Why Is My Radiator Not Working Properly? Discover the Cause

If multiple radiators in your home are hot but one stays cold, this is often an indicator that the central heating system isn’t working properly and needs a powerflushing. A professional heating engineer can do this for you.

If a single radiator feels cold at the top and warm at the bottom, this suggests there is air trapped inside which is blocking circulation. This can be fixed by bleeding the radiator with a bleed valve key.

Thermostat

If your thermostat’s display is blank, the first thing to check is its power source. A dead battery will prevent the device from operating, so change out the batteries and see if the screen turns on. If it does, then your problem is an easy fix. If it doesn’t, then you may need to investigate a faulty fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. Shut off the power to your thermostat by locating the circuit breaker that it’s attached to in your electrical panel and turning it off. Then, remove the cover and inspect the wiring connections. Make sure they’re securely attached and free from corrosion or other damage. If they’re not, gently reattach them.

If you have a non-digital thermostat, then the problem could be due to a frozen anticipator arm that prevents it from turning on the heating system when the temperature drops. You can use a carpenter’s level to determine whether the arm is tilted or not, then adjust it accordingly. For digital thermostats, the problem could be due to a misaligned mercury switch. It’s best to call in an HVAC professional to deal with this issue, but you can still troubleshoot by switching the unit to another position in your home until you find one that works well.

You might also have a compatibility problem with your thermostat and your HVAC system. You can usually check this information by looking at the user manuals for both devices or visiting their respective websites. If your thermostat isn’t compatible with your system, then you’ll need to replace it.

Thermostats aren’t always located in the most convenient place in your home, but you need to ensure they have a good airflow in order for them to properly sense the environment and operate your heating or cooling systems. Thermostats that are placed too close to heat sources, drafts or windows will restrict their function and cause problems with your home’s temperature. If you have a digital thermostat, then you can check the positioning using a phone app. For non-digital ones, then you’ll need to manually adjust it.

Pump

If one or more of your radiators are not heating up, it could be a sign that the circulator pump is not working correctly. The pump is designed to move hot water around your heating system – taking it from the boiler through the pipes to your radiators and hot water cylinder, then back again. Sometimes it can develop blockages or airlocks which prevent it from working properly. The best way to diagnose the problem is to listen for gurgling noises as the system attempts to work, which will let you know that there is air trapped in the system. If this is the case, you will need to bleed your radiators to release the trapped air and improve the flow of water around your system.

You can also listen for loud, grating sounds from your radiator casing if it is trying to work but has been damaged or is about to break down. These signs are likely to require the expertise of a Gas Safe registered engineer to fix.

Another issue that may cause your radiator to stop heating up is a thermostatic radiator valve that is stuck or set too low. The solution to this is a system cleanse carried out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer.

A radiator that only gets hot at the top could be a sign that there is trapped air in the system which needs bleeding. This can be solved by removing the radiator’s cap at the top, using a radiator bleed key to undo the nut and opening the bleed valve. Then simply close the valve once water begins flowing through again.

Radiator problems can be a real pain and may leave you with a cold home until a professional can come out to fix the problem. If you’re looking for a trusted team to handle your plumbing and heating needs, SCS Plumbing and Heating Ltd is the company to call. Their skilled technicians provide high-quality service to ensure your systems run smoothly and efficiently. There are a few quick checks you can do to see if your radiator is in need of attention, though, such as checking that the heating and hot water controls are on. These are often overlooked and can be the source of the problem. You should also check that the boiler is still supplying hot water and that the feed and expansion tank in the loft is full.

Pipes

If just one radiator is not heating up, it’s worth checking a few basic things first before calling in the experts. Some of these quick checks could be straightforward and save you the hassle and expense of paying for an engineer to come out.

If your radiators feel cold to the touch, it’s a sign there is air trapped inside. This prevents water from circulating properly and causes cold spots. Bleeding your radiators will help to release trapped air and improve water circulation throughout your system, helping your radiators heat up more evenly.

It may also be that your thermostat isn’t working correctly. If you find the thermostat doesn’t react to changes in temperature settings, it may be time to replace it.

Alternatively, your radiator might be leaking. If you notice a damp patch on your ceiling, this is a sign that there’s a problem with your boiler or the pipes. If you think this is the case, you’ll need to contact a heating engineer for help and advice on replacing your radiator valve.

Over time, the metal that your radiator and pipework are made from can start to disintegrate due to constant exposure to oxygen and water. This creates sludge, which can block the flow of hot water through your radiator. Using a chemical inhibitor can slow down this process, ensuring your radiators always work at their best.

Radiators that are colder at the bottom than the top are often a result of sludge build-up. The sludge is formed when iron compounds, such as magnetite and haematite, break off from the steel surface of your radiators and pipes. These particles can then be carried around your system by the water, depositing in various places. It’s important to have your system flushed regularly to remove this build-up.

If you’re hearing gurgling noises when your radiators are running, it’s an indication that there is air trapped in the system. This can be caused by a seized or blocked thermostatic radiator valve (TRV). Taking the head off your TRV and checking the raised pin is in good working order will help to solve this issue.

Leaks

Radiator leaks are a common reason for central heating systems to stop working. The pipes in your radiator are constantly exposed to water and oxygen, which causes the metal they’re made from to corrode over time. This leads to rust that eventually breaks off into your hot water supply. As the rust flakes off, it can also create a blockage that stops water flowing through your radiator and into your system. This is why it’s important to regularly check your radiators for signs of leaking.

A radiator with a cold top can sometimes be caused by a leak in the thermostatic radiator valve (TRV). If you think this might be the issue, try removing its head and making sure that it is completely open. If it is, it could be a simple case of the nut that secures the head of the TRV being tightened to an inconvenient position, which can easily be corrected by using a wrench to undo it.

It is also possible that the TPR on a radiator has been closed off because of a mishandled operation, for example, if it was opened when painting the room it’s in and then re-closed. This may be a problem that is best dealt with by a professional, as it requires the disconnection of the radiator from the system in order to get access to the TPR.

Another common issue with radiators is that they are not pitched correctly. This is usually the case with older ones that have not been replaced recently, as the pitch of the pipework has been lost. On a one-pipe system, the radiator should slope slightly toward the end of the pipe and the valve, while on a two-pipe system, it should be pitched the opposite way. A shim can be placed under the feet of the radiator to restore its correct pitch.

It’s also worth checking whether your boiler and system is in good working order. If it isn’t, a Gas Safe registered heating engineer will need to be called in to carry out a full boiler service and rebalance.