DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

A few of my radiators are cold, the rest are ok. what can i do?

One assumes that:
The system worked perfectly last winter and until recently?
That a member of your household or visitor has not turned them down or off?
That the thermostat on the boiler has not been turned down?
That they are not on a separate zone thermostat that has been reset?
That they are not wireless controlled and the remote has died?
That a motorised valve?( has stopped working?)
That you have checked the settings of the lock sheild valves and radiator valves? (and they are open?)
That the pump has not been reset or replaced?
That there is not a balancing valve somewhere that has been reset?
If all the above are OK?
Then its likely that the hot water is taking the easy route.
Then reset the pump to maximum, turn the boiler thermostat up to max and run the system, tracking the heat in the pipes.
At some point the return pipe will be cold, because there is too much resistance in the pipe to the next radiator and all the hot water is circulating through the presently hot system.
This is the point where you need to turn all of the hot radiators off, and force the hot water through the cold ones.
If this works - re balance the system.

As Perry states loads of things may be wrong but try easy one first remove TRV head and tap pin lightly and see if its stuck down measure and compare length with good radiator that's common fault.

Last year 64% of the questions asked in our forum were answered within our DIY project pages at www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects.htm The project pages are now separated alphabetically and your answers are accompanied by diagrams and the ability to see, and buy, the tools and/or required to complete your project. Use our search box to look for your answer and save a great deal of time and money!