Ever crank up the heat only to stick your hand next to the radiator and it’s still ice cold? That’s never a good sign, especially when the forecast is calling for frigid temperatures. But there’s no reason to panic just yet – you might just need to bleed your radiator. What does that mean and how do you do it? Find out below:

What Does It Mean To Bleed A Radiator?

If the majority of your home’s heating system is working just fine, but you realize that a single radiator or two isn’t functioning properly, it could mean there’s air trapped inside that needs to escape. It’s quite common with hot water heating systems and it’s rather simple. So, before you call in the plumbers try following the steps below.

How To Bleed A Radiator:

Before doing any work, make sure your heating system is turned off. If you begin working on the system while it’s turned on, you could allow more air to enter.
Find the bleed valve – it’s usually located at the top of one side of the radiator. You’ll need a radiator key to open up the valve, but they can be found in a number of shapes and sizes at local hardware stores.
Once you start opening up the valve, you’ll know you’re doing it correctly if you start to hear a hissing sound. You may also notice a bit of water dripping out, this is completely normal so don’t worry – you may just want to place a small bucket or container underneath to catch the drips.
As soon as a steady stream of water starts coming out, the process is complete and you can tighten the valve back up.

For more than 80 years, we have been solving heating issues in the Detroit Metro area. Levine & Sons has the experience to solve any and every problem quickly, efficiently and cost effectively. We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No matter the day, no matter the time – we’ll be there.