Help? Cold Radiator

supersoozy · 10 Nov 2007

Before I start I have to say I am female, nothing wrong with that, willing to have a go, but need plain simple instructions - hope that's ok!

Husband is currently in hospital and I have found one of our radiators is cold.

Yesterday the pipe leading to the valve (where you change the heat setting) was very hot - today it is cold.

Radiator will not heat at all now.

All other radiators in house are ok?

Can anyone give me any simple instructions of what I can do - trying to save paying a plumber as husbands disability benefit has stopped while in hospital.

Thank you in advance for any help

Sue

EdwardCurrent · 10 Nov 2007

Hello,

Is there a valve on one end of the rad that you can turn ?
I am sure someone whom knows how to help you will be here soon.
Ed

Gas2Air · 10 Nov 2007

Hi Sue, is there a thermostatic valve on one end? You may benefit from reading the FAQ and tips section too.

supersoozy · 10 Nov 2007

Yes - there is a valve and I have tried the "hit with a hammer" as suggested in another post somewhere on this site.

However, the thing I don't get - and correct me if I am wrong - is that the pipe that comes up from the floor to the valve is now extremely cold even when the rest of the radiators are hot - am I right in assuming that there may be a blockage?

If this is the case - what do I do about it?

Thanks,

Sue

gas4you · 10 Nov 2007

Hi Sue, don't like your comment saying you are female, who cares

I try to help whatever gender asks

Try the basics first, turn off hot water, turn pump onto maximum speed, turn off all rads except the cold one, make sure trv is on highest number.

This hopefully will push airlock/blockage through pipes and into rad.

Hopefully us on here can help so it is no worry to youe other half in hospital

supersoozy · 11 Nov 2007

Hi Dave,

First apologies - didn't want to upset anyone - but I thought it was best to be upfront that being female I haven't got the knowledge or skills that many men have having never had to sort anything like this before - but I am learning and am happy to have a go at anything!

Right, I am going to try your advice but before I do I have a query - we have a combi boiler. How do I turn the hot water off and turn the pump up? - the boiler is set at number 6 which is the highest I can see on it.

I didn't want to go making matters worse so thought best to ask first.

Thanks for your help, I know when Mike is able he will be really grateful - he is currently on a ventilator (has been for six weeks now) so I can't even ask his advice.

Sue.

D_Hailsham · 11 Nov 2007

supersoozy said:
Q1. How do I turn the hot water off

Q2. and turn the pump up?

A1. This does not apply to a combi boiler; just make sure you do not use any hot water at the time.

A2. There is a switch on the pump with numbers; set it to the highest number.

Have you tried bleeding the radiator? This should be done with the boiler off so the pump is not running.

supersoozy · 11 Nov 2007

Have turned all radiators off except the one that isn't working, turned boiler up to 6 and have re-bleed the radiator all to no avail.

I have noticed that the pressure on the boiler had gone down to almost zero (presumably when I tried to bleed the radiators?) so I have dealt with that.

One question, and I don't know if this is any good, we have a valve in the back garden (comes out from under the floor to the outside wall) from the heating for when Mike needed to drain the system to put new radiators/pipe work in etc.... Would it be any good me opening this whilst the system is filling to try and dislodge any airlock?

Sue

D_Hailsham · 11 Nov 2007

supersoozy said:
Have turned all radiators off except the one that isn't working, turned boiler up to 6 and have re-bleed the radiator all to no avail.

Turning the boiler to 6 only increased the water temperature.

Did you identify the pump and set it to max speed?

Did you get any air out of the rad?

Remove the thermostatic valve head (unscrew large knurled nut) and check that the pin will move up and down easily. Press down, e.g with a pair of pliers, and it should spring up again.

Check that the valve at the other end of the radiator (lockshield valve) is not completely closed (Count how many turns you need to shut it) Then open the valve completely. This valve usually has a plain plastic cap which can be easily removed to reveal the adjuster. You should be able to turn it with a pair of pliers.

Now, with all other rads shut, turn on the boiler and see if the reluctant rad gets hot.

I have noticed that the pressure on the boiler had gone down to almost zero (presumably when I tried to bleed the radiators?) so I have dealt with that.

Correct

One question, and I don't know if this is any good, we have a valve in the back garden (comes out from under the floor to the outside wall) from the heating for when Mike needed to drain the system to put new radiators/pipe work in etc.... Would it be any good me opening this whilst the system is filling to try and dislodge any airlock?

No

supersoozy · 11 Nov 2007

Pump - no haven't located it - am looking for manual to see which panel it is under - there are four panels inside the boiler and I don't want to take the wrong piece to pieces! - I would assume though that it would be on full.

I have, however, taken off the valve from this, and another radiator that is working to see the correct insides, and it would appear that the pin is stuck - have tried releasing it to no avail. I did photograph it but there is no facility for uploading them to this site.

I also have small amount of water around the part still attached to the radiator.

I am assuming therefore I need a new valve?

However, what I don't understand, is why the pipe leading through the floor to the valve is cold - surely if it was only the valve this would still be hot and then from the valve to the radiator would be cold?

Sue

bengasman · 11 Nov 2007

You have made sure the pressure is between 1 and 2, the boiler is on max (not a must, but does not hurt) and all the rads are off apart from the one that is cold.

Have you made sure that the valves on BOTH sides of this radiator are open and if so, how do you know?

I would not describe it as HITTING a trv. Take the smallest baby-hammer you can find, even literally a child’s toy hammer, and TAP the trv many times on the body rather than the pin. Do this with the boiler going and the pump on max. whilst you are doing this, try after every 10 taps to push the pin in with a bit of wood. Press firmly, but with care if that makes sense.
I would not recommend trying to pull the pin with pliers. Though it sometimes does the trick, it can also cause the valve to leak.

Finally, err on the side of caution. It is just one rad not working, you can live with that. Wait until all is back to normal and find yourself a reliable rgi to have a look at it his summer. A radiator that stops working is rarely something that happens on its own, usually there are issues like various valves reaching the end of their useful life and/or corrosion in the system. Heating engineers are at their busiest right now and relatively quiet in summer, so you are likely to get a better deal in July.

supersoozy · 11 Nov 2007

1) Yes all done

2) I left the valve as it was originally - the radiator had been working fine - so I am assuming that it is fully on.

3) Will wait until daughter gets home and then we will try again

4) Looks like this will be out only option - unfortunately it is the radiator in the living room and Mike will not be able to come home, although this is unlikely to be for some time, if we cannot get it working - because of the cancer he feels the cold. I may also speak to the hospital - you never know they may be able to help out!

Thank you again for all your help - if I do get it working I owe you a drink!! - might have to be virtual!

Sue

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Help? Cold Radiator

EdwardCurrent

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