Radiators that are curved are valued for their space-saving design and aesthetic appeal, so it is little wonder that they have become increasingly popular among homeowners. While these high-quality products are designed with long-term durability and built with state-of-the-art materials, there are a few things you can do to prolong the life of your home radiator.
- Perform Regular System Flushes
Once you have broken down the build-up, it is essential that it is drained away. You can do this by flushing your system and then replacing the dirty water with clean water. Some homeowners prefer to have a pressure wash performed, however, this uses large amounts of water and makes for unnecessary waste. Treating the radiator system with gentle chemicals that can be drained away is a highly environment-friendly option. Once the system has been flushed, it will operate at the usual temperatures.
- Annual Inspection and Maintenance
Heating specialists recommend that your system be closely inspected for potential problems on a yearly basis. This is usually done for a minimal fee and is an excellent way of ensuring the health of curved radiators while avoiding serious maintenance that is often brought on by neglect.
- Be Aware of Changes
Once your heating system has been installed in your home and used for a few months, it’s easy to become used to its operating noises and characteristics. Usually, there isn’t much that has to be done and the system continues to operate without any issues.
However, it is important to pay special attention if your radiator starts making odd noises like gurgles, clunks, banging, and clanging while it is running. Another red flag is a heater that struggles to heat up the way it used to especially if some sections feel colder to the touch than the rest of it.
Your radiator should produce consistent heat and any odd noises or changes may indicate problems that should be inspected by experienced heating technicians.
- Have a Filter Installed
Besides regularly flushing your system, another good tip is to have a filter installed that will capture impurities in a safe way and keep them from blocking important pathways and pipes in your heating system. Filters should always be installed by a heating specialist and then eventually exchanged for clean filters as the older ones become dirty.
- Try to Limit Scale and Sludge
Often, the problems that crop up with radiators are because regular flushing and cleaning of the entire system is not performed. Most people do not do this kind of basic maintenance, but putting in the effort to do so will extend the life of your system.
With time, black sludge and lime scale build up and can block the system. The build-up then increases the internal pressure that is needed to force heated water to flow properly through the pipes the way it is meant to. This then stops the pipes from becoming adequately heated.
You can add gentle cleaning chemicals to the water to break up and disperse of the sludge, but a proper flush of your system is still needed to keep it operating the way it should.
Following these easy steps will keep your radiator working at full capacity and will help avoid the frustration of having to deal with a cold home, expensive repair, or even a replacement.
