How to bleed a radiator
Bleeding a radiator is a simple DIY job that can easily be done in a few minutes.
Q: How do you know if your radiator needs bleeding?
A: The radiator will be warm at the bottom and cooler at the top.
Trapped air in thesystem prevents the heated water from circulating around the radiator fully and so the radiator often feels warmer at the bottom.
Care should be taken when bleeding radiators as the radiator and contents can be hot and can scald if not careful.
Key steps
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Ensure that the central heating is in the off position.
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Obtain a radiator bleed key and a colth or some kitchen towel to catch any drips.
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Open the bleed key by turning it anti-clockwise.
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When water comes out of the bleed valve, turn the bleed key clockwise to close the valve.
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If no air or water come out of the bleed valve when it is opened you may need to top up the system with water.
If you find that your radiators require bleeding regularly then you have a problem with your system, which needs investigating.
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Radiator Bleed keys are normally made from soft metals, such as Brass or Aluminium. |
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To bleed the air from the radiator turn the key anti-clockwise. Then retighten the key when water appears. |
