Bleed nut on radiator will not open

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Hi
I am trying to bleed a radiator but the nut will not open.
Are there better bleed spanners maybe ?
It is the type that is at the black of the radiator and faces the wall.
Also should the heating be switched off when I try to bleed it please ?

Thanks.
 
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That’s going to be awkward, and they’re not the best for access. Do you mean bleed key, or are you actually using a spanner?
 
Only a radiator key would normally be the correct size. Are there any better .... depends on what type you are using and whether it is a good fit or not. Any more effort than what a normal clock key type can apply usually ends up with the bleed screw snapping.

Doesn't really matter whether the rads are on or not to the actual bleeding process but always better to bleed when cold to avoid any scalding risk from hot water.
 
Best to have the heating switched off when bleeding, some, not all sytems can actually draw air in rather than out if the pump is running when you open the bleed point
 
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when you say have heating switched off is that boiler can still be on but heating not on and radiators cold
 
Ones that I can't budge and round off having tried to remove to let air out I get a small socket and hammer on. Couple of taps to get it on.
The really old brass type are so soft socket goes on easy moulding the plug to the socket shape.
 
If he gets that type I suggest filing it down flat to get rid of the internal chamfer. I have a small socket set for use on car alternators, which were like that. With the bolt heads being quite shallow filing flat gives much better engagement and less risk of rounding off.

Best only used for undoing them - that type give far to much leverage for closing them, they don't need to be that tight.
 

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