If a radiator feels warm lower down but cold across the top, there's air trapped inside it. Bleeding it releases that air so hot water can fill the whole panel again.
What you'll need
A radiator bleed key, an old cloth and a small container. Nothing more than that.
The steps to follow
Work through them in this order:
- Turn the heating off and let the whole system cool down fully.
- Start with the radiator furthest from the boiler, and in a two-storey house do the upstairs radiators last.
- Fit the key onto the bleed valve at the top of the radiator and turn it a quarter turn anticlockwise.
- Let the hissing air escape until water starts to flow steadily, then close the valve firmly without overtightening it.
- Repeat for each radiator, then check the boiler pressure gauge afterwards and top up to around 1.2 bar if it's dropped.
If bleeding doesn't help
A radiator that's still cold underneath after bleeding has sludge rather than air trapped inside, and needs a chemical cleanse or power flush instead. If you'd rather hand it to someone qualified, we work right across Halesowen, Stourbridge, Dudley and the wider West Midlands, and we book urgent repairs in fast, usually next day.
Want it done for you?
If you want your plumbing or heating problem fixed professionally for you, contact IJS Trade Services today for fast, reliable service across the West Midlands and surrounding areas.
