How To Bleed Your Radiators

High fuel costs and falling external temperatures can quickly place a drain on household finances, especially when the central heating system is not working efficiently.

Radiators that feel cooler at the top than the bottom and those emitting a banging noise are tell tale signs that you've got air trapped in your system, however it only requires a simple, DIY response to put things right. 

Bleeding radiators, including our cast iron radiator range, involves opening a small valve on the radiator to release air. Here, we walk you through the simple steps to resolve the problem. 

1.     Start by turning off your central heating. 

2.     Locate the bleed valve at the top of the radiator on either the right or left side. This might be brass and hand operated on modern cast iron radiators or need a screwdriver/radiator key on modern steel units. 

3.     Open the bleed valve until water starts to bubble out. Having an old tea towel to cover the open valve will stop dirty water spraying on to your walls or dripping out on to your flooring. This water may be very hot, so be careful to avoid scalding.

4.     With a tea towel ready in one hand, use the other hand to turn the bleed valve about a half turn anticlockwise to open it. When the water starts rushing out, quickly place the tea towel over the hole from where the air is escaping. 

5.     As soon as water starts escaping, close the bleed valve as quickly as possible. 

6.     Topping up the central heating system may be necessary, as bleeding radiators can cause some loss of pressure within the central heating system. 

7.     There should be a pressure gauge for the system near to your boiler. For most domestic hot water heating systems this should read between 1.5 and 2 bar. If the pressure reading is below this level, open the valve that lets water into your central heating system until the gauge returns to the desired pressure level.

8.     Simply turn your heating back on for a warmer more efficient home.

How We Test our Radiators?

A question we often get asked is: “How do Trads test your radiators?” or “How will I know they will be safe in my property?”.

The quick answer would be: we test our radiator quite extensively to ensure that there are no leaks and that they are safe for use. We are also proud to say all our radiator conform to British Standards (BS:EN 442-2) and we have been awarded the ISO:9001 accreditation for Quality Management.

The Ornate Cast Iron Radiator

Testing in more detail

We are confident that our comprehensive period of testing is more than suitable to assess any potential weakness in the casting of each individual section and the connections of complete cast iron radiators.

Once the assembly is complete and the assembly inspection is passed, the radiator/s are carefully transferred to our bespoke water and air testing station.

Here, trained operatives put the radiator through a series rigorous pressure tests. The total time of high pressure testing exceeds more than 24 hours, the pressure that is used is at a rate well beyond that of normal water pressure found in the UK.

High Standards

The reason for such thorough testing is to ensure each and every radiator more than meets the requirements that are expected and exceeds the high level of standards that we impose on ourselves. 

On the rare occasion that a radiator or sections fail, the failed sections are discarded and radiators are re-built with new sections.

Once passed they return to the paint team to complete the ‘Double Painted Method’.

If you’d like to know more, please visit our website or contact one of the team on 0808 1785 533.

How to Choose your Radiators’ Style: a Guide by Trads - Part 2

last time we spoke about some of the styles we have....Let’s go on to the next step.

It’s a good idea to get an assessment of the size of your room, the environment and the possible restrictions. Properties come in all shapes and sizes and have nooks and the occasional cranny to consider. Will the radiator style you have chosen fit in to the space that you are thinking?

We’ll come on to the amount of sections required next, but remember a larger room will require more sections or even several radiators. Is the room upstairs? Are there any logistical considerations?
Whilst some of these will not be answered straight away, it is worth keeping a note, as forewarned is forearmed!

Next, you need to know the level of heating that is required – whilst we admit our radiators can stand alone as decoration, they do offer a practical and efficient heating solution, so don’t be left in the cold!

Thankfully, we’ve already done the hard work for you, so put away the abacus and complicated formulas for another day – here is our BTU calculator: http://www.tradscastironradiators.co.uk/btu-calculator

British thermal unit or ‘BTU’ is unit of measurement used amongst the heating industry
We’ve worked out the BTU output of each radiator from the smallest possible size of 3 sections all the way up to a mammoth 20 sectioned one. This makes it quite easy to check and refer to the BTU room requirements and the BTU output of your desired radiator.

