Radiator Not Getting Hot? - Plumbing DIY

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Do you have a cold radiator that needs fixing? Would you like to try fixing it yourself? Then look no further.
Roger troubleshoots that problem radiator.
How to fix that one cold radiator - Plumbing Tips
"If you have a radiator that isn't getting hot there are a few things potentially happening.
"Your central heating might be on and your other radiators are warm but you have one cold radiator.
"If you feel the radiator and you find that there are cold spots but that it's getting warm at the top then the problem is sludge which is basically the system corroding away which is building up a layer of sludge which is oxide in the bottom of the radiator which means the water isn't able to find its way through. If the problem isn't too severe you can inject a little bit of sludge remover or system cleanser into the radiator and let that run around the system for a few weeks and then drain the system. If you can't do that, the next step is to take the radio down and take it outside to be flushed through with a hose. If that isn't effective the next option is a power flush.
"Another common problem is air collecting along the top of the radiator which means that the bottom is hot and the top is cold. In that situation you need a radiator key, my preference is a brass one and then you need to find the bleed point on the end of the radiator and turn it using the key. You only need to turn it a tiny amount until you hear it hissing and see some water come out which means that the air has gone and the water is in the top. If you find you have to do this regularly it means that you have air coming into the system in which case you need to have the system looked at. If you are having to bleed them every few months it means you might have corrosion which might lead to leaks in your radiators and even your boiler.
"Another common problem is with the pipe leading into the radiator getting hot but no further. Very often radiators have thermostatic radiator valves and sometimes they jam. Once you take the actuator top off you will see a pin at the top of the valve which you can move it up and down and it should start to function."
Balancing radiators is another common issue and balancing your central heating system will be covered in another video.
#Plumbing #Heating #Radiator
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[@SkillBuilder]

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[@joeli9658]

He is a good and caring plumber. Why can't we have more like him?

[@marksandsmith6778]

People like Roger are saints . Simply modern saints. Putting this information out saves time effort stress and cash. Many thanks Mark

[@SalimKhan-gk1fh]

Roger must be one of my favourite tradesmen on KZbin to watch! he’s got excellent presentation skills And explains things in a clear precise manner Top marks to you on this very helpful video

[@42RHD]

They are paying you for the experience of a lifetime! Thank you, I'll try that on my clogged radiator valves

[@julitt4317]

Thank you SO MUCH! You have just saved me a fair amount of money as I had two radiators which had stopped working after the summer. My husband died in May and I usually left this kind of thing to him, but a bit of tapping with the rubber handle of my plyers and they re both working!!

[@SkillBuilder]

I am glad we could help. It is hard when your partner dies. If my wife goes before me I won't know how to spend money because she does it all.

[@s10m0t10n]

One radiator not working this morning, so looked at this video. A few minutes work removing the thermostatic rad. valve, a shot of WD40 and some gentle pressure with the side of a spanner and I now have a fully working radiator. That piece of advice earned a sub and like. Thanks.

[@AnnaSwadds]

Oh my goodness, I fixed it! Thank you so much. My water level was wrong. Now my sitting room is toasted again and it saved me lots of money right before Christmas! You're an angel.

[@danielthornton8820]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I’ve recently turned on the heating… as most have, and I had an issue where my Daughters radiator, it wasn’t heating up at all! I remember a while ago watching a video of Roger and I went back today, found this video and I followed step by step with taking off the thermostats valve, and voila… the pin was lodged ‘down’, meaning the radiator wasn’t getting any heat. I pressed down a few times to loosen it up and it’s all good now! An instant result - top gent!

[@neilshah1060]

Thanks, simply tapping the pin has done the trick on one of my radiators that wasn't heating up at all. Saved me £60 excess on my boiler and heating plan!

[@SkillBuilder]

Excellent!

[@barbelljoe]

Thanks! That trick with wiggling the thermostat pin and tapping it literally saved me a hundred quid today!

[@andysherman711]

Wife told me to ‘Google’ about our 1 x cold radiator, a quick KZbin search and after watching this video, finding the TRV pin firmly down, and tapping all around and on top of the pin, it released. I have the pin a good squish down and up a few times, and by the time I had the TRV replaced I had a roasting hot radiator. Thank you sir kindly. Andy.

[@alanlilley7781]

Properly explained - logic in the correct order - not sure why one of the other videos on You Tube starts with closing the lockshield valve after indication that the system was previously working OK, never mind missing the number of turns for a reset. Very professional explanation.

[@starduststudios]

Thanks! Been watching your videos for the last couple of months because I find the items you discuss fascinating even though I wouldn’t usually undertake any plumbing myself! Today though you saved me calling a plumber for a simple job. Removed the TRV control and got the pin working again. Bingo! Warm radiator. Thanks!!

[@andrejarvis8314]

You have just taught a 73 year lady how to bleed a radiator working a treat now thank you

[@net2netcat]

Hello, 11/18, the help offerings are very good but I have to make an excuse for living cause I don't have hvacs, I don't have vents issues, I don't have 2 furnaces or zone conflicts but I have tried and true furnace galvanized pipes with 1st and 2nd floor heating difference. Most of the submissions only cover air and heating systems.

[@TheBrokenOmega]

Honestly, this video was a game changer! I've had three cold rads around my house for a while. The thermo valve pin press and tap solved this issue. Thank you so much!

[@SkillBuilder]

Glad it helped! So many people seem to live with cold rads for years

[@michaelkelly3356]

Brilliant stuff . You just saved me €100s cause I had 4 cold rads and had no idea why. TRV was stuck on all of them . Thanks a million

[@garyputa4569]

Roger, Just moved into a rather unique, albeit, 100 year old apartment in freezing old Green Bay, WI USA. Woke up freezing with a cold dead radiator. After watching your awesome video, had the old girl gurgling within seconds. Thanks, You're the Man! The pints are on me if you ever visit Green Bay....but I'd suggest visiting in July....not November! Keep up the Great Work. Gary

[@busygoblinpaintingstudio2985]

Thank you so much. I never knew you could take those valves off, and definitely didnt know that they could stick. Brilliant video.

[@Kelvin_7]

Thank you for the good job, I was at the verge of calling an engineer to look into my radiators issues. Having watched your video done the miracle. Thank you

[@eepe5221]

Thank you so much. Just took the thermostat valve off and followed your suggestion. Tapped and hey presto. Radiator working at full capacity. I have spend the last 18 months and had four plumbers look at this radiator. Even had the thermostat valve replaced by one. I can't believe no-one thought of your suggestion. Thank you so much.

[@lorenzoskyhawk]

Thank you so much for this video, my bedroom radiator was hot on top and cold at the bottom.... so i went and turned two other radiators down and now i can hear the water entering my radiator and it's starting to heat up the whole radiator.... cheers!

[@Stormline]

Absolutely excellent. Checked the valve and sure enough it was stuck. Pressed down on it a few times as per video and 'hey-presto' it released itself. Thank you so much. Saved so much hassle and money!!

[@andyh5952]

Brilliant video. Had an issue with a radiator for years and now working after following your advice. Taken a bit of time balancing other radiators but worth the really easy process.

[@MsZoeSings]

This guy is to thank for getting my upstairs radiators to work again. Absolutely brilliant video. Thank you thank you thank you!

[@SkillBuilder]

Thanks, glad we could help

[@madebythebird]

Ditto! It's a bleed-fest out here after the summer. Boiler is finally staying on!

[@acmilanfan1982]

@nicola simpkins Try turning off most of the radiators when the heating is on, don't turn them all off as the system needs to flow, also feel the pipes coming into the rad to see if they are warming a little bit, if they are stone cold then something is blocking the flow to that rad. Sometimes you do need to bite the bullet and just call a plumber unfortunately

[@glennwwww]

Just fixed my stuck thermostatic valve with the help of this video! Thank you 😁

[@jayamay]

Would love to see an episode on balancing radiators through central heating system 👍

[@michaelofori4113]

Sir, you're an absolute legend. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@bseddonmusic1]

Great video, really useful. Have exactly this in a spare room. After a few minutes pressing and banging (with rubber covered pliers handles) the thermostatic value pin popped up. Thanks for the advice. Just in time for the expected cold snap.

[@douglasmackay3842]

Hi Roger, Thanks for saving me an £85 call out today. Your information was spot on and fixed my cold radiator problem, the pin was the problem. Brilliant, thanks again.

[@SkillBuilder]

Glad it helped

[@carterdraws700]

Thanks! We’ve had a cold radiator in the basement for a couple of years. Didn’t occur to me to try to adjust the others to get it working ! Worked a treat - 👍

[@SkillBuilder]

Glad it helped!

[@stephenfrench4293]

Thank you so much for your help had a sticky valve sorted out now radiator works perfectly cheers

[@SkillBuilder]

Glad it helped

[@traciebrookes8231]

Thank you my cold radiator is now hot with as you said a few gentle taps great video easy to follow

[@TheJimbosteveASMR]

Thank you so much mate, you are a great help. I don’t trust anyone in my house any more. I’ll know I’ll do a better job and I eliminate the chances of being ripped off. It’s all about the knowledge, anyone can do anything just learn how to do it and take your time. Top fella!

[@mandynewman8234]

I had to find a video which explained this - currently letting all the air out of my radiators and looking forward to being warm again. Thanks a million.

[@statikra]

I could listen to him talk all day.

[@Clapped_by_Lennon]

T M lol me too cool dude gotta be the accent he so into it lol

[@moriomk1101]

Thank you for this video. It really helped, I managed to get my sitting room radiotor heating up again without needing to call the plumber. Very helpful!

[@nioniospao13]

Helped getting my 3 of 7 radiators working (stuck thermostatic valves) . Thank you !!!!

[@martinnewton6891]

Stuck Drayton Valve, advice worked for me, many thanks.

[@steveguy3268]

Thanks for the advice, I had a cold radiator tried pressing the valve in and out with no joy, but after watching your vid a few light knocks did the trick , Excellent advice.

[@miniaturegemsstore7584]

Thank you thank you thank you!!! I managed to fix the problem because of your incredible video! The little thermostat pin had got stuck…a little tap on top and I can feel hot water!!! 🎉 thank you so so much for teaching me something new and saving me a call out 🙏🏻

[@nikkir3015]

Amazing! Stone cold radiator in the living room - ruled out sludge and air and “wiggled the thing” in the third fix suggested and it’s working! *adds ‘plumber’ to CV* Thank you!

[@SkillBuilder]

Well done Nikki. I would hate to think this is the beigining of a plumbing career. Look what it did to me.

[@lenny108]

hopefully, this type of cost-intensive heating system will soon disappear. Houses should be isolated in such a way that you do not require such a piece of equipment. Formerly throughout the middle ages houses were built by people who thought "we can cut down all these crazy forests everywhere and have some big stoves in every room". Nowadays this is of course madness, crazy. So actually it should be made illegal to construct new houses that require a combustor to keep a few rooms warm during winter.

[@RooRichy]

My kitchen radiator hasn't been working for over a year and tapping it got it working again! Thanks so much!

[@SkillBuilder]

I am glad it worked so well. You kind of kick yourself for not doing something so simple but knowing what to do is the key.

[@garywilkinson1224]

👍 I tried bleeding the radiators but found no trapped air. Found the problem to be the fused pin. Wiggled it as you said and good as new. Saved me a few quid. Thanks for the advise.

[@jamiegreen6177]

The little tapping trick just got mine sorted! Saved me a few bob, top man.

[@stevewoodward7850]

Great advice and well presented from a plumber who knows his stuff. Thank you!

[@nc3657]

Thanks a lot for this video. One radiator had stopped warming up altogether. Just tapping at the valve as you do in the video fixed it. It is getting hot now. Brilliant video!

[@SkillBuilder]

I am so glad it helped. This is not the time to be in a cold house.

[@tracyjereb7999]

Fantastic......... finally got the radiator in the kitchen working. Sticky valve! Thank you so much for your clear instruction.

[@TC-hu8oe]

Thank you! just bled radiators. Still have one thats not getting hot but its the end of the run. We'll try and see if its a stuck pin on sat. If not we'll watch your video on balancing. Thumbs up here!

[@HatBoyHarvey]

Awesome concise explanation Roger which has helped me to confirm what I was thinking anyway, I need to reduce the flow to my central radiator to get the ones at the extremities working, thanks, great video.

[@Manjy21now]

This is perfect. Well explained and I managed to sort out the issues I was having with my radiator in a few mins!

[@katiefinnegan4649]

Omg 😂 that’s probably what happened. I removed a downstairs rad to decorate and an upstairs one stopped working 😂. Thanks Roger. I’ll give that a go.

[@samandarsamari3265]

This gentleman explains clearly- I like his tips - thank you sir - sadly not a handly ma but I tell my plumber who said it is all gimmick to power flush- I guess even Plumbers do not want others to improve - sad u caring world- maybe future plumbers will be more help ful when they come and charge but do not do the job..

[@SkillBuilder]

Your plumber is right in as much as you can flush a system out with mains water by removing each radiator and hooking up a hose but a powerflush machine does it faster.

[@2006craig]

Ahh it was the pin in the TRV!! Thanks, Roger 👍

[@iwannabentley]

Brilliant, thank you. Just got my spare room rad working. Needed a little love tap.

[@RedJam65]

Great tip about the stuck valve, got my rad working again, many thanks!

[@3dims]

Thanks for this video, exercising the pins on two rad valves has worked a treat.

[@ponymoore6140]

THANK YOU, moving the pin and knocking the pip fixed my problem :)

[@SkillBuilder]

Glad it helped!

[@trinity396]

Thank you.leaking the air out of radiator worked 100 percent.

[@mikebrown3799]

Thanks for this! You helped me fix my radiator; finally! The bit at 7:30 was the minor thing I needed. Thank you.

[@soumiabaker6985]

I'm laughing out loud! I did the banging trick on the valve and then I felt the radiator getting warm. I can't believe it worked!!! 🤣🤣🤣 Thank you!!!! My radiator hasn't worked in about 2 years!

[@SkillBuilder]

You can't bit a little bit of tapping in the right place

[@scotttimms7735]

Great advice - working the thermostat pin did the trick. The radiator is working great again. Thank you very much.

[@SkillBuilder]

Great to hear!

[@sodiacTV]

Thank you Gentleman, I thought I will have a freezing winter as I just moved house but fixed it with your help :)

[@robertnewsome3663]

Thank's for that,all my rad's were working bar one you were right about the sticking Valve, thank's again.

[@shootingfromthehip3600]

Thanks. Not exactly the problems I had but helped me to learn about my radiator and get it working. Good and clear explanation.

[@matthurley8892]

Thank you. Worked great with freeing up the pin on the thermostat dial.

[@evervol1]

Good tip for the turn counting on the lockshield .. I always put a pencil mark on them to keep track of the number of turns I've even used tippex to mark it lol.. sometimes it's hard to remember stuff when your rushing around on site

[@SkillBuilder]

That's a great idea!

[@katieives9182]

Just diagnosed and fixed my radiator due to the valve tip in this thank you 😊

[@SkillBuilder]

Excellent!

[@bullvine2062]

I know this video is old, however it just sorted out my new rads. I never have the heating on upstairs as it's a new house and massively insulated. Today I put it on as it's snowing, guess what two rads dead. System had a flush and inhibitor put in so I know it's good. Top off the TRV and a tap, bam all good, thank you very much.

[@SkillBuilder]

This video is timeless. Whenever it gets cold the views rocket. Funny that

[@jfedererj]

Yup, pin beneath the thermostatic valve was stuck down. A little bit of gentle up and down pressure on the pin did the job perfectly, exactly as Uncle Roger said it would.

[@battlestarb6483]

Roger is amazing, wish he could check my system

[@joe2mercs]

Roger there are essentially two types of TRVs. The cheaper trade TRVs are generally slim and consist of the usual valve seat arrangement beneath the temperature setting external knob. These TRVs offer full flow and a radiator system using these can only be balanced by adjusting the lock shield valves. The second, often more expensive TRVs, are generally of a fatter type. Beneath the temperature setting knob you will find a circular outer collar around the valve stem inner sleeve. Embossed on this collar are the numbers 1 to 6. These numbers correspond to the levels of restricted flow through the TRV valve itself where 1 = minimum flow and 6 = maximum flow. When you have these more expensive TRV valves fitted then the lock shield valves should be left fully on. To balance the radiator system remove all the temperature setting knobs and set the collars to “3”. The number must be aligned with the direction of the radiator outlet pipe. Now turn the central heating on. For the radiator that gets hot first, using a self gripping wrench, turn the collar to “1”. For the coldest radiator, set this to “6”. Adjust the remaining radiators between 2 and 5 depending on how quickly they warm up. ALWAYS align a whole number on the collar with the radiator outlet, DO NOT align a gap between numbers as this will shut the valve. Once balanced refit the temperature setting knobs and set the temperatures you require for each room. If you need to power flush your system make a note of the collar setting for each radiator and then set them all to “6” to open all the valve passages to the widest setting to allow a good flush through. Afterwards reset the valve collars back to their previously settings numbers and remount the temperature setting knobs.

[@stephenbrazil6552]

Yayyy totally worked tapping the valve. Thank you very much. You are a STAR mate!!!

[@MuckoMan]

Sounds like Roger Daltrey is giving me advice if I close my eyes.

[@jamesgallagher1992]

Class🤣🤘🤘

[@jamesbusulwa1068]

5 minute after watching this video, I fixed the radiator which was not working in the whole house for weeks!!!

[@drted1282]

Just found your channel Roger as I need a few plumbing jobs fixing around the house and yes, you've guessed it I cannot find a plumber anywhere! "I'll give you a call in a couple of days" but they never do {and that was x3} So, great channel, great presentation, I know what I am doing now having watched the vlogs I have the confidence. Many thanks indeed.

[@smiley6173]

🙇‍♀️Thank you for doing this video!!!! Such clear information, my mama's home is so old. I really didn't know where to start. But I will TRY my best. It's COLDDD in Chicago 01Nov2019....😔🙈

[@ChucksDream]

This has done the trick with the pin. Good video mate

[@yetanotherbeliever]

Managed to fix and balance my radiators because to your videos. Thank you.

[@johnnybethnalgreenkent8747]

Thanks geezer , mrs is warm now 👍top video

[@Bigashify]

Av only gone and bloody done it.! Brilliant thank you.

[@andrewclack4881]

sussed it! Go that pin released and in seconds the rad was to hot to touch. Cheers mate-Hope your still out there doing stuff like this.

[@SkillBuilder]

Hi Andrew Last time I checked I was still out here. I take nothing for granted.

[@RossDixonTeaching]

Thankyou Sir very helpful warming my final radiator (Jammed Valve) have a very merry Christmas and thanks for the lesson.

[@himynameisandyb]

Thanks! Just fixed my radiator in 10 mins. The pin got jammed just like you said

[@craigmulcahy2759]

Sticky thermostat valve,thanks I had no idea and now have a hot rad thanks alot

[@TeeTimeChambers]

I like the way he strokes the radiator like it's been a good little radiator.

[@SkillBuilder]

I don't have a cat or dog so I have to improvise.

[@hpmoon]

Always amazed at the time and generosity spent on making these videos, yet just by skipping one super important distinction, it ends up wasting tons of time multiplied by thousands of inadvertent views. Specifically: this video should have made clear it's only relevant to WATER radiators, NOT steam radiators.

[@SkillBuilder]

Hi Paul I have never seen a steam radiator in the U.K. We just don't have them these days.

[@hpmoon]

@@SkillBuilder It would help nonetheless to caption as such, but that's surprising and interesting. New York City, for example, is nearly 100% steam radiators.

[@RichardHamilton79]

Really useful, thanks Roger. Looking forward to the follow up video 👍

[@mikeking7470]

Not a plumber but I have a bleed key on my key ring and a Allen key for dogging doors at work (and a hand cuff key but that's another story).

[@teecee3250]

Thank you so very much you just made a young lady so happy!!

[@SkillBuilder]

You are so welcome! It doesn't happen often these days.

[@victoriadrury9313]

FANTASTIC, thanks bathroom radiator now working!!!!

[@MiaLabe]

Thank you so much for this video. I managed to sort my issue without needing a plumber. 👍🏽

[@iabram8993]

You are brilliant - thank you. Really excellent explanation.

[@santaaurokium3222]

Thank you very helpful video, I like to learn to do things around the house and watching your video is easy and simple to understand.

[@YohXoX]

Thank you so much! Rarely KZbin has given me exactly what I have been looking for! My radiators in garage were completely cold. Tried de-airing, tired to balance old water vent. In the end turns out it was thermostat pin that was stuck!

[@101nagen]

give ya a top tip, hacksaw the tip/beloved part off ya rad key, it will fit everything!!!

[@cdh601]

Just a little add to the stuck Trv shut the lockshield then release the pressure through the air vent, the system pressure is now assisting to push that stuck valve open ..

[@SkillBuilder]

good tip

[@cdh601]

@@SkillBuilder just one other thing to add Roger, the vast majority of these stuck valves I've noticed is when the heating is put on after the summer probably due to people leaving them set at say No 3 = appox 20 degrees right through the summer and as our houses go above that temperature for sometimes many weeks the valves quietly do their job and remain shut then hey presto "my radiator doesn't work" in the autumn. All trvs should be set at maximum to help prevent this from happening and give them a rest.

[@chiche9121]

I love how honest he is thanks 😁 x

[@juliejohn8631]

u just saved my winter thank you so much i could cry lol

[@stealhty1]

My Man is Absolutely Right