radiator - repair or replace?

73trix · 24-09-2011 10:16am #1

I have a radiator not working properly. Have bled it a couple of times, no change. It is only heating at the top but not the whole radiator. Is it reparable or do I need a new one? Thanks.

DoneDL · 24-09-2011 10:50am

Are the valves open, do the other rads heat up. It might be just a question of balancing the system or turning the boiler stat up slightly.

dharn · 24-09-2011 10:53am

sounds to me like it is full of sludge you need to take off the radiator and flush it out

JohnnieK · 24-09-2011 6:27pm

If it's not a balancing issue then you need to get your system cleaned out. You could take it off and flush it but you will be doing it again next year and so on. A central heating system needs servicing just like a car dose.

Stove Fan · 25-09-2011 12:02am

More than likely sludge. Could it be a sticking/faulty TRV thermostatic rad valve if fitted?

Stove Fan:)

73trix · 25-09-2011 7:06pm

No TRV thermostatic rad valve fitted. Just a basic radiator. All others are working perfectly. In fact this is one of the newer rads in the house, not the original ones, although the older ones are hotter in general. So it sounds that its a service or to get a plumber to "flush out" and not need replacement. Thanks.

DoneDL · 25-09-2011 7:30pm

73trix wrote: »

No TRV thermostatic rad valve fitted. Just a basic radiator. All others are working perfectly. In fact this is one of the newer rads in the house, not the original ones, although the older ones are hotter in general. So it sounds that its a service or to get a plumber to "flush out" and not need replacement. Thanks.

If the other rads are working well its unlikely to be sludge in the system, make sure that the rad valves are fully open on both sides.

73trix · 26-09-2011 6:56pm

Stupid question, apologies! How do you know the valves are fully open? Neither twist open properly so I need a pliers to physically alter them. At present, one is fully perpendicular to the wall (6pm) and the other is an angle (4.50pm). I have checked the other rads that work properly and the valves are varied! Thanks!

73trix · 28-11-2011 8:55pm

Twas a balancing issue! He had it sorted in 10 mins and explained the valves to me! :rolleyes:

73trix · 03-01-2012 9:46am

Spoke too soon! Couple of weeks after I thought all was fixed, I realised another rad was not working properly and another one had a leak! So, called plummer back and he "balanced them" again. All working, no problem!
NOW, the original problem rad doesn't work AT ALL! original prob was that it was only part heating. I am due to call my plummer back a third time! Any advice? He has not fixed the problem!
Incidentally I am going to replacemy boiler system. Could it all be connected, thus be pointless getting the plummer out again to try to fix this rad?
Tnx

radiator - repair or replace?

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