Chicago winters can be long and harsh, which means a well-maintained heating system is a must. If your home uses hot water and radiators for heating, it’s important to winterize the system before the temperatures fall. When you know how to bleed a radiator and check your boiler pressure, you can manage the bulk of the winterization process on your own.
Why Is Boiler Winterization Important?
Your boiler operates differently in the summer and winter. During the summer, it might sit idle or heat the water for your sinks and showers. In the winter, it must push hot water through your heating system. Winterization and heating maintenance prepare the system for this extra stress, which can help:
- Prevent winter breakdowns, frozen pipes and emergency boiler repairs
- Extend the lifetime of the boiler, pipes and radiators
- Increase boiler efficiency and keep energy costs down
- Reduce the risk of safety issues
Checking Boiler Pressure
Your boiler system needs adequate pressure to stay properly filled and operate as hot water circulates through your pipes and radiators. If it’s too high, you could end up with leaks or unexpected shutdowns. If it’s too low, the water might not be able to reach the radiators and heat your home.
Check your boiler pressure before and after you bleed your radiators. The bleeding process can reduce pressure, so this is a good time to get an accurate reading.
Here’s how to check boiler pressure:
- Turn the heat off.
- Find the ideal pressure ranges in your boiler manual.
- Locate the boiler’s pressure gauge.
- Compare the pressure reading to the ideal pressure range.
If your pressure is too low, you’ll need to add water before you bleed the radiators. Check your manual for the specific process.
How you restore boiler pressure depends on the system. Follow your boiler manual for the correct procedure, or contact a heating technician if you’re unsure.
What should the boiler pressure be when heating is on? That can vary by model, but you can find specific figures in your manual. Boiler pressure normally rises as the water heats, but the amount varies by system. Check your manual for the correct operating range. A large or repeated pressure increase may point to an expansion-tank or other system problem.
Bleeding Your Radiators
As your radiators sit unused during the summer, trapped air can build up inside the unit. When you turn on the heat in the winter, that air rises to the top. These air pockets prevent even heating, and they can also put additional stress on your system.
Fortunately, you can avoid this issue by learning how to bleed a radiator. Releasing trapped air allows water to circulate freely and heat your home more efficiently.
You may not need to bleed all your radiators. Instead, you can bleed only those that have trapped air. When you turn your heat on, keep an eye out for warning signs such as:
- The top of the radiator is cold while the bottom is warm.
- The radiator is making gurgling or bubbling sounds.
- The room is cold even when the heat is on.
If the top of the radiator is hot but the bottom is cold, the problem may be sludge or poor circulation rather than trapped air.
How to Bleed a Radiator
Here’s how to bleed a radiator:
- Check your boiler pressure: Make sure the pressure is within the normal operating range.
- Turn off the heat: Make sure your heating system is off before you start the bleeding process. For safety, allow the boiler to cool down.
- Find the bleed valve: Locate the bleed valve on your radiator. It’s usually located on the top or side of the radiator, depending on the model.
- Prep the area: Put a towel on the floor under the radiator and place a bowl or another container under the bleed valve. Find your radiator’s bleed key, or use a flathead screwdriver if the bleed valve is designed for one.
- Open the valve: Using the key or screwdriver, slowly twist the bleed valve counterclockwise until you hear a hissing sound. When all the trapped air is released, you’ll see water start to leak out of the valve.
- Close the valve: Turn your key or screwdriver clockwise to close the valve.
Not comfortable doing the job yourself? Many HVAC and plumbing technicians offer radiator bleeding services.
Once you bleed your radiators, check your boiler pressure again. If it’s low, add more water to restore it to a normal operating range.
Other Ways to Prepare Your Boiler and Radiators for Winter
Before winter arrives, there are a few other things you can do to prepare the system:
- Insulate pipes: Look for water pipes that travel through unheated spaces, and make sure they’re properly insulated. This helps reduce the risk of freezing.
- Check for leaks: Turn on your heat and spend some time looking for plumbing leaks around your boiler, radiators and visible pipes.
- Clear debris: Move boxes, equipment and other items away from your boiler. Visually check accessible venting and exterior terminations for obvious debris or blockages. If you notice damage, deterioration or an obstruction you can’t safely clear from the exterior, call a heating technician.
- Schedule an inspection: Bring in a boiler service technician to inspect your boiler system and make small adjustments. Annual maintenance can also help your equipment last longer and run more efficiently. If you’re weighing the boiler tune-up cost, consider it against the price of an expensive emergency repair in the middle of winter.
If you need help with boiler winterization, Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Cooling can help. We serve homeowners throughout Chicagoland and the surrounding areas; call to schedule an appointment today.
