Following on from our previous article 'How to stop the pipes from freezing', we thought you might like an advanced heads up on how to prepare your radiators for the winter.

FIRST THINGS FIRST, IS MY BOILER READY?

• In order to keep your boiler operating smoothly and free the boiler pump of any grit that accumulates while it's not in use, run your heating at least once a month (even in the summer) in order to prepare it for the winter.
  
  
• A Gas Safe Registered engineer should inspect every home's boiler once a year to make sure it is operating safely and smoothly. If you are a landlord and have not got a trusted Gas Safe Registered engineer at hand to ensure your boiler is safe, get in touch with us here CONTACT US, we can certainly point you in the right direction.
  
  
• If you rent your house, it is your landlord's duty to arrange for an annual inspection of the boiler and all other gas appliances. This is required by law. If you are unsure if your boiler has had an up-to-date certificate, ask your agent or landlord, they will be happy to let you know.
  
  
• Installing a carbon monoxide detector to alert you to leaks is a smart option for extra safety. If the alarm happens to go off, give the National Gas Emergency Service a call at 0800 111 999 right away.
  
  
• Never obstruct the air vents or cover your gas boiler. Ensure that there are no obstructions in the exterior flues.

Troubleshooting central heating can be challenging, particularly during the winter.

When in doubt, always get advice from an approved Gas Safe Registered Engineer.

HOW DO I BLEED MY RADIATORS?

One of the most important steps in getting your boiler ready for winter is to bleed your radiators. If the top of your radiators feels colder than the bottom, it's probably because some air has become trapped inside, preventing them from heating up to their maximum temperature. Fortunately, "bleeding" or removing air from the radiator, is as straightforward as it gets.

STEP 1: To prevent yourself from getting splashed, turn off the boiler altogether.

STEP 2: The bleed valve is located at one of the upper corners of each radiator and is distinguished by a square piece in the centre of the round plug. They are turned by specific keys, which you can easily get if you can't locate them at any hardware shop.

STEP 3: Turn the valve counterclockwise by about a quarter of a turn with the key. Turning it further shouldn't be necessary, but just in case you open the valve too far, keep a small container and some rags nearby to catch any leaking water.

STEP 4: As the air exits, you will hear a hissing sound. Once the hissing stops and the first trickle of water comes, keep the key on the valve's shank and securely shut it.

STEP 5: If when you bleed the radiator, no water or air comes out, the valve is most likely clogged with paint. After closing the radiator's input and output valves at both ends, take out the screw from the bleed valve's centre. Use a piece of wire to clear the hole and then gently open a radiator valve again to release a small amount of water. Close the valve again then reinstall the bleed valve screw. Test the bleed valve once more by opening both radiator valves.

That's it, job well done!

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