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How do I maintain my radiators?

Keeping your radiators in top shape

Until you own a home, you probably don’t realise how many items around the house require some form of maintenance.

I had my own rude awakening upon moving into my property three years since, and despite much ‘encouragement’ from my better half, am still to properly embrace the tasks at hand. Of which I’m reminded. A lot.

I’m as guilty as anyone of waiting for something to break and finding a fix, when some simple maintenance would probably prevent the problem in the first place.

There’s probably plenty of people with the same mentality, but we really could make our lives easier by changing our ways somewhat!

Think about your central heating system and the radiators you currently have installed, for instance.

Whether it’s cast iron radiators, modern designer radiators or towel rails, your home heating solutions cost a pretty penny. And whilst we’d never put you off investing in a shiny new rad when needed, we’d hate for you to not make the most of your existing components, and ensure they are working efficiently to full capacity.

So, when was the last time you checked out how your home radiators were performing? Have you gone to the trouble to bleed your radiators within the last year? Are you 100 per cent sure that certain radiators work still even?

There’s a few simple ways to check that your heating is operating properly. And some easy radiator maintenance measures to help prevent corrosion in your radiators, and stop your radiators from leaking.

So, how do we keep our radiators in check to operate to their optimal capacity?

This article will explain how to maintain your radiators for the best and most durable performance possible, ensuring they’re always running smoothly.

White column radiator in front of blue wall near house plant

Why do radiators leak?

Lots of homeowners won’t realise that radiator leaks and rusting can be caused by extremely simple chemical reactions.

I know I didn’t have a clue.

Typically, sludge can build up inside radiators, and when left to do its damage, lead to miniscule holes in them. This obviously makes your radiator susceptible to leaks as a result.

Water always reacts with steel, which accounts for the construction of plenty of radiator designs old and new. So take the time to inspect your heating systems, and rid them of any mud-like sludgy substances that might have built up.

While you’re at it, they’ll probably appreciate the addition of some fresh cold water to turn to hot water too.

Why do radiators rust?

Corrosion in radiators can prove commonplace over time. If your radiator remains under guarantee, check that the plumber got shut of any debris during installation. Corrosion or rust is increasingly likely if bits and bobs have been circulating through the system for a while.

Essentially, a clear radiator on the inside is always best for performance. It significantly reduces the risk of leaks, corrosion and rusting.

Now, what to do if a radiator leaks…

What should I do if my radiator is leaking?

If you do notice a radiator leak, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy a new radiator model. Once you’ve noticed a leak, follow these steps before deciding what course of action to take…

  1. Identify exactly where the water is coming from. Dry out your radiator completely and determine the source of the leak.
  2. If any of the radiator valves are the problem, you might require assistance from a plumbing professional. Use a spanner to close the valve or valves. That should stem the leak until your plumber can work his magic.
  3. Radiator leaks can emanate from the intersection between a valve and a pipe. Try tightening the loose bolts with a spanner before you call a professional. In many cases, this will solve the leak.
  4. If you have a leak emerging from an electric radiator, then you do need to seek a replacement heating system. There really isn’t any other option.

Especially if you haven’t prepared for it, forking out for a new radiator can be a hugely inconvenient exercise.

Of course, we have all sorts of excellent options available at BestHeating. And we’re always committed to helping you stylishly upgrade your home heating for less.

Just make sure you’re doing the proper maintenance and performing the proper checks to ensure your existing radiators work to their full capacity for as long as possible. It can save you plenty of cash in the long run, and it’s not even that much work!

For more info about fixing a radiator leak, check out our Ultimate Radiator Leak Guide.

Close up shot of tool set with multiple spanners

Bleeding your radiators

If you’re concerned about trapped air curtailing the efficiency of your radiators’ performance, you might want to think about bleeding your radiators.

Our Advice Centre guide on how to bleed a radiator tells you everything you have to know, from how to tell if you need to bleed your radiators, what tools you require to do so, and how to get the valve open to actually bleed them.

Radiator care tips from BestHeating

BestHeating include a radiator care guide document to accompany each of our radiators, offering handy maintenance tips and advice on how to get the best out of your heating appliances right from the off.

The following text is included in our radiator care guide leaflets…

This new radiator will perform at its best and last longest when it is fitted to a clean and protected central heating system that is regularly maintained.

It is highly recommended that when adding a new radiator, the central heating system is cleaned using an appropriate central heating cleaning product and then freshwater flushed.

It is essential that, after refilling, the central heating system is correctly dosed with a suitable central heating corrosion protector containing an inhibitor.

The inhibitor concentration in the system should be maintained at the recommended level by testing the water in the system after any repairs, alterations, or leaks, and at least every 12 months, by using an inhibitor testing kit and re-dosing with inhibitor as required.

A failure to do so may invalidate the radiator’s guarantee.

To prolong the surface finish of this radiator, avoid contact with sharp or abrasive objects and harmful chemicals; regularly wipe the surface with a damp soft, cloth to remove any spills, marks and dust, being sure to dry the radiator afterwards.

Should damage occur to the paint surface which exposes the metal underneath, then the exposed metal should be protected with a suitable touch-up paint or clear lacquer to prevent the radiator from rusting.

Installers: Please explain this guide to the user or property owner and leave a copy with them for reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is true that clean radiators operate more efficiently, in terms of working better when the gaps in between panels and inside the radiator itself are unobstructed.

Convector radiators can be particularly susceptible to a build up of dust and all other bits of junk that could lead to the rad not performing to its full capabilities, whilst stylish designer radiators don’t have the same sort of issues and can be easily wiped down with a cloth.

For a deeper insight, take a look at our blog, How to improve radiator efficiency and performance.

To begin with, you need to make sure your radiator is turned off as a safety precaution before cleaning it.

Be careful to eradicate dust from between any radiator panels, so the component can perform to its full capacity without the distribution of heat being blocked at all.

You can do so by creating a cleaning device from a thin stick or wooden plank, and attaching a cloth or towel at the end. Such an item will enable you to reach awkward, narrow crevasses and get rid of dust and dirt that might cause blockages.

As it pertains to the radiator surface itself, you can use a soapy water-laden sponge to combat markings or stains.

For a more detailed insight, take a look at our dedicated blog, How To Clean A Radiator.

The simplest way to maintain your radiators is to keep them free from dust, especially in the case of convector radiators.

For tips and advice on the best way to maintain your radiators via effective cleaning, consult our Advice Centre blog, How To Clean A Radiator.

There’s also more detailed tips and maintenance in our blog, How Do I Maintain My Radiators?

Firstly, you should ensure your radiator is switched off for safety reasons before commencing with cleaning your radiator.

It is important to remove dust from in between radiator panels, so as to not prevent the distribution of heat, and ensure they are performing to optimal capacity.

To do so, you should fashion a cleaning device from a stick or thin plank, with a towel or cloth wrapped around the end. This will allow you to reach into narrow crevasses and eliminate dirt and dust that could cause potential blockages.

With regards to the actual radiator surface, you can use a sponge and some soapy water to tackle any stains or markings.

Get more radiator cleaning advice in our full guide, How to Clean a Radiator.

Get in touch with BestHeating

For any more help and advice surrounding the maintenance of your radiators, or any other home heating queries, be sure to get in touch with us. You can leave comments in the comments section below, or contact us via InstagramTwitter or Facebook. Stay safe and happy heating.

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