Do your radiators never seem to get warm when your heating is on?
- By P BUFFHAM
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- 02 Oct, 2016
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Have you found that some of your radiators are not working properly? Maybe its just cold at the bottom or the top? Or cold all over?
Sometimes the most obvious things can be the answer so first thing I would recommend is to double check that your heating system is actually switched on. If everything is switched on and working ok and they are still cold, it looks like you have a wider problem with the boiler or heating system, however some problems can be easily resolved.
There are 2 common problems with radiators, either they are cold at the top and warm at the bottom. Or cold at the bottom and warm at the top.
If they are cold at the top?
If your radiator is cold at the top and warm at the bottom the likely hood is that you have some air bubbles trapped inside. This prevents the heat from rising to the top of the radiator. This can usually be solved quickly and easily by bleeding the radiators. This is a simple task if you have the right tools at hand, and will only take a matter of minutes.
If they are cold at the bottom?
This can be a more complex situation and it usually means that a thick layer of sludge will have gathered in the bottom or your radiator which prevents it from heating properly. It also means that your system is probably working twice as hard to try to get it warm, and increasing your gas bills. This can be resolved by removing the radiator from the wall and its plumbing and cleaning it through. If it’s a wider problem we would recommend that you have something called a power flush which will clean out your entire system, and its also a great way to prevent this from happening in the future and prevent further breakdowns.
If you have any concerns please call the PBC Plumbing today and we can assess any problems and offer a free no obligation quote.
Do you need a power flush for your central heating system? What are they, and what are the benefits?
So what is a power flush? This is a process where a substance is flushed through the system, which removes deposits of sludge, rust and any other debris that has gathered in the pipework and radiators. If your system is left untreated it could seriously affect the efficiency of your heating system, and in severe cases require a new system altogether.If the rust on radiators or pipework is left to deteriate and is untreated, then small pinholes can form in the radiators and the oxide sludge can fall through. Oxide sludge is like a black muddy oil so will damage anything that it comes into contact with. So it will stain carpets, flooring or work tops.
Some of the signs you might need a power flush:
· Cold areas on radiators, usually the bottom.
· Discoloured brown / black water when bleeding radiators.
· Excessive noise from your boiler or pipework.
· Heating is slow to warm up in your home.
· Radiators are not hot, when the pipework is hot.
The benefits of having a power flush:
· Improve system efficiency – due to improved circulation and radiators warming up quicker.
· Boiler won’t work as hard, so over time saving money on gas bills.
· Radiators will produce more heat.
· Quieter boiler and pipework in your home.
· Even heat distribution throughout your home.
· Less risk of breakdowns in the future.
If you think your system would benefit from power flushing or have any questions then please give us a call for expert advice at PBC Plumbing, Heating & Electrical on 01323 654843.
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Did you know that if you don’t get your boiler serviced on an annual basis you could put yourself at risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning? Some of the main cause of carbon monoxide poisoning are below:
· Poorly installed appliances
· Blocked flues
· Insufficient ventilation
· Poorly serviced appliances
All of these can contribute to the problem, and Carbon Monoxide poisoning is known as the secret killer, you can’t smell it, see it or taste it and it can cause serious health implications and in some cases even death.
Common symptoms include:
· Headaches
· Nausea
· Dizziness
· Breathlessness
· Drowsiness
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and think you could have carbon monoxide poisoning then turn of all your gas appliances immediately, leave the house to get clean air, and seek medical advice, then call a Gas Safe registered engineer to make your home safe. At PBC Plumbing, Heating and Electrical we will come and carry out safety checks on all appliances and repair any issues to make your home safe again.
Ultimately this is why its so important to have your boiler regularly serviced by a registered Gas Safe engineer, and we recommend you do this once a year to prevent any potential health risks in your home.