A heating system consists of a boiler and radiators, connected by a pipe bringing hot water. But it can happen that air enters this circuit, forming bubbles, which prevents the water from being distributed evenly in the pipes. This is where you hear your radiator making noise, which reduces its energy performance. Draining a radiator removes air and allows water to circulate properly in the heating circuit. The heat is optimally distributed in the body of the radiator for well-being in your home. If it is advisable to do it preventively, before reheating, it may also happen that you have to do it when you have already restarted the heating. Yes,but how to bleed a radiator? You will see that it is a very easy operation to perform, which does not require the intervention of a professional.
When to bleed your radiators?
Bleeding its radiators releases the air accumulated in the heating system piping and thus makes it more functional.
This is often what happens between two heating periods, that is to say between the moment you stop your heating and the restart: the air enters and takes the place of water.
By purging your heating circuit, you will have more efficient radiators, homogeneous heat in your home and especially no overconsumption of energy.
Bleeding your radiators is part of a regular maintenance to be carried out at least once a year.
Ideally, you can do this in late summer or early fall, before restarting your heating circuit.
This is the ideal period since the radiators are cold, because it is always necessary to drain a radiator when it is cold and not working.
This will ensure that you have an installation in good working order for the coming winter.
If you have a maintenance contract for your boiler, the bleeding of the radiators is provided for in the annual contract.
You can then have peace of mind and let the professional take care of it.
If you have already restarted your heating, you may also find that the upper part remains cold, or that the radiator heats up less than usual.
It is therefore necessary to bleed the radiator concerned.
If you hear water flowing noises, or air bubbles in the pipes, again this indicates that you need to purge your radiator.
How to properly bleed a radiator
If you hear water flowing noises, or air bubbles in the pipes, again this indicates that you need to purge your radiator.
Knowing how to bleed a radiator is really not difficult.
It is nevertheless necessary to have some accessories:
a bleed key or water pump pliers,
a basin to collect the water,
gloves,
rags.
First, make sure the boiler is off and the radiators are cool.
The heater should not be running.
If this is not the case, turn down the radiators, turn off the boiler and wait a few hours for the system to cool.
Start by loosening the bleeder screw which is usually located on the side of the radiator, at the top.
Then, position the basin under the bleed screw, put a rag on the ground just below to avoid splashing on the floor and allow the air to escape and the water to drain.
Once all the air is evacuated and the water flows evenly, you can screw the bleed screw back in and do the same for the other radiators.
If you notice that the water coming out of your radiator is dark, it means that your installation may be muddy.
Mud has accumulated over time in your network and prevents the proper circulation of water in the circuit.
It is preferable in this case to contact a professional who can carry out sludge removal.
After bleeding his radiators
When you have purged all the radiators, it is important to check the pressure in your boiler, which must have dropped. To restore pressure. All you have to do is open the filling valve (located under the boiler) and let it fill with water to the desired pressure, generally between 1 and 1.5 bars for a house. If you live in a two-story apartment, the pressure should be between 1.8 and 2 bars. You can then restart your boiler and raise the temperature of your radiators if necessary.
Your radiators are purged and ready to operate optimally to heat your home.
A few hours after restarting, check your radiators to verify that they are heating correctly and that the traps are not leaking.
If so, you may not have tightened the bleed screw enough.
Do it, without forcing.
All radiators are not affected by the bleeding, this only concerns radiators that work with water: cast iron radiators, gas, fuel oil.
Finally, there are now recent models of radiators, fitted with automatic bleeders.
You therefore do not need to purge your radiators.