Home Emergency Book Vol 1 | Page 190

CENTRAL-HEATING PROBLEMS

193

RADIATOR NOT WORKING

1 Check valve

• Check that the valve at the bottom of the radiator is fully open.

2Check thermostats

• Look at the main central heating thermostat and the radiator’ s own thermostat( if present) to check that both are set correctly.

3Bleed radiator

• Install an air bleed key on the air bleed valve at one end of the top

of the radiator.

• Hold a cloth underneath the valve and turn the key counterclockwise

until you hear air hissing out.

• Turn the key clockwise as soon as water, which may be hot, starts

dripping out.

RADIATOR LEAKING

1 Find leak

• Pinpoint the source of the leak. Water can escape through a loose joint between the pipe and radiator; or through tiny holes in the radiator, caused by corrosion.

2Repair joint

• Tighten the nut with a pipe wrench.

• If water still leaks, turn off the heating and call a plumber.

3Seal small hole( s)

• Run a hose from the central heating drain valve( usually under the boiler or on the last radiator in the system) to a drain or sink, then drain the system. The sealant flows through and seals the leak.

• The sealant is only a temporary repair, so replace the radiator soon.

CIRCULATOR JAMMED

1 Find valve

• Turn off the circulator( this will be near the boiler) and find the bleed valve.

• Place a screwdriver in the bleed valve and have a cloth ready to catch the water that will be released when the air lock is released.

2Release air lock

• Expel any air from the circulator as if you were bleeding a radiator( see above).

• If the circulator is still jammed, call a plumber or central heating specialist.

Turn bleed valve to release air lock