Step by Step Guide To Bleeding Your Radiators

Your radiators need occasionally bleeding, to remove air that is introduced into the central heating system. If your radiators are getting cold at the top but stay hot at the bottom, this is probably due to air collecting at the top. You have to bleed them to let our the air and fill the space with hot water, so your central heating system works properly. Read our step by step guide to bleeding your radiators for more information…

Step by Step Guide To Bleeding Your Radiators

Bleeding your radiators is simple when you follow our guide:

• Turn off the central heating system
• Place a towel underneath the radiator valve to keep water off the floor
• Locate your radiator bleed valve – it usually has a “screw” that your radiator key fits into – the other end is a metal blanking plate.
• Turn the key anti-clockwise slowly, about a quarter turn.
• Wait for any hissing to stop, and water to start to run from the hole
• Turn the valve off again

It’s now safe to turn your heating back on again. Leave it a few minutes and go back to the radiator after it has been left to heat up for an hour. If it is consistently heated at the top as well as the bottom then you can give yourself a pat on the back: you have successfully sorted the problem!

What if the Radiator is Cold at the Bottom?

Bleeding the radiator will not solve this problem, which is most likely to be caused by a build-up of sludge in the radiator. You will possibly need to have your central heating system power flushed to sort it out.

If A Bleed Doesn’t Fix The Problem…

If bleeding the radiator does not work, it’s time for you to call a heating services specialist such as L&W Heating and Plumbing to take a look. Call us on a local number below:-

Plumbers Wigan 01942 417220
Plumbers St Helens 01744 776140
Plumbers Warrington 01925 394260
Plumbers Newton Le Willows 01925 394260
Plumbers Altrincham 01925 394260