If your home is feeling colder than usual or your radiators have cold spots, the problem might not be your boiler at all. It could simply be trapped air in your system. Bleeding your radiators is a simple process that improves efficiency and ensures your heating works as it should. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process safely and explain why it is important.
What Does Bleeding a Radiator Mean?
When air becomes trapped inside your central heating system, it stops hot water from circulating properly. The result is radiators that are warm at the bottom but cold at the top, or heating that takes much longer to warm up. Bleeding your radiators releases that trapped air, helping your heating system run more efficiently.
If problems persist even after bleeding your radiators, it may point to a bigger issue that requires professional support. Our team provides expert boiler services in Birmingham, Dudley, Stourbridge, and Bromsgrove, covering everything from routine boiler servicing to urgent repairs.
How to Bleed Your Radiators
1. Identify the Problem
Switch on your heating and check each radiator in your home. If some areas feel colder than others or if you notice gurgling sounds, it is a clear sign that bleeding is needed.
2. Turn Off the Heating
Before you start, always switch off your boiler and let the radiators cool. This prevents hot water from spraying out and keeps the process safe.
3. Gather the Right Tools
You will need a radiator key available at most DIY stores, a small cloth or rag to catch drips, and a container for any water that escapes.
4. Release the Air
Fit the radiator key to the valve at the top corner of the radiator. Slowly turn it anticlockwise. You will hear a hissing sound as trapped air escapes. Keep the key steady and be prepared for a little water to follow.
5. Close the Valve
Once the hissing stops and water begins to flow steadily, tighten the valve again. Avoid overtightening as this can damage the valve.
6. Check Boiler Pressure
After bleeding radiators, your boiler’s pressure may drop. Check the pressure gauge on your system. It should typically sit between 1 and 1.5 bar. If it is too low, top it up using the filling loop as per your boiler manufacturer’s instructions.
When to Call the Experts
If your radiators still do not heat evenly after bleeding or if your boiler pressure keeps dropping, it is time to call in a professional. Our experienced heating engineers in Stourbridge, Birmingham, Dudley, and Bromsgrove provide:
- Routine boiler servicing to keep your system safe and efficient
- Fast response for boiler repairs in Birmingham, Dudley, Stourbridge, and Bromsgrove
- Full boiler installations and replacements when it is time for an upgrade
- Specialist care including LPG boiler service, LPG boiler repair, oil boiler services, and oil boiler repairs
Local Boiler Services You Can Trust
At Bog Standard Plumbing and Heating, we provide trusted boiler services in Birmingham, Dudley, Stourbridge, and Bromsgrove. From annual servicing to urgent boiler repairs, our heating engineers are here to help.
Call us today on 0330 1132 248 and we'll be happy to help.
