Why is my radiator not working?
As the cold and wet winter continues, there is nothing worse than realising you have a radiator that isn’t working. There can be several reasons why your radiator has stopped functioning as it should. In this guide we’ll be exploring why you might be having trouble with your radiator and what you can do to resolve it. In certain cases, it could be that you need an experienced engineer to fix the problem, but there might be fixes you can make yourself that will save you money on your heating bills and expensive repairs.
If one radiator isn’t working
The first thing you should establish if you notice your radiator isn’t working is whether it is just one radiator that is faulty or several. This will help you get a better understanding of what is causing the problem and how it can be fixed. If only one of your radiators isn’t working, it could be because:
A common reason why your radiator might not be working is air becoming trapped in the system. This is likely to be the cause of the problem if you notice the radiator is cold at the top and slightly warm at the bottom. When there are air pockets in the radiator, the air takes up the space that is meant for hot water, which prevents normal circulation in the system.
The best way to solve this issue is to bleed your radiator. If you have a combi boiler you can learn more about how to do this in our other guide ‘How to bleed radiators with a combi boiler’. After bleeding your radiator, make sure that you look at the pressure gauge on your boiler to check that it is still within normal limits.
If one of your radiators isn’t working, it could simply be because the valve for the thermostatic radiator control has changed from being on a set temperature to being turned off completely. You can check this by taking the top cover off the valve and undoing the knurled nut. If the thermostat is normally at a higher temperature, it can lead to the valves sometimes seizing in a closed state.
Once you have taken off the valve cover, ensure that the central pin can smoothly move both upwards and downwards. If you are unable to achieve this, it indicates that the pin is stuck. This can sometimes be resolved by tapping it gently, but if not, it might require a professional engineer to replace the valve entirely. If you need a new valve for your radiator, NBS can help. We stock a wide range of UK boiler parts to suit any boiler part replacement needs.
A leak in one of your radiators can be very frustrating as depending on the cause and severity, it could mean having to replace the whole radiator. Leaks can be the result of corrosion which has developed through a poorly maintained system that requires a thorough clean out. However, this is only the worst possible scenario.
It could be that the leak is the result of a nut that has become loose. This is particularly likely if the leak is coming from where the thermostatic valve connects to a pipe or radiator, or from a pipe joint. In those cases, you could simply need to tighten the nut with a wrench to stop the leak. If there is a lot of water coming from the leak or tightening a loose nut doesn’t resolve it, you should contact an engineer.
If several radiators aren’t working
If more than one of your radiators aren’t working, there could be different causes to the above as to why that is happening. These causes include:
A problem with the central heating controls
This is one of the rarer issues with your heating system, but it can happen. If your controls for your boiler and heating aren’t working properly it could be due to an issue with the electronic control panel that controls the timing of your central heating and signals to your boiler. You can see whether this is the problem by checking the timing control is correctly set.
Check that the ‘on’ demand is programmed to ensure it heats your radiators. It is not recommended that you try and change the settings on the control panel to look for faults. Without the proper knowledge and skills of a professional engineer you could make the problem worse and more expensive.
Boiler pressure is too low
If your boiler pressure is too low, the boiler won’t provide the hot water that is needed to heat your house. Your boiler pressure gauge should offer a clear indication of the pressure level. If it’s too low, you can top it up yourself using the boiler filling loop.
Diverter valve fault
If your boiler pressure is normal but there isn’t any flow coming through, it could suggest that there is a problem with the diverter valve. Also, if your taps are getting hot water but you aren’t getting it in your radiators, it could be a sign that your diverter valve is stuck. This isn’t a problem that you should try and fix yourself, it requires an experienced Gas Safe registered engineer.
Buy boiler parts and spares online
If you’re having trouble with your boiler and heating system and require certain parts for your engineer to resolve the faults, National Boiler Spares have got you covered. As experienced boiler spare parts suppliers we stock new and refurbished parts for many boiler brands and models. Explore our full range of products online and get fast and reliable home delivery.