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picBLEEDING A RADIATOR

(Do not do this if you are on a District Heating System)

 

Bleeding a radiator

  1. General Advice
  2. What You Need
  3. What To Do

General Advice

  1. If the top part of the radiator is cold, this is because air is trapped in the system. Bleeding the radiator releases this air and allows hot water to fill the whole system.
  2. Check what type of boiler you have. DO NOT bleed the radiators if it is a combination boiler. If you have a condensing boiler you will not have a storage tank or hot water cylinder. Types of combination boilers are: Worcester (all types), Potterton Lynx, Ferroli, Potterton, Puma, Gloworm Swift Flo, Vokera, and any District Heating System.
    If you have any doubts call us to check.
  3. Always turn off the heating system before bleeding a radiator, otherwise the pump will draw more air into the system.
  4. If the whole radiator is cold, make sure it is turned on by checking that the radiator valve is open. If it is turned on, it will need to be checked by a plumber.
  5. If more than one radiator is cold, the whole heating system will need to be checked by a plumber. Contact us.

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You Need

  1. Special radiator key
  2. Rag or cloth
  3. Bucket

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What To Do

  1. Check what type of boiler you have to see whether it is safe to bleed the radiator. See General Advice.
  2. Turn off the heating system before you start work.
  3. The bleed valve is the small square nut at the top end of the radiator.
  4. Place the key over the valve and hold the cloth around it to catch any water.
  5. Gently turn the key anti-clockwise a couple of turns until you hear a hiss - this is the air being released.
  6. When the water starts to come through, turn the key back clockwise to shut the valve off.
  7. Take care not to unscrew the valve completely as the plug will come right out and hot water too.
  8. If the problem keeps occurring please call us.

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General Advice | What You Need | What To Do

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