Radiator problems

Nile

Hello NewSue


Welcome to the MSE site.:wave:

coolagarry

Sue I just had the same problem recently.
I intend to remove the radiator and clean it out in the better weather but for the moment I opened the valve at the other end of the radiator completely and turned all the radiators to their highest.
That seems to have done the trick (I think it made the water move around the system faster and cleared the blockage).
I realise it has only moved the sludge around but it will give me a hot bedroom until I can do it properly in the summer.

Moss5

The temperature of radiators can be influenced by the boiler thermostat setting. Look at the control on the boiler and see if it can be increased. Never a good idea to go to maximum.

robv_3

Moss5 wrote:

The temperature of radiators can be influenced by the boiler thermostat setting. Look at the control on the boiler and see if it can be increased. Never a good idea to go to maximum.

Why not set it to maximum? The three boiler manufactures I have worked with always recommended it was.

Moss5

New boilers with clean systems/heat exchangers, correctly balanced and with optimum pump speed selected may be set to maximum.
Your point of view may be expressed without repeating other posts.

NewSue

Thanks again - I live in Edinburgh so maybe thats why its more expensive! At least I have guidelines now - thank you.

NewSue

coolagarry wrote:

Sue I just had the same problem recently.
I intend to remove the radiator and clean it out in the better weather but for the moment I opened the valve at the other end of the radiator completely and turned all the radiators to their highest.
That seems to have done the trick (I think it made the water move around the system faster and cleared the blockage).
I realise it has only moved the sludge around but it will give me a hot bedroom until I can do it properly in the summer.

Thanks for this - I intend to try it after work tonight - cant believe the response I've had to my question - its great to know there are friends out there who will take the trouble to reply to help others. Thank you!

NewSue

Thanks to all who gave me advice on my radiator problems (Hot at top, cold at bottom) Fortunately it wasnt sludge! Motorised valve was sticking on causing the pump(and the boiler I think!) to stay on 24/7. Pump was under two years old but was making lots of noise and ball bearings inside ruined. Heating engineer spent 2 hours - changed pump and motorised valve (3 to choose from and he didnt know which to choose!!!) Charged me £317 (ouch!) but at least my heating was working .............. or was it? Motorised valve was STILL sticking on! He said he was a plumber not an electrician (although he was advertising as a heating engineer) and that I would have to call out an electrician! Radiators all working fine at this stage but he said it would burn out another pump if it wasnt sorted. 2nd guy came and said I should only have 2 motorised valves (one for heating and one for hot water) and he disconnected one (said as it was two cottages knocked into one that I only needed one hot water tank and it was connected to two tanks) Must admit (touch wood) its been fine - only restriction is that I cant have the heating on without the hot water though I can do vice versa (eg in the summer months) Both guys said I needed to consider a combi boiler! My knowledge of plumbing has increased and I think I'll become a plumber in my next life cos they both charged about £60 an hour!!!!!!!!!! Any millionaire plumbers out there - will be pleased to read your comments!