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Heating & Air Conditioning

How to bleed hot water radiator?

phillyvictorian

16 years ago

I like to think that I could figure this out by tinkering with the valves & screws on this radiator, but with the temps dipping down into the single digits I can't afford to screw this up. So, I thought it would best to ask the community for help.

This is our first winter in our home. We had a new furnace installed in August and it has worked well at delivering hot water to the radiators on 3 floors with one exception: A radiator in the third floor bathroom has never warmed. I'm thinking that the hvac company overlooked this radiator when installing & testing the new furnace.

Can I try to bleed this radiator myself?

Do I need a special tool (for example how do I turn the valve in photo 3)?

I'm guessing that I bleed the radiator by opening the valve in photo 3 and listening for air??? then close it when water comes out??? Am I on the right track?

Here are some pics:

Photo 1 (overview):

Photo 2 (left valve):

Photo 3 (right valve):

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Comments (5)

wallynut
16 years ago
Yes you are on right track.In last photo there is a
vent with four sided hex. this is vent you must open
to bleed radiation.They make a key just for that or
try a pair of needle nose plyers.DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN
WHEN FINISHED, IT IS BRASS AND COULD BREAK.
mr_havac
16 years ago
Its also possible that the valve on the inlet side of the radiator is closed. Normally you don't see paint on the stem of a valve thats open.
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phillyvictorian
Original Author
16 years ago
Both replies were very helpful. When I opened the hex COLD water shot out right away... no air in the line, but no heat either. I chipped away the paint on the inlet valve and opened it with a vice grip. The only strange thing is that I assumed "opening" the valve meant turning it to the left (counter-clockwise) like an outdoor spigot... Turning the valve clockwise opened it and I heard water begin to flow instantly.

Thanks to you all I now have heat in my bathroom!

;-)
mr_havac
16 years ago
Glad to hear that, it makes reading much more enjoyable. :-)
kframe19
16 years ago
Now that you have heat, you should do two things...

1. Go to a plumbing or heating supply store and ask for a radiator bleeder key. Actually get two or three. They're cheap.

2. Replace the handle on the radiator so you can regulate it by hand. Using vice grips is not a good long-term solution.

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