Knowing how to care for the radiators throughout your home is essential so that you have access to heating as soon as you need it. Checking your heating system regularly for any issues, as well as cleaning and bleeding your radiators means you can keep your home warm and cozy. It can also help you to avoid any costly heating and maintenance bills. So, whether that means bleeding your column radiator or cleaning your towel radiator, be sure to make time to look after the heating in your home.
Health checks
Throughout your radiator’s lifetime, you’ll need to carry out some regular health checks to make sure that they are working effectively, so you can turn your radiators on whenever you need to and avoid any issues. Be sure to familiarise yourself with your radiators and your heating system. Learn how your boiler works, so you can identify anything that is not quite right in the future. It is also worth checking where your stopcock is in case of emergencies.
Take the time to turn off your radiators – when you turn them back on, go around the house and feel your radiators to see if they are heating up as they should. This can help you locate any issues within the heating system, like cold spots and blockages. Some of the issues that you may come across can be fixed with a bit of know-how, but for others, you may need an engineer to help you.
Servicing
You must stay up to date with your servicing, whether that’s your boiler or your radiators. A heating engineer can be called to check your boiler to make sure it is working as it should and will then take the time to help you diagnose any problems with radiators or within the heating systems, so you can get them repaired. They can replace parts, and generally ensure that you’re going to get the most from your heating. Taking the time to schedule a service means your system will work more efficiently, and you’re less likely to have to replace your radiator or boiler.
Bleeding a radiator
Knowing how to bleed your radiator is a valuable skill to have. If you think that one of your radiators is cold, even when the heating is turned on, it is probably due to hair being trapped inside, which indicates that you need to bleed it. It is a simple task:
- Make sure that both the intake and exit valves are turned to the ‘open’ position.
- Open the bleed valve with a radiator key
- Turn the valve anti-clockwise and it will start to hiss due to the air coming out of the radiator. Make sure you catch any water with a cloth or bucket.
- When the drips turn to a steady stream, close the valve.
Learning to bleed your radiator is important when it comes to maintenance and means you can look after your radiators without the help of an engineer.
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Cleaning
It’s something that a lot of us may overlook, but it is necessary to clean your radiator so you can benefit from maximum efficiency. Radiators can become dusty, which can affect their performance, so not only will they look better when you’re done, but they will also give out more heat. You should use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of any dust on the radiator and give it a wipe over with a feather duster. You can use a damp cloth to get rid of any dirt or dust and be sure to dry it with a clean cloth to reveal a shiny, clean surface.
Making sure that you take the steps to look after your central heating system in your home means that you are less likely to come across any issues, saving you money and allowing you access to heating as and when you need it.
