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Basic Checks
· Bleeding the radiators solves many central heating problems.
· Central heating clocks can be ‘reset’ to the incorrect time without the home owner knowing.
· Always check the timer is set to the correct time and the AM and PM setting is correct.
· A ‘light tap’ with a hammer frees a lot of stuck central heating valves.
· Is the electricity supply on? Check the RCDs and fuses in the central heating supplies.
Central Heating Not Working At All
· Has the boiler pilot light gone out? Relighting instructions are usually on the boiler cover.
· Check the electrical RCDs even if you have gas central heating.
Single Radiator Problems
· Bottom of the radiator cold – could be sludge in the radiator. Disconnect the radiator and flush out with a garden hose. If flushing the radiator does not work add a ‘chemical cleanser’ to the central heating system and leave for 3 days.
· Is the thermostat valve open?
· Is the lockshield valve on the radiator open? The lockshield valve should be open. The lockshield valve is usually at the opposite end of the radiator to the thermostat.
Upstairs Radiators Hot Upstairs But Not Downstairs
· Downstairs radiators cold webpage.
· Enough water in the system? Check the tank.
Creaking Noise
· Hot water causes the pipes to heat up and expand and rub against the holes – are the holes the pipes go through big enough?
Gurgling Noise
· A sign of trapped air – bleed the radiators.
· Turn the pump down – the pump causing rushes of water around the central heating system.
Banging Noise
· Possible cause is air in the central heating system – bleed the radiators.
· Is there enough water in the central heating system?
· Tightly fitting pipes – as the water heats up this causes the pipes to heat up and expand.
· Sticking valve – a ‘light tap’ with a hammer frees a lot of stuck central heating valves.
· Scaling in the system – add a de-scaler to the central heating system.
· Pipes not secured – pipes can move when heating up, the banging noise could be the movement of the pipes.
Humming Noises
· From boiler – usually the pump – is it secure? Are the mounting fixings loose?
· From radiators or piping – could be the pump, the pipes conduct the noise around the central heating system.
· Turn the pump down – the pump causing rushes of water around the central heating system which can cause humming noises.
Central Heating Troubleshooting Links
Central Heating Problems – Advice & Help – main Judge Electrical central heating help and advice page.
Hot Radiators Upstairs But Not Downstairs – advice & help to solve this problem.
Thermostats – what a thermostat is, what central heating system thermostats are used for; shows what central heating thermostats look like.
Electrical RCD – Find, Reset, Investigate A Constantly Tripping RCD – is the central heating RCD tripping? How to find the RCD domestic unit, reset an RCD and how to investigate constantly tripping RCDs.
Central Heating Pumps – what they are, what they do, common problems & symptoms and common fixes.
Lockshield Valve – what a central heating system lockshield valve is and what it does.
How To Bleed A Radiator – instructions with pictures.
Central Heating Noises – what can cause different types of noises.
Central Heating Boiler Problems – Advice & Help – advice and help on solving common central heating boiler problems.
Central Heating Timers Problems – Advice & Help – advice and help on solving common central heating timer problems.
All Radiators Downstairs Cold – possible explanations.
Single Radiator Not Working – possible explanations.
Central Heating Boilers – Information about central heating boilers.
Banging Noise – possible explanations.
Humming Noise – possible explanations.
Creaking Noise – possible explanation. |
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This webpage provides a series of tips (short statements) on how to ‘troubleshoot’ central heating problems.
This webpage is for the average ‘DIYer’.
The tips are grouped under fault symptom headings, for instance creaking noises, gurgling and humming noises.
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Central Heating Troubleshooting Tips |
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Home > Central Heating > Central Heating Troubleshooting Tips |
