How to Bleed Hot Water Heating Systems
To ensure the proper flow of hot water through your water heater you will need to bleed your radiator system from time to time. Take caution that the water can be very hot if you wait until the radiator is in use. It can also spurt out as there may be air in the lines.
Things you’ll need:
- Screwdriver
- Shallow bowl or dish
- Locate all the bleed valves in your system. Different systems will have the bleed valves in different locations. If it is a baseboard system then the valve is usually by the pipe that comes out of the floor. If it is a standing radiator then the valve is usually at the top by the end.
- Start at the furthest radiator to boiler and place something under the spout. Now turn the screw on the radiator until either air or water starts to come out. The objective is to try and get the air out of the lines so you shouldn’t see too much water. Leave the screw open until you notice only water coming out and no air.
- Close that valve and go on to the next closest radiator to the boiler. Repeat the same process in step three.
- Continue to all the radiators until you have bled them all. Then go back to the very first radiator and unscrew the screw. If you only get water coming out and no air, then you have successfully bled your radiator system. If not, then you will need to repeat the process until you get only water out of the first radiator.