There’s nothing like having your central heating regularly serviced by a qualified heating engineer to keep your house toasty and warm. But even the most well maintained systems can go wrong from time to time. Here’s how you can solve some of the most common heating problems.
Heating comes on and goes off at the wrong times
It may sound obvious, but if your heating is not behaving as it should be and is switching itself on and off at the wrong times, the first things to check are the controls. Maybe a room or radiator thermostat has been accidentally altered, or you may have the sort of controls that need to be reset when the clocks go backwards and forwards; if this is the case, you can simply adjust the time or temperature to the correct setting. Similarly, check that mechanical clock dials haven’t become stuck or if you’ve got electric controls, check that they’re showing the correct information. If either of these has become faulty it’s simple to replace them – and it may be worth replacing old thermostats that don’t seem to be controlling the temperature properly as they do become less accurate over time.
Cold spots in radiators
A cold top part of a radiator indicates trapped air inside. This is easily fixed by simply turning off the heating system and using a radiator key to bleed the radiator by opening the valve slightly. Listen to the hiss as the air escapes, and be ready to shut the valve quickly when it has finished as water will seep out.
If the cold spot is in the middle or bottom of the rad, it could mean a build up of scale, sludge or rust. In an open-vented system, you could try a chemical sludge remover which is added to the feed and expansion tank. Your system will need to be emptied and refilled after the chemicals have worked their magic. However, it you have several affected radiators it might be worth getting a professional heating company in to power flush your whole system.
Strange noises
Don’t ignore any strange noises your heating system may be making! It may indicate something as simple as a pipe vibrating against a floor joist, but similarly it could indicate a more serious problem. When you hear strange rattles, bangs and hisses from your heating, it’s time to call in the professionals! And remember, if you’re system is powered by gas, make sure they’re on the Gas Safe Register.
