I am struggling to get a couple radiators to work. What could be the problem?

JadeHighland

It mainly affects the two new radiators that were installed. One in the living room downstairs and the other in the upstairs bathroom. These were done by two different plumbers about a couple months apart during the summer. I'm using them for the first time now. 

I've bled all the radiators, topped up the boiler etc. I turned all the valves off downstairs and ran the heater, also done the same in reverse as I was told this forces air out. Along with some balancing, I had some success as one in the downstairs passage got a lot hotter than usual but the radiators in the bathroom and living remain don't get hot. Bathroom one is just cold (but have felt a little heat on other occasions) and the one in the living room is very mildly warm. 

Any ideas? 

Le_Kirk

Do the new radiators have TRVs fitted?  Are they unidirectional and have perhaps been installed "wrong way round"?  What did the installers say when you called them about the issue?

kinger101

Is the upstairs bathroom one electric?

JadeHighland

kinger101 said:

Is the upstairs bathroom one electric?

No, standard water radiator. 

JadeHighland

Le_Kirk said:

Do the new radiators have TRVs fitted?  Are they unidirectional and have perhaps been installed "wrong way round"?  What did the installers say when you called them about the issue?

Haven't called anyone about it. I've turned the TRVs the other way and nothing has changed 

Exodi

JadeHighland said:

These were done by two different plumbers about a couple months apart during the summer. I'm using them for the first time now. 

Presumably they tested them, it would be incredible if they both fitted them without testing their work.

If so, presumably they will want to charge to remedy since it sounds like they were installed many months ago.

Sounds like system might need to be bled (as the chances of two separate installers installing two TRV's incorrectly is slim to none, and you've mentioned testing the valves already).

Lorian

Check how open the lock shield valves are on the new ones.

WIAWSNB

Hi JH.
Photos, please, of the two valves on each rad.
And, please check the supply pipes to each as they enter the valves when the CH is running - which side is warm?

Albermarle

Lorian said:

Check how open the lock shield valves are on the new ones.

I was going to say the same.
OP - the lockshield valves are on the opposite side to the TRVs. You normally need to take off a small plastic cover and use a pair of pliers to open/close them.
Turn them anticlockwise as far as you can.

JadeHighland

Albermarle said:

Lorian said:

Check how open the lock shield valves are on the new ones.

I was going to say the same.
OP - the lockshield valves are on the opposite side to the TRVs. You normally need to take off a small plastic cover and use a pair of pliers to open/close them.
Turn them anticlockwise as far as you can.

Done this too. When I get home, I'll check if the actual pipes are warm and report back here

JadeHighland

WIAWSNB said:

Hi JH.
Photos, please, of the two valves on each rad.
And, please check the supply pipes to each as they enter the valves when the CH is running - which side is warm?

Doing this on my phone so forgive me if things are not clear. First picture and fourth picture is the bathroom radiator. It get mildly warm, sometimes feels cold. Assuming the left is the lockshield. I need a screwdriver to twist it and it's fully open. Pipes feel mildly warm. Pretty much room temperature. 

Other picture are from the living room. Top pipe leading to the TRV is cold. Bottom. Pipe is hot.