Radiator Problems
- Radiator problems with the room not getting warm enough
- Leaking radiators
- Not coming on
- Cold at the bottom of radiator
- Cold at the top of the radiator
- Knocking or banging sound when heating on
- Removing a radiator
- What is a Thermostatic radiator valve
- What is a lock shield valve
- Sludge in radiators
- keep having to get air out of radiator
- how do i choose the right radiator for my room
- different types of radiator
- radiators hot upstairs, cold downstairs
- what is a power flush
- balancing your radiators
- what are btu’s
Room not getting warm enough
This is normally down to the fact it’s an undersized radiator. If the radiator is really hot to touch after the heating’s been on for while and the room still doesn’t feel warm you need to increase size
Leaking radiators
The first sign normally is either a wet patch on the carpet or you are having to top the boiler up all the time. If the leak is not as obvious the leak maybe underfloor which can be more problematic. Also look for damp patches in ceilings if you are topping the boiler up all the time and can’t see a leak. There is a leak sealer for central heating systems if the leak cannot be located.
Not coming on
This is normally due to a faulty radiator valve. The valve probably needs replacing which involves a drain down of the heating system.
Cold at the bottom of the radiator
Sludge can build up in a central heating system, this normally settles around radiator valves causing poor circulation when the water is trying to run around your central heating system. If it’s just one radiator you may not need a full central heating clean, if it’s several radiators you are probably in need of a power flush.
Cold at the top of a radiator
The radiator problems normally need bleeding. Air can settle at the top of a radiator after a while and you need to bleed a radiator. Please click on link: https://youtu.be/rRi0FrHzrN8
Knocking or banging sound when heating on
Could be the TRV valve these can make really loud sounds if they are faulty. Give us a call to correctly diagnose the fault.
Removing a radiator
Both valves either side of the radiator need to be closed down. The TRV needs to be turned fully clockwise to isolate water coming into the radiator but also the lock-shield valve needs to be closed off on the other side to prevent water coming into the radiator. Then the radiator can be drained into a bucket.
What is a thermostatic radiator valve
A self regulating valve, it has settings 0-5 and regulates the flow of water running into the radiator. If the valve is turned fully anti-clockwise it will be at it’s highest temperature.
What it a lock-shield valve
This is the valve that has a blank cap fitted on the end. These are already set up by your heating installer and only need to be touched if draining a radiator
Keep having to get air out of the radiator
This could be down to sludge in the system, after a power-flush or change of pump normally alleviates the problem.
Choosing the right radiator for your room
A calculation can be made to get the right sized radiator for your room. If you click on this link and type in the room measurements it will give you the btu’s for the room. When choosing your radiator it will give you the btu’s as a figure next to the radiator.
Different types of radiator
- Single panel radiator: These have single fins normally installed in bedrooms as they don’t produce as much heat
- Double panel plus single convector: Medium sized heat, bedrooms or small lounge, living room
- Double convector double convector: Living room or lounge, produce the hottest output