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Quick Fixes: How to bleed a radiator
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Quick Fixes: How to bleed a radiator

Posted by Adam Chard in How to guides | 5 years ago 3 min read

If your heating isn’t performing as it should, you may need to bleed your radiator or heated towel rail. In this blog post, we’ll show you how.

Disclaimer: Take care when diagnosing faults with your heating system. This is only a guide to remove pockets of air trapped in your heating system. If you suspect anything else may be the cause, please consult a qualified professional.

During the summer, when our central heating is generally turned off, air can get trapped in the system. This will result in cool spots in your radiator, hindering performance. To get rid of this trapped air, you will need to bleed your radiator. Despite the slightly alarming terminology, it couldn’t be simpler to do.

As part of our series of Quick Fixes blog posts, we’ll demonstrate how to check and how to bleed your radiator with our easy-to-follow video.

Tools you’ll need:

  • Radiator bleeding key

You’ll also need:

  • A cloth or small towel (for excess water)
  • A larger towel (to catch spills)

Step-by-step video




Here’s how to check your radiators or heated towel radiators for cold spots

  1. Turn your central heating on and wait for your radiators to heat up.

Wait for radiators to heat up

  1. Making sure not to burn yourself, run your hand down each radiator. A cold spot could mean your radiator needs bleeding.

Check radiators or heated towel radiator for cold spots


Here’s how to bleed a radiator or heated towel radiator

  1. Make sure your heating is switched off, allowing your radiators time to cool down.

Ensure heating is switched off

  1. Locate the valve which can be found towards the top of the radiator.

Locate the valve

  1. Lay out your larger towel underneath the radiator (directly below the valve) to protect your floor from any spills.

Protect flooring

  1. While using your cloth or small towel to catch excess water, place the radiator key over the square pin inside the valve and turn it anti-clockwise until you hear a hissing noise.

Turn radiator key anti-clockwise

  1. When water begins to leak out, turn the valve to the closed position.

Turn valve to closed position

Congratulations, you have now bled your radiator. The process is exactly the same for a heated towel radiator.

The radiator used in this video is The Heating Co. Santa Fe traditional radiator.


More easy bathroom fixes

At Victoria Plum, you’ll discover loads of expert bathroom advice, including quick fixes you can easily do yourself.

Head to our Switches and Fixes hub to find our full range of blogs and videos, or read more bathroom DIY advice articles, including “how to” installation guides.

Author, Adam Chard

Posted by Adam Chard in How to guides | 5 years ago

A born & raised West Countryman, now living on the Yorkshire Coast, for over 10 years Adam has been bringing home interior ideas to life at Victoria Plum. Adam’s favourite interior styles have been shaped by both urban and natural influences.

Sales Line 0344 264 4141 Track order Design Service Trade account

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