Balancing radiators

[Beawalk]

Recently learnt about this and since i have a radiator that only heats up at the top quater i thought id have a go.
I turned the heating off and let it all go cold, then turned the heating on to work out which rads come on firts and to see if the temp valve was on the inlet.
Well 7 out of my 12 radiators have in inlet feed coming through the lock valve. I am asuming that they are plumbed up incorectly??? An since i have had the whole house re plumbed compleatly, 5 years ago im not impressed to say the least.
Im i right in thinking i carnt balance my radiators now? And will have to change the valves around??
TIA

 

[dilalio]

If your rads have TRVs and these are bi-directional/bi-flow (which they are fairly likely to be), then it doesn't matter if the flow enters the rad via the lockshield.
Open each one by a quarter turn and then keep going that way on the ones that are not so hot, until they are all hot. If they don't all get hot, you have other problems!

Edit: 1/4 turn on lockshields that is, leave the TRVs fully open during balancing.

 

[Beawalk]

Ok thanks, round i go again

 

[dilalio]

Ok thanks, round i go again

What TRVs do you have?
On some there is a symbol embossed on the side that clearly depicts the valve is bi-flow!
Like this:

------->
|
|
|
V

 

[Beawalk]

These ones if that helps

 

[dilalio]

These ones if that helps

You could have looked for this yourself!