Nearly there…

After you’ve made your choice and checked its heating performance then it’s time to get creative!
Time to dip your brush in the paint pot, or so to speak at least. You tell us the colour, AND we mean ANY colour, and we’ll attentively hand spray your radiators using our special ‘Double Painted Method’ using resistant and above all beautiful looking paint to cap off your radiators!

Want something a bit more than paint? Why not go for our special finishes range  where you can explore the radiance of polished metal or highly reflective paints.

Ornate Radiator in Hammered Gold!

Now, all is left is to choose your accessories; Valves – these control the hot water flow to the radiators, effectively a temperature control mechanism. Wall Stays - wall stays are used to secure our cast iron radiators to solid walls. Pipe shrouds – designed to hide or ‘shroud’ copper pipework ruining the look or aesthetic of your radiator.

That’s it! You will soon be the proud owner of your cast iron radiator/s – rather simple, isn’t it?

Be sure to read our other guides and blogs if you are stuck or want to find out any further information! 

How to Choose your Radiators’ Style: a Guide by Trads - Part 1

Choosing a radiator can be a daunting task with quite a few considerations and even restrictions, so we’ve put together some points of guidance to hopefully set you on the right track:

The first consideration is all down to style and design…

“What is food to one man is bitter poison to others.”- Lucretius

The old adage coined by the Roman philosopher, Lucretius, has never been truer than in the case of choosing your cast iron radiators.
You know what you like and what style speaks to you.

We have a fantastic range of styles and designs for you to choose from and it does very often boil down to personal taste, but let’s explore the possibilities.

If you like your radiator to have a flourish or to incorporate patterns inspired by nature, then choose from the more classic and very often highly decorative designs first seen throughout France and Western Europe (in what we know as the late Victorian period), as found in the Rococo, The Daisy, The Ribbon and The Antoinette.

The Eton Narron Radiator from Trads

If you prefer crisp lines and less lavish decoration, then take a trip back to The Roaring Twenties. Defined by largely American radiators, such as those by radiator juggernaut The American Radiator Company, and exhibiting Art Deco designs, the straight lines that typify the era can be found in The Deco, The Tuscany and The Eton & Narrow Eton.

Chosen what you like?
Great, we'll talk more about what to next in the 2nd part of the blog. Stay Tuned! 

What are Cast Iron Radiators and How Do They Work?

Cast Iron Radiators have undergone a rise in popularity over the last few years. In some respects it is partly due to a broader demand for genuine antiques or classic & vintage inspired goods – the charm of classic design or certain styles/periods is surging, as is the want of higher quality production and an extended product lifespan.

It may also be because of straightforward aesthetics. Simply, the majority of cast iron radiators and the finishing options that are available make for wonderfully decorative additions to the home and are visually appealing to many.

Another factor is likely to be the added advantage of cast iron radiators retaining and emitting heat for longer periods.

Radiators, be they cast iron or even the modern day steel counterparts, have become an everyday installation in almost every home up and down the country, but it is not always understood how they work.

Here at Trads we want you to appreciate how your cast iron radiator will perform and what makes them so special.

How Radiators Work: A Simple Guide.

In an ordinary hot water system, the radiator is filled with water. As the heating system increases the temperature of the water and circulates it through the system, radiators will heat up.

The unique properties of cast iron help as it conducts heat rather well, and its thickness means it can retain large amounts of heat that gets slowly released and emits the warmth into the atmosphere (room) even after the heating is turned off. Thus, cast iron radiators offer an efficient and long lasting heating solution.

The heat output of our cast iron radiators is determined by the surface area, in layman’s terms the bigger the hotter. Because of the thickness of the material, radiators made from cast iron will heat air at a steadier rate and avoid the peaks and troughs or ‘start/stop’ nature of modern day radiators. 

Did you know? Because of the thermodynamic properties of cast iron and its capacity to retain a great deal of heat, Cast Iron was famously used in the original manufacture of the cylinders  in steam engines, and more specifically used by John Wilkinson in the steam locomotives of James Watt.

Stay tuned for more blogs coming from Trads.
Do you have any questions? Do you have a subject for us to tackle?
Let us know in the comments! Thanks for reading.