Why is my radiator cold?

Question

All the other radiators in my house are warm its just the one in my bedroom thats gone cold...Ive heard that your meant to bleed them, but I don't know how to do that? Is it something I could do (Ive no DIY knowledge!) myself, or do I need to bring in a professional?

Answer 1

Yes bleed it. It normally take a little bleeder key that you should have .... or may be available at the hardware store. You should bleed them all and start with the one closest to the heater.
Use the key to open a small valve which is normally at the top of the radiator --- on one end. When you open the valve, by turning it counter-clockwise, you should be able to hear any air come out .... and then it would be followed by water. Use a can to drain the water into. Make sure each valve is securely closed after doing this.

If your bedroom is on the second floor ---- sometimes you may have to adjust a pressure regulator on your heater. Better to have a plumber or heating serviceman do that.

Answer 2

You may want to replace the valves up stairs on the radiators if the will not open. Do you know if they drained the radiator before doing all of that work? I recently had similar issue - but had to do some maintenance and drained the radiator. When I drained it -- it also pulled all of the water from the radiators. I had to refill to the correct psi run for a while to circulate water then starting at the top of the house bled the radiators. If you had this profressionaly done - I would call back the people who performed the work as a possiblility - but the new valves are much nicer easeier to use because they use a flat head screw driver to bleed and go in very easily. Just make sure you clean the opening well once you remove the old one with a steel brush and use plumbing tape on the threads...Novice job.

Answer 3

Get yourself a radiator bleed key (cost a few pence) from a plumbers, insert the key in the valve,(usualy at top right hand corner of radiator) locate key onto the square shaft and turn anti clockwise,you will hear air escping (hissing sound) when water starts to come out turn the key clockwise until the valve is shut. A word of caution when opening the valve(anticlockwise) do not open too far one or two turns should be enough (just enough to let the air out) Good luck.

Answer 4

There is a valve on the radiator that you use to "bleed" the air out. It takes a key or chuck which is usually located somewhere around the radiator, or at least it should be. Hold a bowl under the valve and open it. Let the air out until water starts to come out, then shut it. This is what bleeding your radiator means. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Look at the top of the rad, often at the end at the top. May be at the back. You should see a recessed square brass bit, about 6mm across. Go to your DIY Store, Plumbing section, ask for a bleed key get the brass one, not the aluminium one...When you get home,get an old cloth, insert the key, make sure its well on the square, turn the key anti-clockwise as you look at it. The square screw should loosen. This will allow the air out, the water level will rise, and if your heating is on, rad will get warm. Any other prob, mail me....

Answer 6

yes the rad needs to be bled you can buy a square key from a diy shop for this, turn the key when inserted on the rad bleed part will be at top on side brass looking you will here air escaping then all of a sudden water will fly out so have a old towel to protect your wall and carpet when the water comes out turn the key off the water will stop and BINGO sorted

Answer 7

Your radiator does need bleeding, you can easily do this yourself, all you need is a radiator key, just stick it in the side of the radiator where you find the slot and twist it slowly until all the air is out and water begins to come out. may be best to have an old towel under it to catch water drops that come out with the air.

Answer 8

Buy a brass radiator key in your local hardware shop, cost 50p
At the top of the radiator on one end there is a recessed small square, Insert key, turn anti=clockwise, you will hear a hiss as air leaves the rad. When water starts dribbling out, screw clockwise. Dont overtighten.

Answer 9

Hi ,It sounds like you have an airlock in your rad, easy to fix, all you do is turn the little bleed screw with the little tool available from all hardware stores, using a towel to catch any water. First you will hear air then water comes out, once water comes out without air you then tighten up the screw. The screw is at the top side of your rad, 1 minute fix.

Good luck

Jimmy

Answer 10

Make sure when you bleed the radiator that the central heating is OFF otherwise you will end up with air in the complete system.If bleeding it wont work it may need the system balancing.