Central Heating Tips

If you suspect there's something wrong with the central

heating, consult our list of symptoms and damage diagnosis.
Cold, cool, getting warmer - radiator symptoms
Book a Homeserve approved Engineer if you're in any doubt, but read our handy tips on what to
do if your radiators have any of these symptoms:

Top section is cold

This probably means there's air in the system and the radiator needs bleeding'. To bleed your
radiator:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Turn off the heat

Find the bleed valve, this is usually on one side near the top
Place a cloth underneath the bleed valve
Use a radiator key to gently release the valve and listen for the hiss of escaping air
Tighten the valve as soon as water begins to flow, and use the cloth to clean up - be
careful as the water can be scalding hot
6. Switch the heat back on
If you find you need to bleed your radiators frequently, you need to call a Homeserve approved
engineer on 0800 073 3311 or get a free quote online now.

Bottom section is cold or all radiators are cold or luke-warm

This means rust and sludge are obstructing the bottom part of the radiator. To clean your radiator
you will need to remove it:
1. Turn off the heat
2. Protect the carpet or floor with cloths and fetch a spanner or pliers, a wrench and a few
bowls ready to catch water
3. Close the valves at each end of the radiator. You will need to remove the plastic shield
from the lockshield valve' and close it with the spanner or pliers.
4. Open the bleed valve, at the side near the top of the radiator, to allow water to escape. If
water keeps running then the other valves are not closed properly.
5. Use the bowls to catch any water and undo the nuts that hold the radiator to the valves on
each end. Do this slowly to catch all the water.
6. Get someone to help lift a heavy radiator from the brackets
7. Drain any remaining water into the bowls
8. Keep the radiator upright and carry it outside

9. Stand the radiator on end, flush out the sludge with a hosepipe and clean it before
bringing it back in
10. Check the brackets are secure, place the radiator back on the wall and reconnect the nuts
Open the valves to fill the radiator with water again, open the bleed valve to allow air to escape
and reset the lockshield valve.

Only upstairs radiators are cold

This may mean that the feed and expansion cistern in your loft has run dry, often caused by a
jammed or obstructed ball valve. To fix the cistern:
1. Clear any obstruction or worn parts
2. Check there is just enough water to make the ball float when the system is cold,
much more than this and there won't be enough room when it heats up

Only downstairs radiators are cold

It is likely that the pump is broken, call out an engineer on 0800 073 3311 to test it and replace
it. Alternatively, get a free quote online first.

Radiators are cooler in one area of the house

When heat is irregular the system is unbalanced. To balance it, you need a pair of radiator
thermometers and then:
1. Turn off the heat and allow the system to cool
2. Turn on the valves at each end of every radiator, the lockshield valve has a plastic
cover you will need to remove and then turn using pliers
3. Turn the heating back on and work out the order in which the radiators heat up
4. Start with the first radiator. Place a thermometer on the pipe at both ends
5. Turn off the lockshield valve and gradually turn it back on until the difference
between the two thermometers is minimal
6. Repeat on the second radiator and every radiator in turn; when you've finished
you'll have a balanced system

Radiators are warm upstairs when the heating is off, and the hot water is on

If you have a gravity fed system, then the check valve is broken, you will need to call out a
qualified heating engineer on 0800 073 3311 to test it and replace it. Alternatively, get a free
online quote first.
Remember to print this page or add us to favourites for when you need some useful
guidance or tips.

What's that sound? Other central heating symptoms

Book a Homeserve tradesman if you're in any doubt, but you can make a quick diagnosis if you
recognise any of these symptoms:

No heating or hot water

These checks may help you to identify the problem:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Check that your power supply is working and a fuse hasn't blown
Check gas hasn't been turned off or you have enough oil in tank
Check that your thermostats and control switches are turned on
Check the pump is running
Check the pilot light is lit, your boiler manual will show you how to relight it

If they don't work you'll need to call out a CORGI Registered Installer.

Sound of water gurgling

The sound of water gurgling probably means there's air in the system and the radiator needs
bleeding'. To bleed your radiator:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Turn off the heat

Find the bleed valve, this is usually on one side near the top
Place a cloth underneath the bleed valve
Use a radiator key to gently release the valve and listen for the hiss of escaping air
Tighten the valve as soon as water begins to flow, and use the cloth to clean up be careful as the water can be scalding hot
6. Switch the heat back on
If you find you need to bleed your radiators frequently, you need to call a Homeserve approved
engineer on 0800 073 3311 or get a free quote online now.

Humming

Humming noises are usually caused by the pump that sends water round the system; follow these
steps to solve the problem:
1. Lower the setting on the pump
2. Fit the pump on to brackets that absorb its vibrations
3. Check pipes are the right size, to do this you may need to get in CORGI
Registered Installerr

Knocks and creaking

As pipes expand and contract, they can rub against joists and walls causing strange noises. To
prevent bumps in the night:

Find out where the noise is coming from

Work out where the pipes are rubbing or don't have enough space
Widen the space around the pipe carefully with a saw or chisel but note that too much
space might weaken the pipe
You can also use fibreglass insulation to cover the pipes

In some cases noise can come from unsupported pipes:

Always secure pipes that have a lot of free movement with pipe clips
Noisy boiler

A noisy boiler can be caused by scale and sludge inside, restricted water flow, pockets of steam
or even trapped air.
In every case you'll need to call out a CORGI Registered Installer to find the cause and repair the
boiler.
Bookmark us, or remember this page for when you need some useful guidance or tips.
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