Bleeding a radiator - noob quesiton
Discussion
Hi all,
I need to bleed a radiator in my house, I have looked online for instructions and it says "turn the central heating off first". Am I right in thinking that just means that you cant bleed it whilst the heating is circulating (which would of course be dumb), or does it mean you actually have to switch the boiler off even if it is not currently in a central heating cycle? (Doing so will mess up the programming and I dont have the codes to reset it)
I need to bleed a radiator in my house, I have looked online for instructions and it says "turn the central heating off first". Am I right in thinking that just means that you cant bleed it whilst the heating is circulating (which would of course be dumb), or does it mean you actually have to switch the boiler off even if it is not currently in a central heating cycle? (Doing so will mess up the programming and I dont have the codes to reset it)
I'm sure you do NOT need to turn off your boiler.
Just bleed it at any time. I do mine when its heating up so I can feel the hot water rise to the top of the radiator.
I'd maybe suggest familiarising yourself with topping up the water pressure in the heating system first as this will drop when you bleed them.
Just bleed it at any time. I do mine when its heating up so I can feel the hot water rise to the top of the radiator.
I'd maybe suggest familiarising yourself with topping up the water pressure in the heating system first as this will drop when you bleed them.
It's just releasing trapped air from the top of a radiator. I can't think it would matter whether the boiler is running or not. Just hold a cloth under the (top) valve, undo the square bit slowly until you hear air hissing out, then retighten immediately you see water. Presto, no more trapped air.
megaphone said:
You need to think about why you're getting air in the system in the first place, assuming it's a sealed pressurised system?
If its anything like my house, where the pipes are all under the solid oak flooring, it is probably best not to think about how the air is getting in.
- I know exactly what you mean. The whole "turn the heating off to bleed" isn't really necessary tbh.
The thinking behind it is that you'll empty the F+E cistern faster than the mains can refill it, this drawing air into the system pipework.
Bleeding one or two rads isn't going to do that!
The only thing to worry about, is if it's a sealed system, your going to have to re-pressurise the system afterwards.
If it's a combi boiler, it is highly likely to be a sealed system.
The thinking behind it is that you'll empty the F+E cistern faster than the mains can refill it, this drawing air into the system pipework.
Bleeding one or two rads isn't going to do that!
The only thing to worry about, is if it's a sealed system, your going to have to re-pressurise the system afterwards.
If it's a combi boiler, it is highly likely to be a sealed system.
Rickyy said:
Ideal Classic, it will almost certainly be open vented. Bleed away, there should be a tank in the loft that will refill itself.
Yes, looks like an open system so no need to refill the system after you've bled. As long as the heating isn't on when you bleed you'll be fine and even if it is, you'll probably be fine.Edited by Rickyy on Wednesday 17th December 18:31
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