Don’t forget about your radiators in winter!

We’ve mentioned before how important it is to keep an eye on your boiler, especially at this time of year. You do it not only to keep you safe and warm but also to save you money. A boiler on the blink can lead to less-efficient heating, and therefore higher energy bills, it can be noisy and, in the worst cases, can lead to deadly carbon monoxide emissions. This tragically kills around 30 people in the UK every year.

It’s why most of us keep a cautious watch on our boilers. Whether it’s through the annual service we get from our boiler service provider to stop any potential breakdowns in their tracks, or whether we are making a point to check the system in times of low usage, it all goes towards helping you save money and live healthily.

But what about your radiators? When was the last time you gave them a thorough check?

Common problems with radiators in winter

It’s not just boilers that can cause issues. Of the many call-outs plumbers and heating engineers receive each year, many of them involve radiators. But, more often than not, these are easy to solve on your own. Save yourself money by checking whether your problem can only be solved by a qualified plumber or a little DIY. Take a look at these common problems to assess for yourself:

1. Hot at the bottom cold at the top – This means your radiators need to be bled. It’s a simple problem to solve with a radiator valve key. You can find out more information here in our guide.
2. Hot at the top cold at the bottom – This might indicate a build-up of sludge. To solve this, take the radiator off the wall and flush it out with water. If this doesn’t solve the problem, it might be your pump that is the real issue.

Call in the experts

This next set of problems are equally common, but they might be issues you can’t solve. In these cases, always call a reliable plumber:

1. Radiators aren’t heating up – If your heating is on but your radiators aren’t, a plumber might be able to help you locate the problem.
2. A noisy radiator – This can be due to air getting into the heating system. Your radiators may need a power flush or a pump replacement. This needs to be done by a central heating engineer.
3. A leaking radiator – Turn the valves off and contact a plumber as soon as possible.

Taking proper care of your radiators in winter – and indeed throughout the year – means there will be no surprises later down the line due to sudden breakdowns or changes. You’ll save money on emergency call outs and be able to heat your home more efficiently.

If you find that you have an issue with your radiator that you can’t solve on your own, don’t hesitate to get in touch with GOS Heating on 01772 734 966. Our heating engineers will have you back up and running in no time.