20 Radiator Problems And Cures
Have you got any radiator problems and need any cures. Martin Smith an emergency plumber explains 20 of the most asked question including answers to those who are currently experiencing a radiator problems.
- Radiator not getting hot?
- Removed radiator causing problems?
- Will moving a radiator cause any problem to my system?
- What will happen if I take away my radiator?
- I have a noisy radiator problem what can I do?
- How do I stop air from getting in to my radiator?
- My radiator has just sprung a leak, what can I do?
- How do I stop my radiator from rusting?
- My radiators are taking too long to heat, what can I do?
- My radiator is getting too hot what can I do?
- The valve attached to my radiator is leaking at the head, how do I stop this?
- My radiator has fallen off the wall, is it safe to put it back?
- How can I get an airlock out of my radiator?
- How can I balance my radiator system?
- How do I stop a leak under the radiator valve at the nut?
- Does having small radiator pipes have any negative effects on my radiator?
- Do I have to drain down the central heating to fix a leak on the radiator?
- Is it ok to turn of both radiator valve and take the radiator off the wall well I decorate?
- What can I use to make my radiators run more better?
- Why is my radiator hot upstairs but cold downstairs?
Radiator not getting hot
If you have radiator problems that the radiator is getting too hot where other are ok, then it is most like that the balance of the radiators is pointing to the radiator that is getting to hot, this can be solved by either turning the TRV down or if the thermostatic radiator valve is non existent, to may be a good idea to have a TRV fitted.
Removed radiator causing problems
If you have removed your radiator and there is now problems then the system may be incorrectly fitted. Due to the complications there is no room for DIY plumbing and you will need to call a central heating specialist (Plumber).
Will moving a radiator cause any problem to my system
When moving a radiator, as long as the pipe work is being extended rather than a complete different location of the pipe work then there should be no problem with this. How ever due to the distance of the radiator, the further away, the longer it will take to heat, but always keep in mind if it doesn’t heat up as quickly as the other radiators then the boiler may turn off and on more often. These radiator problems may require a plumber.
What will happen if I take away my radiator
When moving the radiator, as long as the central heating has not been drained down, there will be no further problems with the central heating.
I have a noisy radiator problems, what can I do
If you have noisy radiator problems, this can be due to lots of air getting into the system, this may be due to a number of issues, one of the main issues may be down to the central heating system needing a power flush or the pump pulling in air from the expansion pipe. Always ask a central heating engineer to come and give you a full central heating service.
How do I stop air from getting in to my radiator
The answer to this is in the above paragraph ‘I have a noisy radiator problems what can I do’ but another option may be is to have an automatic bleed valve.
My radiator has just sprung a leak, what can I do
If your radiator problems involve a sprung leak, then the only option is to turn the valves off at move ends. If you have a TRV then you will need to call an emergency plumber out but only applies if you have Wintery weather.
How do I stop my radiator from rusting
Too stop the radiator or to prolong it’s life, the best thing to do is use a chemical protect which you put into the central heating system.
My radiators are taking too long to heat, what can I do
If your radiator are taking to long to heat but others are working ok, then you may need to balance your central heating system by turning the hottest radiator down slightly and working onto the next hottest radiator.
My radiator is getting too hot what can I do
If your radiator is getting to hot then make sure you turn down the thermostatic radiator valve. If you don’t have one then get one fitted. In some cases a radiator that is too hot is down to a faulty thermostat which will need looking at. Try turn the central heating down on the boiler.
The valve attached to my radiator is leaking at the head, how do I stop this
Radiator problems with a leak on the radiator valve leaking at the head, then the best thing to do is to tighten up the gland. The gland is what looks like a nut that is between the body and the turning point that turns the valve on and off. It is advised that the valve is turned clockwise. But in rare occasions this may make the leak worse requiring an emergency plumber.
My radiator has fallen off the wall, is it safe to put it back
If the radiator has fallen off the wall, in most/all case it is not safe to put it make. This could be due to damage brackets or badly fitted screw. The problem may even be the strength of the wall that the bracket are again. You may need to call an emergency plumber for these type of radiator problems to make sure that the wall to radiator is fit for purpose.
How can I get an airlock out of my radiator
To get an airlock out of the radiator, the only option is to open up the radiator bleed valve. If theres no air or water coming out, this may be due to the type of system or there are further problems. You may need to call a plumber to solve this radiator problems.
How can I balance my radiator system
Balanced radiator problems. It is advised that the hottest radiator is turned down a notch or 2 then working on to the next hottest radiator until the coldest radiator gets up to the heat that you are looking for which is enabling the central heating to flow to the furthers away radiator.
How do I stop a leak under the radiator valve at the nut
4 out of 5 plumbing emergencies where there is a leaking nut under the radiator valve are fixed by nipping up the nut. These radiator problems is due to the shaped of the olive once knocked. If the valve has been previously over tightened and can not been tightened any more then you may need an emergency plumber to come to the rescue and drain the central heating down to fix the leak on these type of radiator problems.
Does having small radiator pipes have any negative effects on my radiator
Having smaller radiator pipes save on central heating cost and speeds up the heating process but can also have other problems where the flow is restricted and can be more prone to airlocks. With smaller pipes you may need to keep your central heating cleaner for better circulation.
Do I have to drain down the central heating to fix a leak on the radiator
If the leak is on the radiator, then the radiator valves can be turned off to solve this radiator problems. Do not open the bleed valve and wait about an hour so the leak will slow down once the water pressure is out and the air is trying to pull itself into the radiator at the same time as it leaking cause a neutral effect and the water leak stopping even though the radiator is still full of water.
Is it ok to turn of both radiator valve and take the radiator off the wall well I decorate
Yes, it is ok to turn both valves off and take the radiator off the wall, it is very important to make sure the room is not cold for the TRV to self open but is good practise to place some blanks over the open ends of the radiator valve solving this radiator problems. A good tip when undoing radiator valves is to use 2 pairs of grips when undoing the bigger nut.
What can I use to make my radiators run more better
To make sure the radiator runs to its best it is good practise to make sure the radiator water is clear. If the water is clear then you can use a chemical fluid to put into the central heating so that you get the most. It is very important to read the label on the product to make sure you are getting the right chemical.
Why is my radiator hot upstair but cold downstairs
If the radiators are getting hot upstairs but cold downstairs then this is most likely going to be the central heating pump. This will need to be either fixed or replaced.
