Cold Radiators: A Trouble Shooting Guide

Are your radiators colder than you expect them to be? Do they have cold patches? If so, then there is something wrong. Now, before you rush out and panic-buy some new radiators, let us just set your mind at ease. In all likelihood, there is nothing wrong with your radiators. Cold radiators, and radiators with varying degrees of temperature, are common and are caused by a number of issues that you can easily fix. Below, you will find a step-by-step guide to help you address the problem.

Step 1: Make Sure the Radiator Is Switched On

For various reasons, the radiator might actually be switched off. This is where the inlet valve is tightened to its furthest possible position. This can happen for a number of reasons.

• First, it could be that the radiator is newly installed, and no one has bothered to open the valve yet.
• Second, it could be that it was switched off for summer, and now that the weather's getting cooler, you've forgotten to switch it back on.
• Thirdly, someone else might have switched it off - it's common for toddlers to mess around with radiator valves.

There could be any number of possibilities, but the first thing you need to do is check that the radiator is switched on.

Step 2: Check to See If the Radiator Needs Bleeding

If your radiator has patches of cold, then the most likely culprit is air in the system. To remove the air, you simply need to bleed the radiators. This is easy; you just need a bleed key and a small container to catch any drips.

Step 3: Make Sure the Radiator System Is Balanced

Another reason that can cause radiators to be unevenly warm/cold throughout the system is if the radiators are unbalanced. This means that there is more/less water in one radiator than there is in the others. Before you go rushing off to the radiator company for new radiators, contact a local plumber, and ask them to come and balance the system for you. You can do it yourself too, but you will need to take the time to learn how to do it.

Step 4: Make Sure the Radiators are Free from Rust and Debris

If you have cold patches towards the bottom of the radiator, this often indicates that there is debris in the system. Here, you will need to hire someone to flush the system. Be careful who you choose, because it can damage the pipes when not done properly.

As long as you follow these steps, it's highly unlikely that you will need new radiators. However, if you are interested in buying new radiators, please visit DRD