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Anyone know why hot-water radiators need bleeding every couple of days, temp 60-64?
The thermometer in my home | January 26, 2014 | Me, Myself, and I

Posted on 01/26/2014 9:47:40 AM PST by EinNYC

Any FReepers have any idea why the radiators in my home are just sort of warm to the touch but not toasty? Or, even stone cold? Enough to cause 60-66 degree temps in the house, which is decidedly NOT comfortable? Is it bad valves? Bad boiler (but there's plenty of hot water from the sinks)? A bad pump? When the maintenance guys bleed the non-functioning radiators, hot water pours out, but the radiator was not radiating heat. Just as cold as stone.

The maintenance guys told me that a "second pump has just been installed", but I am still forced to wear double everything INSIDE my home. Everyone sits down to dinner wearing their winter hat, double everything and heavy socks, right?

Thanks for any information about what you think is ailing this non-functioning heating system.


TOPICS: Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: centralheating; heating; hotwaterradiators; radiators
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Brrrrr!
1 posted on 01/26/2014 9:47:40 AM PST by EinNYC
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To: EinNYC

my guess is calcium build-up on the inside of the radiator,acts like insulating it from the inside.New radiator is likely required.


2 posted on 01/26/2014 9:52:27 AM PST by pricilla (one should always try to be smarter than the equipment one is operating - Amajato)
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To: EinNYC
Get rid of trapped air in the system:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.familyhandyman.com%2Fheating-cooling%2Ffurnace-repair%2Fhow-to-bleed-a-hot-water-radiator-and-clear-a-steam-radiator-vent%2Fview-all&ei=-krlUt_sM6bksASAzYDQAQ&usg=AFQjCNFdfG4clTCMqaXxAunf0brHNRTBRA&sig2=sVVfX3vJQSj0OvBnG55f9w&bvm=bv.59930103,d.cWc

If the kitchen taps are really hot, then air is probably the problem.

3 posted on 01/26/2014 9:52:38 AM PST by sr4402
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To: EinNYC

Jack Daniels will fix the problem.


4 posted on 01/26/2014 9:52:40 AM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: EinNYC

http://homerepair.about.com/od/heatingcoolingrepair/ss/trblsht_boiler_4.htm


5 posted on 01/26/2014 9:52:45 AM PST by Raycpa
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To: EinNYC

It might be sediment/scale buildup — you could try asking the maintaince guy to put some CLR through it... or hit it a couple times with a hammer.


6 posted on 01/26/2014 9:53:08 AM PST by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: EinNYC
EPA has decreed you don't need all that heat.

7 posted on 01/26/2014 9:53:50 AM PST by BitWielder1 (Corporate Profits are better than Government Waste)
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To: EinNYC

My guess air lock?


8 posted on 01/26/2014 9:53:52 AM PST by ImJustAnotherOkie (zerogottago)
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To: EinNYC

It sounds as though air is getting into the lines. I would look for leaks or malfunctioning pressure relief valves. Take some soapy water around the house brushing it onto all the joints and valves you see.


9 posted on 01/26/2014 9:55:15 AM PST by gorush (History repeats itself because human nature is static)
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To: EinNYC

Air in the system?


10 posted on 01/26/2014 9:56:09 AM PST by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra ( Ya can't pick up a turd by the clean end!)
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To: EinNYC

It seems like a continuing problem, I would call a heating specialist, and get his opinion. Maintenance men know a little of everything, but they are not specialists.


11 posted on 01/26/2014 9:56:36 AM PST by Innovative ("Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." -- Vince Lombardi)
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To: EinNYC

Also do searches on heat, radiator problems and so on:

Here is one:

http://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/25/nyregion/home-clinic-how-radiators-work-and-why-they-sometimes-don-t.html


12 posted on 01/26/2014 9:58:11 AM PST by Innovative ("Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." -- Vince Lombardi)
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To: EinNYC
Are you renting/leasing?

Energy for boilers has become very expensive. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has made "adjustments" somewhere to save money.

13 posted on 01/26/2014 9:59:51 AM PST by freerepublicchat
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To: OneWingedShark

That’s the ticket!

Hit CAST IRON with a hammer!

Brilliant!

ROTFLMAO


14 posted on 01/26/2014 10:00:11 AM PST by Howie66 (Molon Labe, Traitors!)
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To: EinNYC
Jimmuh said thermostats in winter should be set at 68F so, you aren't far from the target. I saw where High Priest Al Gore issued a prophesy from his yacht in the Caribbean that 60F will soon be a thing of the past south of the Mason-Dixon line.

So, maybe you should just bundle up this winter and spend your money on upgrading your homes cooling system.

Joking aside, if your pumps are in good order, it sounds as if you have a flow restriction, or thermostat problem of some sort.

15 posted on 01/26/2014 10:00:44 AM PST by fso301
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To: EinNYC

“When the maintenance guys bleed the non-functioning radiators, hot water pours out, but the radiator was not radiating heat. Just as cold as stone. “

Impossible. You can’t get hot water from a cold radiator.

The radiators are full of air which needs to be remived.
If there is a valva at the TOP of the radiator then open it, let out the air and close it.
If there is no valve then the system must be purged.


16 posted on 01/26/2014 10:02:15 AM PST by mrsmith (Dumb sluts: Lifeblood of the Media, Backbone of the Democrat Party!)
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To: Howie66

> Hit CAST IRON with a hammer!
> Brilliant!

You don’t want to do it while it’s on, or *REALLY HARD* but enough to smack the sediment off the walls... and it’s not as good a solution as running CLR or some-such solvent through it.


17 posted on 01/26/2014 10:05:41 AM PST by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: EinNYC

How cold is it outside? Maybe your heating system isn’t adequate for -40 degrees.


18 posted on 01/26/2014 10:06:23 AM PST by AZLiberty (No tag today.)
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To: EinNYC
do you have an inline air-scoop??? if not you need one
19 posted on 01/26/2014 10:07:06 AM PST by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -vvv- NO Pity for the LAZY - 86-44)
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To: mrsmith

Or a restiction/blockage downstream of the radiator.


20 posted on 01/26/2014 10:11:15 AM PST by mrsmith (Dumb sluts: Lifeblood of the Media, Backbone of the Democrat Party!)
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