Radiator Problem

[liverplum]

We have just fitted a new radiator in an extension. There was a rad ont he wall behind so we have teed off from the feed and return to that rad, through the wall and fed the new rad.

The new rad is only getting warm at the top - and then not even as hot as the others. Only one of the pipe's going in to the rad is hot - the other is cold.

Does the system just need balancing to make sure hot water is getting round it or could it be a problem with the central heating pump? Too many rads now?

Any help appreciated.

 

[jackthom]

Does the other radiator on the opposite side of the wall still get nice and hot?

If so you may get away with screwing down it's lockshield valve a little to encourage more flow through the new one.

It is essentially a case of balancing, provided the original pipework was sufficiently large diameter (15mm should be fine) to supply 2 radiators.

 

[liverplum]

The pipework is 15mm so like you I thought it should be fine - the one on the other side of the wall does get nice and hot eventually although it is the slowest on the system to warm up - the upstairs were roasting before the downstairs had even started to warm.

Is it therefore just a case of balancing the system?

 

[gigz]

Close the upstairs rads off and if it warms up it needs balancing

 

[liverplum]

Without wanting to be glass half empty - if it doesn't warm up?

 

[jackthom]

It's already getting warm at the top of the radiator so there's some flow of hot water into it. Restricting the rest of the system is bound to force that flow to increase.

The real knack of balancing is getting them all hot.

 

[liverplum]

Excellent - I hope to master the knack of balancing