CTC
Airlock / Sludge in Radiators
Boiler runs but some radiators remain cold or only heat at the top.
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Possible Causes
Air trapped in radiators, Sludge build-up at radiator bottoms, Partially closed valves, Incorrect system balancing
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Turn off the boiler and allow radiators to cool before bleeding.
- Bleed radiators: Use a radiator key to bleed air from the top vent of each radiator until water flows steadily. Protect floors with a cloth.
- Check valves: Ensure both the thermostatic valve and lockshield valve on each radiator are open.
- Flush affected radiators (technician): If radiators are hot at the top but cold at the bottom, they may be sludged. Remove and flush them outside or perform a system power flush.
- Rebalance system: Adjust lockshield valves to ensure even heating across all radiators.
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Repair Difficulty
Easy
2/5
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