AD | We often forget just how much of a difference radiators make to our day-to-day comfort levels. It’s only when they stop working – either completely or partially – that we realise how big an impact they have on our lives. There are usually a few main reasons why your radiators are not getting warm – here are some the most common issues, and some tips on what you can do to get them working again as soon as possible.
5 Common Reasons Why Your Radiators Are Not Getting Warm – And How To Fix Them
Air Bubbles in Your Radiator
The simplest and probably most likely reason your radiators are not getting warm enough is the presence of air bubbles in the heating system. These bubbles can accumulate over time, and prevent hot water from circulating effectively through your radiators.
Luckily, these bubbles are a very easy issue to fix. You just need to bleed the system, which can be done via the little valves on your radiators. Simply place a bowl and a towel (I speak from personal experience!) under the valve, open it slightly with a radiator key until you hear air start to hiss out, and close it again when the air stops coming out. You should see a big improvement in terms of how well your radiators function almost immediately.
A Broken Boiler
If your radiators are not getting warm, there is a chance that the problem lies with the thing that actually heats the water: your boiler. Boilers don’t function seamlessly, unfortunately, and they do go wrong from time to time. It could be something as simple as a broken seal or loose joint, or as complex as needing a whole new boiler. Ideally, you should get your boiler serviced every 12 months to ensure it’s running both efficiently and safely.
Whether you’re able to diagnose the issue yourself or not, you’ll likely need to get a boiler technician round from somewhere like Able Plumbers to have a look at it and potentially fix the boiler for you. It’s better to do this sooner rather than later, so you don’t end up running an inefficient and/or defective boiler that not only won’t heat your home properly but will also end up costing you more money in the long run.
Blocked or Sludge-filled Pipes
Over time, rust, limescale, and other debris can build up in your heating system pipes, reducing water flow. Rather like when the arteries leading to your heart become blocks. You might even hear some “knocking” in your pipes when you turn your heating on.
The best way to fix this is to arrange for a power-flush for your heating system, to clear out sludge. We had this done before our new boiler was installed and it made a huge difference to how well it heats our home. If the problem persists, you may need to consult a professional to inspect or replace severely clogged pipes.
Radiator Size or Placement
Some radiators may be poorly positioned (e.g. behind furniture or heavy curtains), reducing their efficiency. This is a relatively easy fix that you can sort out yourself – move any sofas or tie back any curtains to make sure your radiators are unobstructed. Tip: control the heat flow in a room by installing a floating shelf above your radiator to stop the heat rising to the ceiling, where it’s not needed, and deflect it out and around the room instead.
If you think your radiator is too small for the size of your room, you may need to consider upgrading to a larger or more efficient model, perhaps something to match your interior design aesthetic. Or even think about additional methods of heating, such as underfloor heating.
Faulty Thermostat
Lastly, a surprisingly common reason why your radiators are not getting warm enough is if you have a faulty or wrongly set thermostat. These little tools can be a nightmare to use correctly, but they’re usually fairly easy to fix yourself. So, it’s important that you thoroughly check the settings before you pay for a potentially expensive visit from a boiler technician.
Look on some online forums and check for tutorial videos on YouTube, as well as the user manual of course. Other people will probably have experienced the same kinds of issues as you in the past, and there may very well be a quick and easy fix that won’t break the bank.
If your radiators have just stopped working properly, hopefully, these insights and tips will have given you a good idea of why and a few likely starting points towards getting things sorted. Go through each one, starting with bleeding your radiators and ending with a boiler technician call out if you have to. Fingers crossed it will be an easy and cheap fix but, on the off chance that it’s not, it’s still better to get it sorted out as quickly as possible, to maintain your cosy home, particularly when the weather turns colder.
Have your radiators ever stopped working? Did you try to fix them yourself or did you call in an expert?
* This is a collaborative post – please see my Disclaimer.
Our old apartment had a radiator that always stopped heating and every winter we would have to get a maintenance worker to come and fix it. Luckily we haven’t had any problems in our new apartment, but this is great advice for those who are having issues with their radiators.
That’s so frustrating – every winter? Glad your new home doesn’t have these problems!