Radiator NOT Heating Up? Expert DIY Fixes

Do you have a cold radiator that needs fixing? Would you like to try fixing it yourself? Then look no further.

Roger troubleshoots that problem radiator.

How to fix that one cold radiator - Plumbing Tips
"If you have a radiator that isn't getting hot, a few things are potentially happening.

"Your central heating might be on, and your other radiators are warm, but you have one cold radiator.

"If you feel the radiator and you find that there are cold spots but that it's getting warm at the top then the problem is sludge which is basically the system corroding away, which is building up a layer of sludge which is oxide in the bottom of the radiator which means the water isn't able to find its way through. If the problem isn't too severe you can inject a little bit of sludge remover or system cleanser into the radiator and let that run around the system for a few weeks and then drain the system. If you can't do that, the next step is to take the radio down and take it outside to be flushed through with a hose. If that isn't effective the next option is a power flush.

"Another common problem is air collecting along the top of the radiator which means that the bottom is hot and the top is cold. In that situation you need a radiator key, my preference is a brass one and then you need to find the bleed point on the end of the radiator and turn it using the key. You only need to turn it a tiny amount until you hear it hissing and see some water come out which means that the air has gone and the water is in the top. If you find you have to do this regularly it means that you have air coming into the system in which case you need to have the system looked at. If you are having to bleed them every few months it means you might have corrosion which might lead to leaks in your radiators and even your boiler.

"Another common problem is with the pipe leading into the radiator getting hot but no further. Very often radiators have thermostatic radiator valves and sometimes they jam. Once you take the actuator top off you will see a pin at the top of the valve which you can move it up and down and it should start to function."

Balancing radiators is another common issue and balancing your central heating system will be covered in another video.

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#diy #plumbingtips #plumbinghacks

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[marksandsmith]

People like Roger are saints . Simply modern saints.
Putting this information out saves time effort stress and cash.
Many thanks
Mark

[SalimKhan-gkfh]

Roger must be one of my favourite tradesmen on YouTube to watch! he’s got excellent presentation skills And explains things in a clear precise manner Top marks to you on this very helpful video

[joeli]

He is a good and caring plumber. Why can't we have more like him?

[RHD]

They are paying you for the experience of a lifetime!
Thank you, I'll try that on my clogged radiator valves

[danielthornton]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I’ve recently turned on the heating… as most have, and I had an issue where my Daughters radiator, it wasn’t heating up at all! I remember a while ago watching a video of Roger and I went back today, found this video and I followed step by step with taking off the thermostats valve, and voila… the pin was lodged ‘down’, meaning the radiator wasn’t getting any heat. I pressed down a few times to loosen it up and it’s all good now! An instant result - top gent!

[AnnaSwadds]

Oh my goodness, I fixed it! Thank you so much. My water level was wrong. Now my sitting room is toasted again and it saved me lots of money right before Christmas! You're an angel.

[neilshah]

Thanks, simply tapping the pin has done the trick on one of my radiators that wasn't heating up at all. Saved me £60 excess on my boiler and heating plan!

[garyputa]

Roger, Just moved into a rather unique, albeit, 100 year old apartment in freezing old Green Bay, WI USA. Woke up freezing with a cold dead radiator. After watching your awesome video, had the old girl gurgling within seconds. Thanks, You're the Man! The pints are on me if you ever visit Green Bay....but I'd suggest visiting in July....not November! Keep up the Great Work. Gary

[eepe]

Thank you so much. Just took the thermostat valve off and followed your suggestion. Tapped and hey presto. Radiator working at full capacity. I have spend the last 18 months and had four plumbers look at this radiator. Even had the thermostat valve replaced by one. I can't believe no-one thought of your suggestion. Thank you so much.

[andrejarvis]

You have just taught a 73 year lady how to bleed a radiator working a treat now thank you

[andysherman]

Wife told me to ‘Google’ about our 1 x cold radiator, a quick YouTube search and after watching this video, finding the TRV pin firmly down, and tapping all around and on top of the pin, it released.
I have the pin a good squish down and up a few times, and by the time I had the TRV replaced I had a roasting hot radiator.
Thank you sir kindly.
Andy.

[julitt]

Thank you SO MUCH! You have just saved me a fair amount of money as I had two radiators which had stopped working after the summer. My husband died in May and I usually left this kind of thing to him, but a bit of tapping with the rubber handle of my plyers and they re both working!!

[Kelvin_]

Thank you for the good job, I was at the verge of calling an engineer to look into my radiators issues. Having watched your video done the miracle. Thank you

[barbelljoe]

Thanks! That trick with wiggling the thermostat pin and tapping it literally saved me a hundred quid today!

[alanlilley]

Properly explained - logic in the correct order - not sure why one of the other videos on You Tube starts with closing the lockshield valve after indication that the system was previously working OK, never mind missing the number of turns for a reset. Very professional explanation.

[TheBrokenOmega]

Honestly, this video was a game changer! I've had three cold rads around my house for a while. The thermo valve pin press and tap solved this issue. Thank you so much!

[starduststudios]

Thanks! Been watching your videos for the last couple of months because I find the items you discuss fascinating even though I wouldn’t usually undertake any plumbing myself! Today though you saved me calling a plumber for a simple job. Removed the TRV control and got the pin working again. Bingo! Warm radiator. Thanks!!

[michaelkelly]

Brilliant stuff . You just saved me €100s cause I had 4 cold rads and had no idea why. TRV was stuck on all of them . Thanks a million

[smtn]

One radiator not working this morning, so looked at this video. A few minutes work removing the thermostatic rad. valve, a shot of WD40 and some gentle pressure with the side of a spanner and I now have a fully working radiator. That piece of advice earned a sub and like. Thanks.

[duanelumsdon]

I don’t normally comment but this actually worked for me. Defo give it a try and so pleased I found this video. Thanks pal