It is advisable during winter and all year round to ensure that your heating system is in good working condition. Coupled with regularly maintaining your radiators, this is generally a good investment of your time and money. The tips below can help you to make sure that your radiator is working properly always and will help you solve some common radiators problems.



1. Failure to warm up: If a radiator in your house simply won't warm up no matter what you do then it may need bleeding. Radiators need to be full of water to function properly, and if air becomes trapped inside a radiator then it can cause major problems. Bleed the radiator by turning off the central heating and then using the radiator key to open the appropriate vent. Allow any air to escape, using a tissue or cloth to collect drips. Finally, re-tighten the vent and turn the radiator on again. If the radiator does heat up but only at the top, then rust or debris may have collected in the system. This is generally a job for a professional, since the radiator will need to be entirely drained, removed and flushed out ? keep costs down by using the services of a major utilities provider such as British Gas.

2. Valves leaking

Leaking valves are a major nuisance but don't normally represent a serious problem. Fix minor leaks by using a spanner to tighten the valve nuts - major leaks will probably need the attention of a professional. To temporarily stem the flow of water, bind a string round the pipe underneath the leak and put the end of the string into a glass. This will redirect water droplets away from the pipe and into the jar.

3. Odd noises: Radiators should be almost silent, so if yours are becoming noisy it's probably because they need attention. Creaking pipes are a common problem, and can be fixed by packing foam around the noisiest areas. The sound of rushing water may indicate that air has found its way into the system and needs to be released by bleeding or by checking that the pressure vessel in a sealed system is set correctly.

4. Redecorating: If you're considering redecorating your home then bear in mind that your radiators will need special attention. Use specialist oil-based paints to avoid bubbling and flaking, and make sure the radiator is entirely cooled before you attempt to paint it. Radiators don't have to be disguised ? with thousands of designs on offer, they can become an attractive feature of your home.