A large proportion of homes and commercial premises in the UK have gas central heating installed, which uses water filled radiators to heat areas. Therefore, this makes radiator maintenance an essential part of property upkeep, which may involve bleeding your radiators.
As plumbing and heating specialists we’re here to give you the lowdown on why and when you should bleed your radiators to ensure your radiators are functioning at their optimum capacity and are more energy efficient too.
Spotting the signs you should bleed a radiator
First of all it’s important to recognize the signs that you may need to bleed your radiators. With modern water-filled radiators there is a chance that air bubbles can get into the system, which stops the hot water from being pumped around effectively, thus your central heating won’t be heating your home as well and the radiators will need bleeding to release the air.
A sure sign of this is if you have certain radiators that aren’t fully heating up when your central heating is on. Each radiator should heat all the way to the top if your heating system is working properly, but if air is in the system radiators may not heat up at all or only be hot at the bottom. This is because the air is preventing the radiator from completely filling with hot water.
Another sign that you may have an air pocket in your radiator system is if you notice any patches of damp or condensation, which can be an indication that the radiator isn’t heating up properly.
How often should I bleed my radiators?
The process of bleeding your radiators is fairly straightforward, as the air can be released from the radiators with a special radiator key that can be bought from most DIY shops. This key is used to open the air valve at the top of the radiator to expel the air from within, so the water fills right to the top.
However, this isn’t a process that should need to be done very often and should only be carried out if you have identified a cold spot in a radiator. The radiator system is designed to be airtight, thus air shouldn’t be able to get in easily. However, it doesn’t do any harm to check your radiators every few months to ensure you spot any air pockets early.
Naturally, if you find you’re having to regularly bleed your radiators when the heating is on, then this could be an indication of an underlying problem, such as a leak s in the system or a problem with the water pressure in your boiler. This is when it’s time to seek professional advice. Contact a professional plumber, who can help to identify why and where the air keeps getting in the system and can ensure it gets repaired so your heating is operating on all cylinders again.
If you suspect you have an issue with your heating and want some friendly and professional advice, then contact Priory Gas Heating Plumbers today. We’ll be happy to advise you on any aspect of your central heating system.