Noticed cold spots in your bathroom radiator? Does it make strange gargling sounds or fail to warm up when turned on? It likely needs bleeding, and luckily, this is a simple job you should be able to do yourself with materials you already own.
Bleeding releases trapped air in your radiator, allowing water to flow throughout. Air naturally builds up in the system and is normally not a problem, but if it happens regularly, it could be that the radiator has a
leak or needs replacing. Ideally, you should bleed your radiators roughly every
few months, or after a long period without use (such as at the end of summer).
By bleeding your radiator, you can ensure it produces sufficient heat, keeps
your central heating system efficient, and in turn lowers your energy bills.
What do I need to bleed a radiator?
To bleed your radiator, you need a radiator key. If you
don’t have one, modern radiators can often be bled with a screwdriver or Allen
key. Otherwise, radiator keys can be cheaply sourced from hardware stores. You
will also need a bucket or container to catch the water, an old towel, and
possibly pliers if your valve caps do not easily twist.
How do you bleed a bathroom radiator?
- First, turn
off the heating and allow the radiator to cool before trying to bleed it. You
cannot bleed a radiator when the heating is on.
- Next, turn
the valves anticlockwise to allow water to flow into the radiator. This may
involve removing the cap or using pliers to turn them.
- Then find the
bleed valve. There should be two valves on top of your radiator, one is plain,
and the other has a square screw in the centre and a small spout or hole in the
side – this is the bleed valve. Water will be released from the hole, so set up
a bucket and towel to contain it.
- After this,
take your radiator key or screwdriver and slowly turn the screw until you hear
a hiss – this is the air releasing. Make sure not to open the valve all the way,
or you will depressurise your boiler. Water should flow out of the bleed valve
and into your container. Once you no longer hear the air hissing, quickly close
the valve.
- The final
step is to check that your boiler is pressurised. Your boiler pressure should
be between 1.0 and 1.5 when the heating is off, and up to 2 when the heating is
on. If it has dropped beneath this, you will need to repressurise it. You can
do this by following the instruction manual for your boiler model.
You will know you have correctly bled your radiator if it
now heats consistently, and your pressure does not greatly drop.
How often should you bleed a radiator?
You should be bleeding your radiators at least once a year,
before you start to use your heating in autumn.
If bleeding does not resolve the issue, you may have a
problem with your boiler and you are best off calling a professional.
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