How do I bleed my radiator? We asked a plumbing expert for their top tips

By Scarlett Dargan For You Magazine 15:04 16 Oct 2024, updated 15:04 16 Oct 2024

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This week’s weather proves winter has officially arrived, which means many of us will (begrudgingly) be flicking the heating on for the first time in a while. And it seems there’s one question on everyone’s mind while doing so: ‘How do I bleed a radiator so it works properly?’

The query is Google’s most searched ‘how to’ question this week, suggesting lots of us are struggling with poorly functioning radiators. It makes sense: radiators need bleeding when they get trapped air inside them which stops heat distributing properly, and this often happens when they’ve been left off for a long time (like all of summer).

While it’s not the most glamorous of jobs, there are plenty of reasons bleeding your radiator should top your to-do list. Trapped air at the top of your heater makes it less efficient and increases your energy bill, as the system pumps more power to try and make up for the cold trapped air.

Luckily, with a few tips, bleeding your radiator is actually pretty straightforward. YOU asked Ryan Calvert, product expert at leading DIY store Hiatt Hardware, for advice on how to tackle the task as effectively as possible. Here’s his quick guide to get you sorted before the frosty weeks ahead.

For starters, you need to check if your radiator actually needs bleeding. Overdoing it doesn’t just cause an unnecessary mess; it also can reduce the pressure of your boiler, and eventually lead your central heating system to shut off.

‘If you have found that your radiators are taking longer than normal to heat up or make odd gurgling noises, you could have trapped air in your unit,’ says Ryan. ‘The quickest way to check is to turn your central heating on and feel your radiator. If it is warm at the bottom but cold at the top, or has patches that just aren’t heating up, this is generally a sign that air is present.’

You might be saying ‘Duh?’, but an incredible number of people try to fiddle with their heating system while it’s still running, Ryan says. ‘Radiators hold a lot of water at scalding temperatures,’ he advises, ‘so it’s essential you turn off your heating before attempting to try and drain one.’ You’ll need to flick your heating off at least 30 minutes before you begin bleeding your radiator, but it’s preferable to leave an hour’s gap.

This is a step people often overlook in their eagerness to get the job done, but bleeding your radiator can easily turn into a messy job without the right prep, Ryan warns. ‘You’ll need to place water-catching utensils like Tupperware tubs or buckets underneath the pipes on either side of your radiator,’ he suggests. Water will stream out quite quickly, so it’s also worth putting a towel down to mop up any sudden splashes.

Your radiator likely has a thermostatic valve (the little knob that lets you change the heat level on the side) on one side and a lockshield valve (a plastic-covered valve that controls the water flow to the radiator) on another. To prevent too much water escaping or a drop in boiler pressure, you’ll need to close both of these off before bleeding your radiator.

To do so, Ryan explains, locate both the valves and start turning them clockwise, using a spanner if necessary. ‘It’s important to keep track of how many turns it takes to secure these fully,’ he says. Once the thermostatic radiator valve is fully shut off, you’re ready to start loosening the nut to create a water leak.

To release the bleed valve, you’ll need a radiator valve key (if you’ve lost yours, you can pick one up from Hiatt Hardware for around 60p). ‘Insert the key into the bleed valve at the top of the radiator,’ Ryan says ‘and start to turn anti-clockwise.'

‘You’ll hear a hissing noise, indicating that the trapped air is escaping the radiator. Let a little water follow the trapped air, then when the bleed turns from a small trickle to a steady flow, tighten the valve again by turning the valve key clockwise.’

‘Once you’ve released the trapped air, you can reopen the valves on either side of your radiator,’ Ryan says. To do so, turn the valves anticlockwise the same amount of times it took to secure them (as you noted down during step 3).

You can repeat the process with any of your radiators that have cold spots, and they’ll instantly work more efficiently once you’re done. Your energy bill (and frosty toes) will thank us!

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