Radiators cold at the top

SnowyOwl_2

My radiators on the first floor are cold at the top, but hot at the bottom. Does this mean I have to bleed them? If yes, do I have to bleed all of them?

And if the answer to the first question is that, no I don't have to bleed them, then what's the solution?

Thanks..brrrrrrr!!!

trafalgar_2

Yes ,bleed all the ones that are cold at the top

Godders

The other thing that we have to do in my house is introduce more pressure/water into the system.

Basically - if you are letting air out of the top (through the radiators bleed valve) then there is less overall pressure in the whole system. Whenever we bleed our radiators we have to open a tap from the mains into the central heating system and watch the pressure on the boiler as it creeps up. Without this there is not enough water pressure to get the hot water up to the 1st floor or to the top of the radiators. You may have to consider this.

beefster

Only if you have a combi boiler.
Bleed the rads ...... all of them to be sure you get all the air out. If whist bellding the air or water stops coming out then shut off the bleed and top up the system as above. Fill intil pressure on boiler reaches 1 bar and cont bleed. once all the air is out refill the system to between 1 and 1.5bar.

Have you got any inhibitor in the system..... this can prevent the build up of gasses which are usually due to the corrosion process. If not wait until the spring / summer and drain the system, flush it and add new water with inhibitor. Cheapest was available from Screwfix.

plumb1_2

And dont forget,turn your heating off while you bleed/vent you radiators.

plumb1_2

Why? I never have, what am I risking?

Because they would be a chance that you could draw more air into you system,depends on the type of system you have,and postition of the pump.
the same goes for combi,s,you will be dropping the pressure when letting the air out,so with the boiler on the water will be expanding and not giving a true reading on the pressure gauge, Every system is different,so the general rule is to knock the heating off,vent,then just switch back on.
OFF-VENT-ON
The question is WHY is there Air

Savvy_Sue

Because they would be a chance that you could draw more air into you system,depends on the type of system you have,and postition of the pump.
the same goes for combi,s,you will be dropping the pressure when letting the air out,so with the boiler on the water will be expanding and not giving a true reading on the pressure gauge, Every system is different,so the general rule is to knock the heating off,vent,then just switch back on.
OFF-VENT-ON

Thank you. A helpful answer which even makes sense.

As long as I don't have to let the whole system get cold before I start fiddling with my Allen key, I'm sure I can remember to do this!

The question is WHY is there Air

Indeed. I've always just put it down to 'just one of those things'. Check radiators at start of winter, bleed as necessary, occasionally put more water into system (usually when the boiler won't come on), tell a chap if the problem persists.

Meeten

ALso, make sure that you have some old rags, etc when you do this.

I didn't ,and when the air was released from the rads, water started coming out ..... BUT, if I had a few rags, could have used them to stop the dirty water hitting the pale carpets......

... live n learn!

Idiophreak

any mods to sort out this bumpy guy?

pennylane99

reported......