What is better than having a warm and comfortable environment during winter? If you live with children or elderly relatives, it’s a must to maintain a comfortable environment in your home.
But what if the radiator fails to perform its task properly? Of course, no one wants this ever to happen. But in case it happens – then, are you ready to tackle the situation?
There are various reasons why a radiator is not working correctly, and it’s important to know what to look out for. Homeowners may be able to address some of the issues on their own, but hiring a professional can help you better resolve the problem. With this guide, you can easily identify the problem in your radiator and take the necessary steps.
. Air pockets in the radiator
If you detect heat in the bottom of the radiator, but the top is cold, this means there is a problem in the air in the system. When this happens, the air takes the space designed for hot air and prevents the right circulation of air.
In order to fix this problem, you can use a radiator key to unscrew the bleed screw until you hear air hissing out. Continue until water appears, and then tighten the bleed screw. Check the boiler pressure after removing the air to make sure it is still within limits..
. Radiator Thermostat Has Malfunctioned
If the thermostatic radiator control valve has switched from being set on a temperature to being turned off, this issue can arise. If a higher temperature is selected, the valves will seize in a closed position.
You can quickly check this by removing the valve’s top cover. Knurled nuts are usually used to secure valves, and you can remove them by hand. However, you must be careful not to remove any of the valve’s other nuts. Otherwise, you may discover water gushing everywhere! Make sure the center pin moves up and down a few millimeters after removing the valve cover.
As soon as you try to move it, you will find that the pin has become stuck. Gently taping it can help you move it again when needed. If you’re unable to do this, you may have to replace the valve from the ground up. Hiring a professional for this job is always a good idea to be on the safe side.
. Debris, Sludge, Or Obstructions
The radiator may occasionally be hot on top but cool on the bottom for no apparent reason. This indicates that the radiator is clogged with debris, sludge, or both. The bottom of the radiator is clogged, blocking the flow of hot water. The safest and most efficient method to deal with this issue is to seek professional guidance.
. A Leakage In The Radiator
If there’s a radiator leak, you need to replace your radiator. However, depending on the severity of the problem, external sealers and leak sealers may be useful. Corrosion is a common cause of leaks, indicating that your system requires cleaning. However, this is the worst-case situation.
A loose nut can also cause leaks at the valve connection point or the pipe-to-radiator joint. You can fix this issue simply with a monkey wrench. A leak in the radiator is apparent, and it is best to get in touch with an expert if there is any water running out of the system.
. Fault In The Diverter Valve
You may be experiencing a problem with a diverter valve if the controls are not operating correctly and the pressure is correct, but there is still no flow.
Controlling the flow of hot water to either your taps or heating is done by a motorized valve in the boiler. If you turn on your heater and require hot water from the tap, the valve will prioritize heated water to run to the taps. Having hot water from the taps but no heat at the radiators could indicate a clogged diverter valve. It is best left to an engineer if this is the issue behind your radiator not working.
. A Problem With The Central Heating Control
Although this issue is rare, it can happen. Even though your boiler appears to be operating normally and the pressure is within the limit, the radiators are still not working. This could be a problem with the electronic control panel, which may be a malfunction, which leads to inconsistency in your central heating system’s timing and signaling. You also need to check your timing control to see if this is a reason for your radiator not working. Select the “on” demand to ensure that it heats your radiator.
You’re not supposed to mess with the control panel settings to find out what’s wrong. By doing this, you could end up making things worse and more expensive. Instead, you could seek the assistance of an expert who has the experience to resolve the problem.
. Low Boiler Pressure
Combi boilers are pressurized between 1 and 2 bars in a closed-loop system. As a result, you will not be able to heat your home correctly if your system isn’t precisely pressurized. You may check the boiler’s pressure by looking at the cylinder head or the front of the boiler (often found in airing cupboards). There is a top-up valve that you may turn if you notice that your water pressure is low, but be careful; you don’t want to allow too much water into the system, and you must turn the valve off when finished.
. There’s A More Significant Issue With Your Home’s Heating System
It’s possible that the problem isn’t with your radiators at all, but rather with your entire central heating system. To ensure that your central heating system is functioning properly, you should perform a test run. If the radiator is not heating up could signify a more significant problem.
Look through your central heating system to see if any issues need to be addressed. Has the noise coming from your boiler started to annoy you? You should contact a professional expert.
Takeaway!
These are some of the most frequent causes of radiators not working. Hopefully, you’ve discovered the different radiator problems. If you aren’t sure what the issue is, you should always seek help from a professional.
It’s always a wise choice to prepare a reputable brand’s smart thermostat that can connect with your radiator and allow you to maintain the room’s temperature remotely while lowering the utility bills.
