How To Bleed A Radiator
Identifying, when something is wrong with your central heating system, is very important, and should be taken seriously. The radiator often is get neglected because it works in the background of the busy home life, and nobody ever thinks to check on it. However, with a rise in boiler explosions due to undetected faults, it is essential to make yourself conscious of something not working quite right with your central heating system. A few of which may include:
Strange Sounds: If you hear any strange noises, this could mean there is an internal fault that requires attention. You won’t be able to discover it yourself, or perhaps be able to see where the noise is coming. The safest thing is to check simply if your radiators are functioning. However, even this can be dangerous when they get very hot. Therefore, the safest option is to call an engineer over to examine everything.
Water Noises: Hearing water gurgling sound from your radiator doesn’t necessarily mean you have to fear. In fact, this is a very prevalent problem. The solution is to bleed the radiators, as it is the trapped air that is causing the gurgling water. Bleeding the radiators can be done in about 5-10 minutes, but ensure you have a small container ready to catch any excess water that gets released from the radiator.
Humming: An odd ‘humming’ sound is also a typical problem with the typical central heating system. Humming typically caused by the pump sending the water around the system too fast, in which case it needs to be turned down to a slightly lower setting. There are also other internal issues that could be the cause so if in doubt call the engineer over to take a look.
Creaks: Most people had heard the central heating ‘creak’ as the house heats up when you have the central heating turned on. Creaks are due to the pipes rubbing on walls/ floor materials as they expand due to warmth. It is perfectly natural to hear some odd creaking sounds now and then when you turn the central heating system on. If you haven’t had it on for many months, you may then notice this noise more.
Of course, if you notice something is wrong with your central heating system, or even if it just sounds a bit different to usual, then it calls for bleeding. The best advice is to contact the engineer over to give it a thorough check and put your mind at ease. However, below are procedures in bleeding a radiator:
1. Ensure that the boiler is off by turning off the central heating thermostat.
2. Get a cloth or towel to catch water when bleeding radiators.
3. Be sure that valves on the radiator are in ON position. On thermostatic valves, it is completely in anticlockwise position.
4. Reverse bleeding valve using either flat screwdriver or radiator bleeding key. Just simply alter the valve anticlockwise by 2 or 3 turns. If you turn it too many times, you run a risk of valve shaft coming out. It is not fun attempting to put it back with water spilling everywhere!
5. With the valve open after 2-3 turns, wait for the air to vent. When water starts to drip on the valve just turn the valve off completely clockwise.
6. If you have a closed system, always remember to adjust it by using a filling loop as the systems pressure may decrease if there had been too much air in the central heating system. However, if your boiler has a pressure gauge, then it is most likely you have a sealed system.
In case you are ever doubtful about your central heating contact Gas Safe heating engineer to help you resolve your radiator problems.
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