Sometimes you may detect a small leak coming from the top of your radiator and it may be your bleed valve.To prevent further leakage from a radiator bleed valve, you must follow these steps carefully:
For your own safety, it is essential to switch off the heating system and wait for your radiator to cool down before touching its surface. The metal may become extremely hot after use and can cause serious burns if handled prematurely.
Close the valves at the bottom of each side of the radiator by turning them both clockwise until tight.
You can easily recognize the bleed valve on your radiator; it is typically located at the top of the device and has a small knob or screw. It possesses either a hexagonal or square form, slightly tucked into your radiator's surface.
To rid the radiator of excess air and water, spin the bleed valve counterclockwise with either a radiator key or flat-head screwdriver. Listen for a hiss as you open it—you may even observe tiny droplets coming from its opening!
After the bleed valve ends its hissing, use a towel or rag to wipe away any water that may have escaped.
Carefully unscrew the bleed valve from the radiator in a counterclockwise direction, then gently pull it out. To ensure seamless operation down-the-line, be mindful not to compromise any of its threads and collect any excess water.
Heading to your local hardware or heating supply store? Don't forget to take the old bleed valve with you. It is imperative that you purchase a replacement which matches in size and thread type; be sure it's compatible with your radiator too!
Clean the threads of the radiator and the new bleed valve before installing it.
Carefully slot the new bleed valve into its hole on the radiator, then rotate it clockwise to firmly secure it.
Turn the heating back on and check for any leaks.
Open the valves at the bottom of each side of the radiator by turning them both anti-clockwise.
Open the bleed valve again and let the air out, this time you should see water coming out. Close the valve as soon as water starts to squirt out.
It is important to note that, If you find that the bleed valve is still leaking, it may be a sign of a larger problem with the radiator or the heating system. In this case, it is recommended to contact a professional plumber or emergency plumber to diagnose and fix the issue.
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