← Back to categories
🔆
Problem Guides

Radiators

Cold spots, leaks, valve issues and radiator not heating

15 free DIY guides · 32 total

Cold spots at the top of a radiator almost always mean trapped air — a bleed key, two minutes, and it is sorted. Cold at the bottom usually indicates sludge build-up from corrosion in the system, or a failing circulator pump. A radiator that is hot at one end and cold at the other points to a balancing issue or a stuck thermostatic valve head. These guides walk you through every common radiator fault in UK central heating systems, from a single cold radiator to an entire zone that will not heat up, including how to power-flush, balance radiators, replace a TRV, and diagnose whether the problem is with the radiator itself or the boiler.

🔍 Narrow it down

What is the problem with your radiator(s)?

Adding a new radiator to an existing central heating system
What is involved in adding an extra radiator to a room· Half to full day
›
Adjusting lockshield valves to balance radiatorsFree
Setting lockshield valves correctly so all radiators heat evenly· 1–3 hrs
›
All radiators cold except one or two
Most radiators not heating, one or two radiators very hot· 30–60 min
›
Electric Underfloor Heating Not Working
Electric underfloor heating mat or cable not heating, thermostat showing fault, or tripped circuit· 30 min–2 hrs
›
Heated Towel Rail Not WorkingFree
Heated towel rail cold, partially warm, or only hot at the bottom· 30–60 min
›
How much does it cost to replace a radiator in the UK?
UK prices for like-for-like radiator replacement and adding a new radiator — including supply, fitting and typical extras.· 1–3 hours
›
How much does underfloor heating cost in the UK?
Realistic UK installation costs for wet and electric underfloor heating — per square metre prices and what affects the total.· 1–3 days per room
›
How to balance your radiatorsFree
Some radiators heat up much faster than others· 2–3 hrs
›
How to balance your radiators for even heating
Some rooms too hot, others too cold — balance the system yourself· 2–4 hrs
›
How to bleed a radiator — step by stepFree
Releasing trapped air from radiators to restore heat· 10–20 min per radiator
›
How to drain a single radiator without draining the whole systemFree
Removing or replacing a radiator without losing all the system water· 30–60 min
›
How to remove a radiator for decorating or replacement
Temporarily remove a radiator from the wall without draining the whole system· 30–60 min
›
Magnetic boiler filter — what it does and why you need one
Understanding central heating magnetic filters and whether to install one· 1–2 hrs (fitted)
›
Radiator Leaking from the Bottom
Water dripping or pooling from the base of a radiator or its bottom connections· 30–90 min
›
Radiator Still Cold After BleedingFree
Bled the radiator but it is still cold — no improvement after releasing the air· 30–90 min
›
Radiator always hot even when heating is off
Radiator stays warm or hot when the boiler should not be running· 10 min
›
Radiator cold at the bottom, warm at the top
Bottom section of radiator stays cold· 5 min
›
Radiator cold at the top, warm at the bottomFree
Top of radiator stays cold when heating is on· 10–20 min
›
Radiator cold on one side
One side of the radiator warm, the other side cold· 10–20 min
›
Radiator completely cold — systematic diagnosis
One radiator not heating at all while others work fine· 30–60 min
›
Radiator leaking from the body (pinhole or seam)
Water seeping through the radiator panel itself· 1–3 hrs
›
Radiator leaking from the valve
Water dripping or weeping from radiator valve gland or body· 30–60 min
›
Radiator making clicking or ticking noiseFree
Radiator clicks and ticks as it heats up or cools down· 10–20 min
›
Radiator not getting hot at allFree
Radiator stays completely cold when heating is on· 20–60 min
›
Radiators not heating after a power cut or boiler resetFree
Heating not working after a power cut — boiler or controls need resetting· 15–30 min
›
Replacing a radiator valve
Leaking or faulty radiator valve needs replacing· 5 min
›
TRV stuck closed — radiator always coldFree
Thermostatic radiator valve stuck fully closed — radiator cold with heating on· 15–30 min
›
TRV stuck closed — radiator not heating upFree
Thermostatic radiator valve not opening, radiator stays cold· 15 min
›
TRV stuck — radiator won't heat up or won't turn offFree
Thermostatic radiator valve stuck open or closed· 15–30 min
›
Thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) not working correctlyFree
TRV not controlling the temperature — radiator always on or always cold· 10–30 min
›
Thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) stuck open — radiator always hotFree
Radiator stays hot regardless of TRV setting — TRV pin stuck· 15–30 min
›
Wet Underfloor Heating Not Working
Underfloor heating pipes warm but floor not heating up, or UFH zones not responding· 30 min–3 hrs
›

Can't find your problem?

Request a guide and we'll write it — usually within a few days.

Request a guide →