maintenance Archives

The primary purpose of a radiator is to heat our home and keep us warm, however, sometimes this isn’t always the case.

The most common issue faced when your home isn’t hitting temperature, is that there may be cold spots on your radiator. There are a few reasons why this issue can occur, but luckily more often than not the issue can be quickly solved and we have some handy advice to share to help you do this.

The first step to fixing the issue is identifying which part of your radiator is causing the problem as each area can have a different cause.

Radiator cold at the bottom?

The likely cause of this is a build-up of sludge and debris, which then obstructs the hot water circulation leaving cold spots in the areas it can’t be reached. Rust, hard water and limescale can be just some of the factors leading to the build-up.

To fix this issue you will want to perform a power flush of the radiator. Whilst this is a method that can be done at home we would always recommend if you’re unsure to get a professional in to help.

Radiator cold at the top

If your radiator is cold at the top, or even the top and the bottom then the likely cause is trapped air within the system. Often the air rises to the top but the hot water remains at the bottom which is how this issue is started. Luckily this is quite a simple fix, you simply need to bleed your radiator to release any of the trapped air.

Radiator cold in the middle

Similar to the bottom of the radiator being cold, if the middle of your radiator is cold it’s likely caused by a buildup of debris or sludge. To fix this you again need to perform a power flush, flushing the insides thoroughly to remove the build-up.

Other things to check

Ensure your thermostat is set properly and that the valve has not been set to low
Check the lockshield valve, located at either end of your radiator, is set correctly
Check the valves themselves for limescale damage

From a pesky flickering light, to a more concerning burning smell, there are a number of signs to look out for to ensure you are not a victim of bad wiring. After all, bad wiring, if left unchecked, can lead to a number of severe consequences, including the possibility of a house fire, ( more likely in older homes).

But, it needn’t get that far, just keeping an eye on your home and looking out for five signs of bad wiring can lead to catching the issue with plenty of time to rectify it. Here are our five signs to look out for:-

Frequently tripping circuit breakers – Whilst it’s not unusual for your circuit to trip now and then, it can be concerning if this becomes more of a frequent issue and can be one of the most obvious warning signs to a short somewhere in your wiring.
Flickering lights – Although flickering lights can be down to an issue with the lights itself, it is always one to get checked by one of our electricians as flickering lights can be a key tell-tale sign to an overloaded circuit, particularly if it’s happening to more than one light source.
Hot electrical outlets – If you can feel any heat coming off your electrical outlets that is a warning sign. Whilst not always meaning bad wiring it’s always recommended to get checked out – better to be safe.
Frayed or chewed wiring – Just like us, as wires get older they begin to deteriorate, however, if left unchecked, they can become a major fire hazard and cause further problems with the rest of the wiring in your home.
Burning or smoking type smells – If you detect any form of burning odour from your appliances or plug sockets it’s best to minimise all risk by turning them off immediately and contacting Exeter Property Maintenance to come and check the item(s). As most electrical wiring features plastic installation, the burning smell can be signaling there can be an issue inside of the walls causing this to burn and create the smell.

If you notice any of these issues, whether on their own or together, we would always recommend getting a qualified electrician to attend and carry out an electrical installation condition report (EICR). Not only does this guarantee your safety, but it also guarantees the issue is identified and solved in the quickest and most effective manner.

01392 927923

Areas we cover: