Service
Central Heating Repairs
Radiators that stay cold, noisy pipes, leaks, sludge and faulty controls: the problems in the system rather than the boiler.
Problems that are not the boiler
A boiler can be working perfectly while the house stays cold. Radiators that are cold at the top have trapped air and need bleeding. Radiators that are cold at the bottom usually have sludge. Some radiators hot and others cold can mean the system needs balancing, a radiator valve has stuck, or a zone valve or motorised valve has failed.
Kettling or banging noises often come from limescale or sludge in the heat exchanger. A system that loses pressure has a leak somewhere, or a pressure relief valve or expansion vessel that needs attention. Thermostats, timers and wireless controls can also fail and look like a boiler fault.
Cleaning a system
A powerflush or chemical clean removes sludge and restores circulation, and a magnetic filter and inhibitor stop it building back up. On an old system with corroded radiators, a clean can expose weak points, and an honest engineer will say when parts of the system are past saving.
Where we cover
Common questions
How do I bleed a radiator?
With the heating off and the radiators cool, use a radiator key to open the bleed valve at the top corner a quarter turn, with a cloth underneath. When water rather than air comes out, close it. Then check the boiler pressure, since bleeding lets some water out, and top up if it has dropped below about 1 bar.
Do I need a powerflush?
Not always. If several radiators are cold at the bottom, the water is black when you bleed them, or the boiler is noisy, the system probably needs cleaning. A powerflush is also usually recommended before fitting a new boiler. It is not a cure for every heating problem, so it should follow a diagnosis rather than replace one.
Enquire about heating systems
Tell us what the boiler is doing, whether it runs on gas, oil or LPG, and where you are, and we will put you in touch with a registered heating engineer where one covers your area. No charge for the introduction, and no obligation.