How do I bleed single radiators?

Question

I need to bleed my rads but they dont have the usual square key hole at the top of them.

Answer 1

Some of the keys are triangular, others square, but all are at the top, make sure you've got the right key,and a clothe,undo screw slowly, you will hear a hissing sound, as the air escapes, when water starts to bubble out , lock the screw off,if theres alot of air comes out , dont forget to rebalance the water pressure, to 1 bar or just above , do this at the boiler

Answer 2

ok if they don't have the square key hole what do they have? Some have a valve at the side of the radiator near the top, you just need a screwdriver to open that to bleed them. If its just a different type of key fitment you have you can purchase the right kind of radiator key from B&Q

Answer 3

You may have a small plastic plug (or an access hole if plug is missing) on the radiator panel itself. It will be at the top toward the end. On a double radiator there will be two plugs or holes one at each end. Remove 'push in' plastic plugs and insert bleed key as normal.When finished put plastic plug back

Answer 4

Well, whatever type of screw it is, its going to be at the top, because otherwise you're going to let out water instead of air, which will make it worse.
The different types I've seen are the normal square key fitting, a screw fitting that you turn with a flat blade screwdriver, and a knurled wheel that you turn with your fingers (or a pair of pliers if it's stuck). But it's always the same routine. Open it to let the air out. When it stops hissing air and water comes out instead, close it.
Good luck

Answer 5

I have no idea as my radiators have the square key hole. However, I find that if I have a quick DIY question, pop into your local B&Q or Wickes store. I have found them helpful and knowledgable.

Answer 6

you need a bleed key on the end of the radiator is a small not undo this till you here a hissing no more then as soon as water drips out tighten nut job done

Answer 7

Is your radiator new or old? If it is new, did you or a friend fit it for you? either way it sounds like the bleed valve hasn't been fitted.
It definetley sounds like it was done by a DIY person and not a plumber, as a plumber would never have missed to putting in the bleed valve.
It's not a hard job, but you will have to shut off both valves at the pipes, You may have to get an allen key to undo the plug on the top of the radiator, install the bleed valve to the most accessable side on your radiator which will be the easiest to get to.
After you shut down both valves at the pipes, get yourself an old towel or rag and a plastic container also a bucket to put the water into. So as long as you have bought your new bleed valve which will cost next to nothing also don't forget to get a bleed valve key or you are stuffed.
All you have to do is be very careful and unscrew the screwed in plug very slowly and carefully, you may soon start to hear air comming out from it's threads, this is where you bbe that little more careful, keep pressure with your other hands fingers as near to the allen key as possible, also keep a towel on the floor and a bit of rag or another old towel with you to catch any water that comes out. If the water starts to seep out, then let it and don't turn plug any more until the water stops and when it does open up the plug a bit more and do the same.
Doing it this way is a lot easier as you don't have to drain the whole system or even the radiator, all you are doing is to lower the level of the water below the level of the plug. So more or less carry on doing a little at a time letting water out into a plastic container or towel then wring the towel out into bucket. Eventually when the plug is out the water should be slightly lower than the plug thread hole. Keep a towel under the radiator incase of any drips, which should be unlikely as you have shut off the valves at the pipe ends. Your new bleed valve is ready for fitting, if the square bleed screw is still in the valve then remove it as you need to put your allen key inside the valve plug.
Start by wrapping plumbers tape ( PTFE tape ) around the threads of the valve plug, wrapping it around about three times and wrap it around anti clockwise otherwise it will come off as you screw it in. After you have done that then be careful as you start to screw it into the radiators thread as you may cross thread it, screw it in until it is as tight as you can get it but don't go too stupid you will know when it's tight enough, more or less tighten it up untill it stops then just give it another quick tighten and that's that done. Then you simply screw in the bleed valve screw with the tool, don't overtighten, ok that's about done, next open a valve at a time at the pipe ends then all you have to do is to bleed the air out of the radiator, so open up yhe bleed valve until you hear air comming out, still keep a towel and containers ready to put any water into, as you let the air out, the level of the radiator will start to rise, then water will start comming out, bleed until the spluttering of the air and water stops and the water is comming out more smoothly, then close the bleed valve with your tool and just give it a little nip to tighten it. Turn on heating is rad cold? and others warm then with heating still on re bleed until if any more air in rad comes out and rad gets hot. rad starts to get hot from bottom up. Best to bleed all rads, Job done.

All you need is.

!/ New bleed valve

2/ Bleed valve tool

3/ PTFE tape ( Plumbers tape )

4/ Allen key

5/ Old towel / rag

6/ Small plastic container ( To catch water from rad )

7/ Bucket or old icecream plastic container ( to put water into )

Well I hope you understand this lot, please forgive my longish letters, I am disabled with many disabilities including a brain haemorrhage, 16 mini strokes, kidney failure and a hell of a lot more. Even though I have all these problems, I love helping out serious and sensible people .
I hope I have helped you, please let me know how you get on. Jimmy Essex England UK ( I'm Scottish )

Answer 8

The key hole is usually on the back in the top corner.

Answer 9

i have single radiators and the square hole (as you call it) is on the top left hand side (as you are looking at it)

Answer 10

What about just removing lower hose?