Upstairs radiators not heating up.

[Davidsian]

Sorry to repeat this, but I'm still looking for suggestions.

3 out of my 4 top floor radiators refuse to heat up. The one that does work is immediately above the boiler and I suspect may be on a different flow. It is an open system.

The radiators will bleed so that water comes out of them. Occasionally there is some heat gets to the flow intake pipe but rarely goes much past the valve. They used to work fine, but haven't worked properly since I started trying to use them again as the weather has got colder.

I've read elsewhere in this site that this can be caused by stuck gravity check valves. If this is the case, what does one of these look like and what should I do about it?

Grateful for any advice.

 

[bab]

r there thermostatic valves on the rads that dont work & if so were they turned down al summer, if so they may have stuck closed, if so what make r they

 

[Davidsian]

There were TVR's on 2 of them, but I've taken them off and ensured the valves are fully open.

 

[bab]

TVRs closed down now (sorry) When u say removed do u mean the head as the pin can stick in still keeping the valve off even when head removed. if so tapping the pin gently can release them.

 

[Davidsian]

I've checked the pins go in and out easily and are not stuck - as I've had problems with TVRs in the past - so I'm sure its not that.

 

[Strachan]

Have you tried turning all the rads off down stairs and the one upstairs and tied forcing the flow to the 3 non runners? Might be something as trivial as a tired pump taking the less obstructive route to the return pipe.

 

[Strachan]

That`s tried not tied. Been one of those days that i`m sure most of you lot have had too!

 

[Davidsian]

Yes I've also tried that but it made no difference.

 

[Strachan]

Sounds like you`ve something blocked. Is it a sealed system(combi)? If it is i doubt you`ve any check valves in the pipework.

 

[Davidsian]

No its an open system.

If something were blocked, would water still come out of the bleed valves?

 

[Strachan]

Yes, the blockage may only be on the flow side. The water would still be able to back-fill through the return pipes. Might be a case of removing the 3 rads and checking them.

 

[Davidsian]

Oh dear - sounds like a job for the weekend. Thanks for the suggestions.

It it unlikely to be the check valve ?

 

[Strachan]

You may have one, it`d be on the flow pipe and after the pump. Brass compression fitting with an arrow on it.

 

[Davidsian]

Cheers I'll check them out. There are a couple I know of though I think they are isolating valves as as well as the arrow they have a turnable screw.
Is there any way to tell if that's the problem without replacing.

Anyway got to go to bed now - so I'll follow up tomorrow.

Thanks