Is your radiator simply refusing to heat up on a chilly winter’s night? There are a number of reasons as to why this could be. Read on for help with what the root of the issue with your radiator could be.
Why Is My Radiator Cold When I Have The Heating On?
Your radiator may not be heating up due to a variety of reasons. This is often due to trapped air inside the system which should not be there. Trapped air stops the heating from working in your radiator as it prevents the water from circulating (and thus heating up).
When this happens, you can buy radiator sales online or you are best to contact an expert who would be able to bleed your radiator for you. This will release the trapped gas from your radiator and will allow normal circulation to resume.
Alternatively, you could have a jammed valve in your radiator. Again, this will prevent hot water from entering or circulating around the radiator, leaving you without heat. This can happen if you have turned the valve all the way down and left the heating off for a while.
In this instance, similarly to when there is trapped air in your radiator, the best thing to do is to contact an expert who can bleed the radiator for you. Once this has been done, your radiator should be working as normal.
In most instances, radiators that need to be bled due to trapped air or a jammed valve tend to be old radiators that have been used for a long time.
If you are regularly having to bleed your radiator, you are perhaps better off investing in a new one. Sites such as Trade Radiators are perfect for browsing for a new and sturdier radiator.
However, in some instances, issues with heating have nothing to do with radiators themselves but rather there is an issue with the central heating system itself. Be sure to check that your boiler is working as it should be before you start taking any steps to bleed your radiator.
Can I Bleed a Radiator Myself?
Bleeding a radiator by yourself is possible and will save you money as opposed to hiring someone to do the job for you. It is relatively easy to do and there are many tutorials online that will show you how to do this safely and effectively.
However, if you decide to bleed your radiator yourself, you must ensure that your central heating is switched off and that the radiators are cold. If you do not, you could get burned whilst trying to bleed the radiator.
Conclusion
Trying to suss out what the issue with your radiator is can be a bit of a confusing process. However, once you work out the root of the issue, the solution is often simple. If your radiator has trapped air or a jammed valve, you will simply need to bleed your radiator or open up the valve again. If this is a recurring issue, the best solution may be to replace the radiator completely.
Alternatively, if it seems to be a fault with your boiler as opposed to the radiator itself, you are best to contact your gas engineer for a solution.
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