Many households across Ireland often overlook a crucial task related to their radiators.
Radiators, often considered as mere furniture due to their ubiquitous presence in homes, require regular maintenance which is frequently forgotten.
It’s essential for homeowners to bleed their radiators to enhance their heating efficiency. I personally followed these steps and noticed a significant improvement in the speed at which my radiators warmed up. One radiator that was previously malfunctioning started working efficiently after being bled.
The experts at Hiatt Hardware have shared some valuable tips on how to bleed your home’s radiators.
Radiators can contain large volumes of water at scalding temperatures, so it’s crucial to switch off your heating and wait between 30 minutes to an hour before attempting to drain one.
Draining a radiator can be a messy task, so ensure you place towels and any water-catching utensils (like Tupperware tubs or buckets) beneath the pipes on either side of your radiator.
Next, you need to close off the thermostatic radiator valve and the lockshield valve on both sides of your radiator by turning them clockwise (using a spanner if necessary). Remember to count the number of turns it takes to fully secure these.
Once the thermostatic radiator valve is completely shut off, you can start disconnecting and loosening the nut that connects it to the radiator, which will cause a water leak.
Now, get your radiator valve key ready to insert into the bleed valve at the top of the radiator and begin turning it anti-clockwise. You’ll hear a hissing sound, which is the trapped air escaping. Allow a bit of water to follow the trapped air, and when the bleed changes from a small trickle to a steady flow, tighten the valve again.
After you’ve let out the trapped air, you can reopen the valves on both sides of your radiator and repeat this process for any other radiators that need attention. Once you’re done, switch your heating back on and enjoy the benefits of an efficient heating system.
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