How to bleed a radiator?

MissMotivation

Can someone who knows anything about DIY explain to me in words of less than one syllable (lol) how to bleed a radiator. At least I think thats what needs doing, basically I have 5 radiators in my house, 2 are fine, one is lukewarm and the two upstairs ones are stone cold at the top and lukewarm at the bottom.

Help please.......where is a man when you need one?

weekendwarrior

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/bleeding_a_radiator.htm

denise_h_2

Easy - you need a radiator key, which is inserted at the top on the narrow edge. There should be a small spindle visible that the key slots over. Turn the key to loosen the valve. After a few seconds it should start hissing when the air is being released, followed by water. At this point quickly tighten the valve. You should notice a difference straight away. If the radiator has been painted it may be that the valve has been covered over so you may need a bit of force to move the key the first time but it should be easy after that

MissMotivation

denise_h wrote: »

Easy - you need a radiator key, which is inserted at the top on the narrow edge. There should be a small spindle visible that the key slots over. Turn the key to loosen the valve. After a few seconds it should start hissing when the air is being released, followed by water. At this point quickly tighten the valve. You should notice a difference straight away. If the radiator has been painted it may be that the valve has been covered over so you may need a bit of force to move the key the first time but it should be easy after that

Does this need to be done when the C/Heating is off? Do they radiators have to be cold?

weekendwarrior

1. Ensure that the central heating is switched off before bleeding or this can introduce even more Air into the system.
2. If you have a header tank ensure that the water supply is not isolated to this tank! If you have a boiler which requires manually topping up like a combi then top it up after and possibly during bleeding (depending on how much pressure there is left in the system)
3. Ensure both valves at the bottom of the radiator are open.
4. Using a radiator bleed Key insert it onto the Brass bleed screw at the top of the radiator.
5. Have some kitchen towel or a cloth to catch any drips and slowly turn the key anti-clockwise, about half a turn. You should hear hissing, which is air being forced out by the water.
6. As soon as water squirts through the bleed screw, re tighten it and make sure it is not leaking before moving on to the next radiator!
7. Repeat this on all radiators.

JMC39

Does anybody know how to top up a combi boiler - I expect this is something I will have to do with mine.

FBThree

My combi boiler has a small tap on the inlet pipe which we need to open up for a short while if the bar pressure goes down. This is on the pipework underneath the boiler - my plumber made sure it was accessible.

Canucklehead

JMC39 wrote: »

Does anybody know how to top up a combi boiler - I expect this is something I will have to do with mine.

Good morning: Advice is available here http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/TOPPING_UP_A_COMBI_BOILER.htm or altenatively check your user manual.

HTH

Canucklehead