Your radiators are pretty important features in your home, aren’t they? You depend on them to keep your home and family cosy and warm when it’s chilly.

For them to operate as they should, you need to take good care of them.

Radiators are reasonably low maintenance but there are a few essential things you must do to keep them running perfectly, heating your rooms for a long time to come.

Whether you have a column radiator, vertical radiator or cast iron radiator all around your home. It's important to take proper care of your radiator.

Here is a simple guide to how to take good care of your radiators.

Radiator Installation

There are a few no-no’s when it comes to radiators, but they are mistakes that many people make.

To make sure your radiator is at its best from the very first moment of installation:

Be careful not to place your radiator too close to your furniture – as the heat can damage your furniture when it’s too close, but it also stops the hot air from circulating properly around the room so won’t heat the space up effectively.

Check for cold spots every 1-2 months. If you find cold spots you will need to bleed the radiator

Do not dry clothes on your radiator. This can cause rust from the condensation from the damp clothes!

Radiator Maintenance

You need to keep your radiator clean; dust it regularly and make sure there is no rust, dirt or debris obstructing any vents or valves. Excess dirt and dust can impinge on the heat output.

You also need to keep the insides clean. Any system like this will need to be flushed out from time to time to ensure it’s working well. This might be a messy job so always hire a professional if you are unsure. If you would like to do it yourself, cover the ground below with plenty of towels to catch dirty water and most importantly, follow the radiator manufacturer’s guide/handbook.

Bleeding your Radiator

This is a vital process when it comes to good radiator maintenance.

If you find that your radiator has cold spots or is not heating up in an even manner, then it may mean that it has air trapped inside as your heating system is not working properly. If the hot water in the radiator isn’t circulating properly because of the trapped air, then everything is working harder to try and heat the room, so your energy bills will go up.

Bleeding your radiator is a simple fix that will solve this problem and keep your energy bills down, so it’s a must-do on the maintenance list. Check out our guide on how to bleed a radiator for step-by-step instructions and advice.

What You’ll Need to Bleed a Radiator

  • A radiator key or a flathead screwdriver
  • A cloth or towel
  •  

How to Bleed a Radiator

  • Bleeding a RadiatorFirst, turn off your heating and make sure the radiator has fully cooled down
  • Locate the bleed valve which all radiators are fitted with (check your manual)
  • Insert the key into the valve and turn it anti-clockwise (no more than a full turn)
  • Allow the air to escape by hissing through this valve – hold the towel/cloth underneath it to catch water
  • Once the water starts to trickle out, close the valve by turning the key clockwise.
  • Turn your heating back on and check your radiator is now heating up evenly!
  • Repeat as necessary

Repairing your Radiator

Radiators do occasionally malfunction – but the problems are often simple and can be easily fixed.

However, bear in mind that your radiator can be filled with scalding liquid when hot and it’s always best to get a professional engineer in to help if you’re unsure about how to solve a problem.

Common radiator problems include

  • Cold spots (solution: bleed it)
  • The whole radiator is cold
  • A radiator could be making strange noises (banging, hissing)
  • The radiator is cold on the bottom or middle and hot on the top

Possible solutions

  • If your whole radiator (and others in your home) is cold, it could mean there is a problem with the pump or the pump thermostat. Check them and reset them where necessary. Take a look at your radiators again, and if they are still cold, then you should call an engineer to take a look.
  • Check to see if your radiator is making odd noises, as it could be that the pipes are expanding (with the heat of the water running through) and are clanking. A hissing noise could mean that the radiator needs bleeding or that there is a fault with the pump.

It’s always a good idea to call a qualified engineer in the event of a problem you can’t see an easy solution for. If you’re not comfortable with home repairs or DIY, it’s best to leave it to the professionals and avoid any damage!! 

Don't forget to check out our handy BTU calculator that can help you find the best optimal heating for your home.

If you have any questions, please contact us as soon as possible. We have a team of experts waiting to assist you.