Cold radiators unless others turned off

Discussion in 'Plumbers' Talk' started by Georgina Keeley, Sep 6, 2021.

  1. Georgina Keeley

    Georgina Keeley New Member

    Have had a problem with our central heating since we moved in. If all our radiators are turned on, 3 of them only get slightly warm(the two bedrooms furthest away from the boiler and the living room which is also furthest away). If I turn off 3 then the others do get properly hot, all of them get hot if I turn off other radiators. 3 bedroom house, 8 radiators (one in sitting room is really long) boiler is in the kitchen. Any thoughts? Thank you in advance.
     
  2. teabreak

    teabreak Screwfix Select

    System needs re-balancing.
    In a nut shell there are two valves on each rad one that you the user operates and one called a lock shield that the installer sets to balance the system.
    ll rads have a different resistance to water flow so the lock shield is used to reduce the flow to the greedy ones!
    Have a look on youtube sure there are lot of videos on how to do it. The correct way is using thermometers on each rad to set the rads to the correct output, but most installers do it by eye (or touch in effect) a good start would be to see if opening the lock shield valves on the poor rads half a turn at a time. If that does not help cut down the valves on the best rads a little.
    Access to a lock shield adjustment will be by removing a screw on top of the cap or with cheaper ones the cap just pulls off, wear a glove if so 'cos you are gonna bang your hand on the rad when it comes away!;)
     

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