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Central Heating

Radiator not filling up after it was removed and re-installed for plastering wall.

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 2.47 PM

The radiator in the living room,ground floor, which is a single panel radiator measuring about 7 feet x 1.5 feet was removed for plastering and re-installed by the plasterer. Now only the bottom of the radiator about 7 inches from bottom is getting hot but the top half of it remains cold all the time. I have open vent system of central heating. The other SIX radiators in the house are working fine with full top to bottom filling up with water. WHAT I HAVE DONE SO FAR: 1. I tried to bleed it> No air came out and the radiator did not fill up. 2. I topped up the small tank in the loft. No result. 3. I tried closing one knob keeping the other open> no good. 4. I alternated number 3> no help. 5. I shut down the other 6 radiators and tried to fill this single large radiator> no good. Opening one knob does make sound as if water is moving in, but the level does not rise above 7 inches. Ques: What should I do now? I is unlikely that the entry and exit valves are blocked with plaster as some amount of water is definitely coming in otherwise it would not have heated up at all. Please advise. Thanks.

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2 Answers

Anonymous user

I suggest it would be a good idea to isolate the radiator via its lockshield and thermostatic valve, then drain and remove from the wall. Now the radiator is out of the way, it would be a good idea to place a large container under each of the valves in turn and carefully open them to see if the water flows easily and there is no blockage. On the assumption that all is okay then remove bleed plug from radiator and check there is no blockage here. Replace radiator, tighten joints and with the pump turned off, open valves one at a time. You should hear a small amount of water enter the radiator from both valves. Open bleed valve to confirm air is being expelled. If the problem still remains than suspect a "blocked cold feed" pipe. This can easily be confirmed by attaching a hose to a drain point, place the hose outside and open drain valve. You should experience the float valve in the tank in the loft drop down to replace the water as it empties from the system. Immediately the float valve opens close the drain point to prevent a low water level occurring. If the valve did not open after only a minute of two than its likely you have a blockage on the cold feed pipe into the system. This is quite common particularly on systems that have a degree of muck inside them. Its a simple job for a competent heating engineer to identify and sort out.
Answered12 March 2017
4

D & R Property and Plumbing Maintenance

Rating: 4.9 out of 5
New Romney
blockage plaster in valves,or thermostatic valve jammed shut.
Answered8 March 2017
2