What we’ll cover…
- The required tools and materials for the draining of the system
- Why it is important to turning off the heating before proceeding
- How to connect the hose pipe to a radiator’s drain valve
- The way to rout the opposite end of the hose pipe to an outdoor drain
- Using an adjustable spanner to open the drain valve
- Why to open upstairs air vents or bleed valves first, before downstairs counterparts
- How to check for water flow through the hose pipe and why to do it
- The process of draining individual radiators as and when required
- Which safety precautions you must take, and instances you should seek professional assistance
A quick guide to draining central heating
Sometimes – though not very often – you may have to drain your central heating system to make necessary repairs.
Watch this video guide or follow the simple steps below for full instructions on how to drain down a pressurised heating system.
What tools will I need?
You will need –
Step 1 – Switch the heating off
Before you start you’ll need to ensure your heating system is turned off.
Step 2 – Connect the hosepipe
Next, connect the hosepipe to the drain valve on the radiator, tighten up with the jubilee clip, and place a towel underneath to catch any drips.
Step 3 – Put the hose outside
Once you’ve done this, place the end of the hosepipe in a drain outside.
Step 4 – Open up the drain valve
Using the adjustable spanner open the drain valve anti-clockwise.
Step 5 – Open the bleed valves
Now you’re ready to open the air vents.
It’s important to start upstairs first, using the bleed key open the air vents anti-clockwise, you should hear a sucking noise – this is the air entering the radiator.
Step 6 – Check on your hosepipe
After all the air vents upstairs are open check the hosepipe outside and make sure there’s water coming out of it.
Leave for 10 minutes, and carry out the same procedure for the radiators downstairs.
If after 10 minutes water still comes out the air vents downstairs, this is maybe because the radiators are individually piped from upstairs, if this is the case you’ll need to drain down the radiators individually using the radiator drain valves. Once the hosepipe has stopped draining you’ll then be ready to carry out any work.
If you’ve got any burning questions or need advice from the experts, be sure to send in your questions. We may feature them in our next blog post, too. Questions can be sent via the comments section below, Facebook or Twitter.
Please note: Our ‘How-To’ manuals are intended only as a guide to assist you with common home heating tasks. Please do not attempt to undertake this task if any of the instructions are unclear, or if you are in any doubt about what to do. Instead, seek advice from a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
To connect a hose pipe to a radiator, attach it at the drain valve, before using a jubilee clip to tighten the joining. Position a towel beneath the valve to gather up any drips that may occur.
For further information, browse our blog, how to drain down a pressurised system.
A hose pipe is required to drain down a central heating system, so water can be easily transported from home radiators to an outdoor drainage system for release. This process can alleviate a build-up of pressure to ensure your radiators perform to their optimal capacity.
For a more detailed insight, explore our blog, how to drain down a pressurised system.
You will require a hose pipe, flat head screwdriver, adjustable spanner, jubilee clip, radiator key and a towel to drain pressurised heating system correctly.
Following the process with these tools can help to ensure you get the best performance possible from your designer radiators or heated towel rails, or alternate heating devices.
Consult our blog, how to drain down a pressurised system, to find out more.
John Lawless is a home heating expert and Content Manager at BestHeating. With over a decade of experience, he shares practical insights on both traditional and modern heating technologies. A regular contributor to various home and garden magazines, John is dedicated to helping homeowners make informed heating choices with straightforward and reliable advice.
