My radiators make noise??

[what..the?]

One small radiator in the bathroom makes very loud bubbling noises. Why and does it need bleeding (what ever that is)?

I remember as a child my parents bleeding our radiators by turning a key and putting a dish underneath, but other than that I havent a clue.

Any help please, thanks.

[Ice-Maiden]

Sounds like the rads need bleeding, particularly if they don't heat up properly. It's simple to do by using a key to let the air out. You can also buy little gadgets now, which catch any water which runs down.

[sleepyj]

just get one of them key things and turn it really slow to just let the air out ...easy i can ever do it ;0

[Dassie]

It's probably got air trapped in it and requires "bleeding" to remove the airlock. As you say there should be a small pipe which you can uncap to complete this operation

[smudge]

Can I just say - when you bleed your radiators, please either do it when the radiators are cold or warm. If you bleed them when they're hot, make sure you wear thick rubber gloves!

The reason I mention this, is 'cos a bloke we know started bleeding his rads when they were still hot, he dropped the bleeding key & ended up at the hospital with a very badly scolded hand!

[what..the?]

Thanks for all the answers and for the safety note smudge!

[Doc Spock]

Nowt to do with air, if it is hot at top there is no need to bleed.

Are both vales fully open ?

[smudge]

You're welcome what..the?

Doc - if radiators are hot at the bottom, but not at the top, they will probably need to be bled. Once you've put the bleeding key in to let the air out, the hot water will soon rise to the top & could very well burn you if you don't close it quickly enough!

[what..the?]

To note I have not felt for differing heat over the front surface, but will do when it is on next. Thanks

[smudge]

Just found this helpful advice for you too:

http://www.diydata.com/problem/central_heating /bleed.php

Take care.

[woodchopper]

Radiators shouldn't need bleeding all the time unless there is a leak in the system and air is getting in - alternatively there is no anti-corrosion inhibitor in the system which there should be.

[buildersmate]

Spot on, Woodchopper. The whole world seems to believe air magically gets into their CH. It doesn't - nine times out of ten this is gas created by not having enough corrosion inhibitor in the system. Your rads are being eated alive from the inside!