how long should i bleed my radiator for?

Question

i tried to bleed my radiator and i was told to do it until the water comes out i have tried this for over an hour does anyone know how long it will take should i have my heating system running while i am bleeding them

Answer 1

Open both taps either side of the rad anticlockwise first eg, turn it on .to let the water flow.
it should take a few seconds it will hiss then water will flow

If you are attempting to empty the rad of its water turn them both off clockwise

Answer 2

You will need to have the heating turned on to do this properly.

You will need a radiator bleed key available from all diy stores and an old piece of cloth or towelling.
Once the heating has been on for about 40 minutes you simply take the bleed key and insert it into the end of the radiator with the matching head to the keys opening, you then turn the key SLOWLY in an anti-clockwise direction and you will hear air hissing as it escapes from the radiator by the key valve fitting.
After this period of hissing stops ( it can be 10 seconds it could be 40 ) it will be followed by BLACK water, this is where you will need the towelling to stop it dribbling onto the floor as it can stain carpets...CAUTION AT THIS STAGE THE WATER WILL BE RUNNING HOT...AND MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT TURN THE VALVE FITTING MORE THAN JUST ENOUGH TO LET THE AIR OUT OF THE RADIATOR.
Once all of this has been done you can re-tighten the valve screw with the bleed key and wipe up any spillages . YOU have now bled your first radiator, and you should notice an immediate improvement with regard to heat coming from the radiator. You may need to do this on a regular basis to more than one radiator on your system depending on how old it is and its condition, but fear not IT IS an easy job and it gets easier each and every time you do it.
Good luck and here's to a warm home this winter.
Regards.
Martin.
School Caretaker.

Answer 3

First make sure that the 2 Valves at each end of the radiator are in the open position. Turn on the boiler. go to the radiator in question and open up tue bleed valve slowly. Yoy will haer air escaping. very soon you will see water comming out of the bleed valve. Keep a cloth or a towel at the bleed to catch this water. Let the water flow until it flows without cantaininf any air bubbled. Tighten up the bleed valve and problem is solved.

Answer 4

It sounds like you have no pressure in the system. If it is a boiler which heats the water on-demand as it passes through the boiler, then there should be a little valve and pressure gauge. If the gauge is at zero then you have no pressure. Check the instructions and turn the valve to re-pressurise the system. If you have left the bleed valves open anywhere then you may get water pouring out at this stage!!

Alternatively ask friends for help - unless there is something seriously wrong with the system which requires a plumber, then it is more than likely that one of them will have done this to their own central heating system!!

Answer 5

make sure the pump is on, have a jar and a towel at hand, put the radiator key on to the square head at the top end of the radiator and turn anti clockwise slowly until water and air come out when just water and no air is escaping normally after a few seconds tighten back up if you are going to bleed all radiators start with the farthest away from the pump first.Most important take care not to scald yourself

Answer 6

Afraid you need to keep going as there is probably an airlock. You may need to go round to all radiators to and leave the bleed valve open to enable the system to properly fill up. Bleed the pump as well. Keep your eyes open but the system should fill from the bottom up so be ready to close the bottom ones as the water level rises.

Answer 7

If both valves are open it shouldn't take long. Make sure you hold a cloth under the bleed valve because the water can be black when it comes out. If your system is fed by a small tank in the loft make sure the ball valve isn't stuck, this can happen in this situation because it stays in the closed position for long periods.

Answer 8

if you want to bleed it then you can do it anytime, although it's best done when hot, the hissing which is air coming out of the radiator...... you should bleed it untill water starts to come out... air in heating systems isn't good.......

if your there for an hour you aren't turning it far enough... it should take no more than 20 sec's .....

Answer 9

make sure the valves are open, turn tstat up let boiler run, till some pipes are warm, then start to bleed at the highest point in system till water comes out with no air......then work way down to other radiators and when done,,repeat all this one more time..

Answer 10

Are you sure the vaves are open on the bottom of your radiator, Make sure the central heating is off ,the air should come out within minutes then you will get a little flow of water

Answer 11

If its not working with the heating on, try turning it off. This should work. You bleed it until water comes out.