Why is the heating not working?

If a rad is cold at the bottom and hot at the top its sludged up and needs flushing, but if its hot at the bottom and cold at the top theres air in there and needs bleeding.
 
Are the pipes hot? The radiator may not be balanced properly, which is adjusted using the valve on the other side of the rad to the thermo.
 
SiriusB said:
Would air in the system stop ALL the radiators from even slightly warming up?
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Air in the radiators will not stop it warming a little...the radiators will only warm to where the water is

If it isn't a combi boiler then I say the 2 way divertor valve is stuck and it's normally located by the hot water tank.
If it's a combi then it could well be the same thing only the valve is located within the boiler housing.
 
Is there a separate thermostat on the wall in the house somewhere? This caught me out a few years ago, someone had turned it right down, which meant the boiler would turn on for 5mins and then turn off. Took me a few hours to figure out what was wrong.
 
Depending upon the type of system - I would guess at the pump sticking.

Also Does the thermostat click as you turn the temperature up if it's the rotary dial type.

Have the radiators got TRV's - valves on the left hand side of the radiator with numbers on. If so turn them to 5 (maximum)

If it was air in the system - surely the radiators would heat up - but be colder at the top - requiring bleeding

If the heatings not been on all summer - chances are an old pump will stick, it's in the airing cupboard - if you have one with the cylinder tank

If it's a combi - You have no airing cupboard with a cylinder tank but the pump usually cycles daily to stop it sticking.

Doubt it's a pressurised system.

If it's a student house - they're usually cheaply maintained so guessing at a sticking pump

If your totally stuck - ring the landlord - he should sort it
 
I'm a little curious as to why people are losing so much water when bleeding their radiators. Half a pint? A big jugful? I lose a few drops per radiator, which I stop with a cloth. I just turn the key back when the water starts coming out. Do I have strange radiators?
 
Now for the "is it switched on" advice.

Are you on a pay as you go gas meter by any chance? If so is their credit?

Angilion said:
I'm a little curious as to why people are losing so much water when bleeding their radiators. Half a pint? A big jugful? I lose a few drops per radiator, which I stop with a cloth. I just turn the key back when the water starts coming out. Do I have strange radiators?
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No but there might still be some air trapped in the system by tightening it once water starts coming out. Some people like to run the water through longer just to make sure its clear.
 
THFC said:
Depending upon the type of system - I would guess at the pump sticking.
If the heatings not been on all summer - chances are an old pump will stick, it's in the airing cupboard - if you have one with the cylinder tank
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If it was the pump sticking then there would be no hot water...the diverter valve diverts the hot water being pumped around by the pump into the hot water tank heat coil instead of around the central heating system.
Therefore if the pump had seized there would be no hot water. OP has already stated that he has hot water:-
.....what could be the issue?....The hot water works fine and you can hear the boiler kicking into action when I switch on the hot tap (and the water is hot) but isn't doing anything for the heating.
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This brings me to the conclusion that the boiler is a combi.
If all else is set up correctly then it is most likely to be the valve inside the boiler that switches the flow of water between the central heating and the heat exchanger, hot water, is stuck on hot water.....often the case after a summer or using only hot water.
 
Just get landlord round and tell him to show you.

Dont start messing about bleeding radiators.
 
Sounds like the control valve for either central heating or hot water has stuck. Sometimes the solenoid can pack up or the actual mechanism can fail. Either way if you can locate this valve you can take the solenoid off and manually turn the valve. It should be fairly close to the boiler or just inside the house where the pipes enter from outside and the fun part it will be behind a panel.

Forgot to add best to get landlord though as new parts will be required.
 
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CHECK THE VALVES !!

The valve (see http://*******.com/37nsyay) on the end of each radiator that you turn to change the temp is probably stuck.
They do pop on and off. Undo the retining screw and slip the valve off. No water will come out (well, it shouldnt!!!!)
There's a small pin that is pushed in when the valve is turned that controls the flow of water from the pipe to the radiator. Make sure the pin is not stuck and do this for all the radiators.

Common issue with old houses and old radiator valves.
 
Have I missed something here? You say that your renting and have a landlord? DONT TOUCH THE HEATING!!. GET THEM TO DO IT fool. Thats what you pay for.
If you unscrew things, check valves etc your landlord will probably cause a fuss and you'll lose your deposit.
 
me227 said:
I think the OP has froze to death. :p
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shining_frozen_solid_small.jpg
 
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