a pipe, tighten the bolts with a spanner.

Have electric radiators? Call a professional instead. They’ll likely need replacing.

 

3. Keep radiators clean

Radiators can get surprisingly dusty and dirty. Dust especially can build up between the panels, meaning it is hard to get out.

You can use a powerful hairdryer to try and blow it through to the floor from the top of the radiator. Then, use a vacuum to collect the dust.

Give radiators a regular dust with a dry cloth, too. If you need something damp, use a wipe which can remove grease and dirt but is safe to use on paint or metal, such as the OX Biodegradable Eco Wipes.

SPEEDY TOP TIP: Seen videos on TikTok and Instagram of people pouring water between radiator panels to push out dust? DON’T DO THIS. It can cause radiators to rust, reducing efficiency and increasing the risk of damage and leaks.

 

4. Check the thermostatic radiator valves

The thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) can be turned to minimise or completely turn off heating to a single radiator.

They should be present on every radiator in your home, except the radiator in the same room as the main thermostat.

A TRV can turn off the heating to singular rooms which aren’t being used, or which are warm enough (such as kitchens). You may also have to turn off a radiator if there is furniture nearby.

If a radiator doesn’t feel very warm, check this valve before anything else. The TRV on each radiator is commonly set to number three, which will provide a room temperature of around 20°C. Turn it up if you need more warmth.

 

5. Assess the boiler temperature output

In a modern combi boiler, the radiator heating temperature should be set around 70°C, no lower than 60°C and no higher than 80°C. The temperature can be reduced in spring and summer to around 50°C.

The boiler will output heat at around 20°C if this is what the TRV suggests before the water returns to the boiler. This way, it doesn’t require too much energy to re-heat.

Then, the TRV can control each individual room. The higher the temperature, the quicker your home will heat. But don’t go too high because that will decrease efficiency.

Refer to your boiler’s manual if in doubt about the best temperature and contact a gas safe engineer for advice regarding your heating system.

SPEEDY TOP TIP: Hot water should be set around 45°C to 50°C. If it is too hot to run a bath with without using the cold tap, turn it down a bit!

 

And finally…

Are your radiators in the correct position in your home and room? Try not to have them too near to windows, as this heat can just get lost. The same applies to internal doors, which can just trap heat and stop it from flowing into the room.

Keep furniture away from blocking radiators; this includes long curtains.

If you need to contact a professional to move radiators, it could help save money in the long run, and make your home more attractive if you come to sell it.

 

 

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