One of the space heating options available to building owners is radiators. If you rely on hot water radiators to make your home warm and comfy, especially when the chilly winter days creep in, you need to know how you can take proper care of the equipment. Here is a useful guide to help you keep your radiator equipment in good working shape all year round.
Bleeding your radiator
If your hot water radiators fail to get warm the way you would want, they might require bleeding. Bleeding is needed when pockets of air get trapped within the heating system, preventing the equipment from functioning well. So how does the air get trapped in the first place? The cold water in the system generally holds onto more air when compared to the hot water. Once the water is heated, that air is drawn out and rises upwards, often towards the radiators. When it reaches there, it can hinder the proper flow of water, resulting in some radiators staying cold.
To bleed your radiator, use a radiator key to open the bleed valve located close to the top of the equipment. But first, be sure to put a bucket beneath the valve and have a cloth so you can catch any squirts of water. Most valves can be opened with square-head keys, but some may be opened using a flathead screwdriver. Slowly turn the radiator key anti-clockwise. If trapped air is escaping, you should hear a sputtering or hissing sound. The next thing you should observe is water leaking from your valve. This is an indication that all the air has escaped, and a go-ahead to close the valve by turning the radiator key clockwise. Once proper water flow is restored, you can call it a wrap!
Flushing and cleaning
Your entire heating radiator system should be flushed and then cleansed with chemical additives to prevent it from acting up. This should be done once you realise that your equipment takes longer than usual to heat up or it is no longer giving out enough heat. Chemical inhibitors are added to the water in the system to prevent the radiators and associated pipework from corroding. The inhibitors should be used every time the system has been drained and before it is refilled. If your radiator equipment is flushed and cleansed correctly, they shouldn't cause problems. Failure to do the job using manufacturer-recommended chemical inhibitors can nullify your radiator warranties.
For more information, contact radiator services near you.
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