Plumber tells how to make radiators hotter and warm up faster when there’s snow in Britain
A HEATING expert has shared the easy way to keep your radiators working at their best, and it comes just in time as Britain is blanketed in snow.
It seems like our radiators and boilers tend to break down as soon as it gets cold, but plumber Zhelyazko Yanchev has shared three simple tricks to ensure this doesn’t happen and keep your radiators running efficiently.
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The plumber from Fantastic Services says that most radiator problems are easy to fix yourself and can be done completely free.
He added that: “There are plenty of ways to make radiators hotter and heat up faster, without buying a new boiler and using expensive or specialist tools.
“Hot water radiator systems are very simple and the problems are probably just as simple.”
Clean up
According to the plumber, the quickest and easiest way to make your radiators work more efficiently is to clean them and check that there are no objects in the way.
He told the Emphatic: “That’s because radiators work according to the principle that warm air rises through natural convection.
“Cold air is sucked in at the bottom of the radiator and rises out warm at the top.”
Items placed on or under the radiator can restrict airflow, so it is essential to keep them free of clutter.
Not only that, but dust can also block the center of the radiator, preventing it from working properly.
Use a duster to reach behind the radiator, front and center to remove any debris.
Make them bleed
One way to know if your radiators need to be bled is to check if the radiator is cold at the top and hot at the bottom.
This means that air is trapped inside and taking up space where hot water should be.
The plumber said: “You can quickly improve the radiator’s performance by letting this air escape.”
To do this, make sure the heater is off so you don’t burn yourself, and use a radiator wrench or screwdriver to loosen the valve and let the air escape.
Keep an old towel handy to catch any water and close the valve when you’re done.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Real estate expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the cold from outside to enter your home, this is due to small openings that can let air in, so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth because it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another part of your home where heat can be lost and make your home feel cold,” he continued. “On cold days you may notice that your floor is not pleasant to walk on because your feet are freezing.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have carpet. This will provide a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, attic space, crawl spaces and under floorboards.
“Loose insulation is great for this, and it is a more affordable form of insulation, with a large bag being picked up for around £30,” explains Joshua.
4. Keep your interior doors closed
“Household members often congregate in one room in the evening, which is usually the kitchen or living room,” says Joshua.
“This means you only need to heat a small part of your home and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and mailboxes as these can let in cold air if they are not properly secured.
Remove radiator sludge
If the radiator is hot at the top and cold at the bottom, this could mean sludge is building up inside your radiator.
The sludge is a mix of rust, dirt and lime that inevitably builds up over time and circulates through the system.
You may need to remove the radiator from the wall and flush it. So it’s probably best to call in the experts for this task.
