Strange noises in your heating pipes? Banging or knocking sounds coming from your radiators?

Is your radiator cooler at the top than at the bottom or not giving out any heat? Its likely that it needs bled.

This is a simple and quick job, all you need is a radiator (or bleed) key, available from most hardware or DIY stores and an old container to catch any water spillage.

 

1. Turn off heating and allow radiators to cool

Turn off your central heating system and ensure the radiators are cold. Attempting to bleed radiators which are still hot could result in being scalded with hot water. When you bleed the radiator, a small amount of water will escape, the hotter your radiator is, the hotter this water will be.

2. Locate the bleed valve

Locate the bleed valve on your radiator. Most radiators have the valve to one side of the radiator, it can be on the top or bottom. Occasionally it will be located behind the radiator. You are looking for a small circular hole with a protruding metal square in the middle; the bleed key will fit snugly into it and usually it is easily accessible.

3. Preparation for bleeding

Place the bleed key into the bleed valve then place an old container under the valve, if your valve is in an awkward place, you may have to hold the container in position. Alternatively, place an old towel under the valve to soak up any water (as the water may be dirty or contaminated, do not use a towel that you intend to reuse).

4. Bleeding the radiator

Slowly turn the key anticlockwise (about half a turn should be enough) you may hear a hiss as air escapes, this is perfectly normal. Keep the valve open until water begins to trickle from the valve and you can no longer hear air escaping.

5. Close the valve

Now turn the bleed key clockwise, again about half a turn, be careful not to over tighten the valve.

6. Repeat the procedure

Repeat steps 1-5 for each radiator in your home that needs bled. If you are unsure as to whether a radiator requires bleeding you may as well bleed it as it wont do any harm.

7. Test your radiators

Turn on the central heating system and your radiators should be working correctly. There should not be any noise coming from the pipes or radiators and there should be no cold or cool spots on the radiators.

Its recommended that you bleed your radiators once or twice a year as air trapped in the radiator blocks the flow of water and makes the system run inefficiently. Thus costing you more.

Spending half an hour every six months will ensure your system runs efficiently, quietly and that your home stays warm.