Bleeding radiators

[suityou01]

The rad in our bedroom is not working. SY06 is due in 3 weeks so I would like to get this fixed. As I am tight I don't want to pay a plumber.

The rad valve to the left of the radiator was seized, and the themostatic valve which sits on top of the pin was corroded. I have freed it with some WD40 and now the pin can be depressed with my thumb and when I release it returns. It is weeping slightly though which may well explain the corrosion in the theromostatic valve.

The stop valve at the other end of the radiator has been fully opened and the radiator bleeds ok (I think - slow dribble).

However the frakin thing just won't come on. I suspect either a gummed up valve or air lock. I have tried turning off all the other rads to try and clear the suspected air lock. Still no joy.

I have tried tapping the radiator all the way along in case this shifts something. Still no joy.

So when you bleed a radiator should it piss out like a stallions first pee of the day or be more of a dribble? Could the rad valve (the weeping one) be faulty? Ie full of chalk?

Any ideas?

 

[Troll]

You need to address the weeping valve

Drain the system down sufficient to remove fluid from the upper circuit
Remove and replace both valves
Take rad outside and flush with hosepipe
Refill with Fernox or similar
sorted


Shouldn't take more than a morning to do & anything else is just faffing about

 

[Fred Bloggs]

Yes, I think Troll has it nailed. I'm a big fan of Fernox too, it is fantastic stuff. You need a new TRV anyway, the leak will only get worse and it will stick again.

 

[suityou01]

You need to address the weeping valve

Drain the system down sufficient to remove fluid from the upper circuit
Remove and replace both valves
Take rad outside and flush with hosepipe
Refill with Fernox or similar
sorted


Shouldn't take more than a morning to do & anything else is just faffing about

I now have the rad working. Shutting of all other rads did the trick. I do not take the weeping valve lightly. What is the chances of waiting this out until the more clement weather before draining down or is this a FIX IT NOW type of problem?

Yes, I think Troll has it nailed. I'm a big fan of Fernox too, it is fantastic stuff. You need a new TRV anyway, the leak will only get worse and it will stick again.

Is Fernox what the previous plumber called "inhibitor"? He said he put that in.

Thanks all for the quality replies. Have 10 Suityou01 bedwetting points each.

 

[Troll]

I now have the rad working. Shutting of all other rads did the trick. I do not take the weeping valve lightly. What is the chances of waiting this out until the more clement weather before draining down or is this a FIX IT NOW type of problem?



Is Fernox what the previous plumber called "inhibitor"? He said he put that in.

Thanks all for the quality replies. Have 10 Suityou01 bedwetting points each.

it isn't exactly -20c below outside at the moment so with a sprog due to land shortly I would do it before rather than later

Like I said a morning should do it

 

[Fred Bloggs]

This is the Fernox stuff, it really helps to keep central heating systems working well. I tend to drain the water down enough to empty the head tank and clean it out about every 5 years or so, you'd be surprised how much gunk collects in there over the years even when using Fernox. Then when refilling I just tip a bottle of Fernox into the tank as I'm refilling. Drain down a bit more to draw the Fernox into the system and that's it for another 5 years. Works a treat.

 

[xoggoth]

Radiators? Pah. Leave the heating on all the time or wait 2 hours for the house to warm up. Sane people use warm air. No probs, apart from constantly patching the flue with chewing gum.

 

[Zippy]

But you have tried bleeding the radiators haven't you? I mean really tried?

There's never a norrahe around when you need one

PS - looking forward to the baby news

 

[norrahe]

But you have tried bleeding the radiators haven't you? I mean really tried?

There's never a norrahe around when you need one

PS - looking forward to the baby news

 

[mudskipper]

But you have tried bleeding the radiators haven't you? I mean really tried?

There's never a norrahe around when you need one

PS - looking forward to the baby news

It's like the witches of Eastwick!