If the valve is too big, it might be coated in paint, we had to scrape one of ours a few years ago as it looked like it had about 40 layers of paint on and it almost hid the valve..

if the key is too big, then im not sure, i thought the valve/key were a standard thing.

I suppose it is a little too big, it just would not turn!

Ordered 2, none worked...anyone got the same issue? :disappointed:

Anyone know the best way to bleed a radiator when the thread on the valve has worn?

thanks ordered;)

We haven't used any of the radiators since the Spring, do all of the radiators have to be bled (even the ones that are not used in certain rooms)? Had the heaters installed but was given no advice at all about bleeding them (why and how often you have to do it) - just got left a key in a box!

Dont have a cigarette in your mouth when your bleeding a rad, the gas that comes out before the water is flammible. "VERY TRUE"

why is it that there is always air in the rads after not using them in the summer and turning them on now in winter ?...cant see no leaks seesm i have to do this evry winter time..lol

Bought 5! One for me, the others for Xmas presents.

Get your old boiler working better too by directing them to the kettle whilst you're doing the rads

bleeding marvelous

Okay too small to hold! :smiley:

BLEEDING RADIATORS!.
No, I am not being rude here.

I find these things too small.

50p in wilkos if you don't want to wait for delivery. Got one there last week.

If you have newer radiators you might not need this, we only need a flat blade screwdriver, even has a nice little spout to direct any escape

I find a grandfather clock style key the easiest, and harder to loose, 5mm no11 is the correct size

eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/391275319928

Easy way is to touch heaters when on and if the whole radiator is hot no problem - if some are still cold at the bottom then bleed them when cold.

I bought a draper one from amazon. It's a 4 in 1 key. I use it for the electric cupboard mostly. Think it was only 99p

Something else to add to the man drawer!

make sure you bleed all the radiators. Once all the air is out - make sure the water pressure is back up to where it should be (1 bar usually)

Nice find

About 60p in wickes and they sell the butterfly version that doesn't hurt your fingers as much as these ones.

So for the clueless among us (i.e. me) what are the instructions? Something like?....
1. Switch off boiler.
2. Make sure heating has not been used for some hours so water is cold.
3. Stick bleeding tool in and twist with assurance you won't have water spraying all over your room.

Something like that, or is there other things one should be doing?

Grammatical mistakes galore in the original post, but good price

49p in toolstation if you don't want to wait for it to be delivered

Similar price at homebase. I threw away ours a few years ago thinking they were useless. Had to buy a couple recently to let some air out the heating.

Bleed them annually or more often if one has a colder top (as the air rises).
Bleed them when the boiler is not on, you don't want scolding and the pump can suck air back in.
Also check the pressure gauge if you have one - bleeding the radiators will drop the pressure slightly, as a rule of thumb it should be at 1.0 bar when the system is cold.

I was just looking for one on another well known website that sells everything! Thank you :smiley:

perfect timing!

I had gas central heating installed around four years ago now. Every year, I get the boiler checked over, but the person doing this does not check the heaters (I live in a Council property and have been told that the heaters won't get looked at unless I think there is a problem with them). I was given a key for the radiators but have never been told how often they should be bled - is it annually or more often - and, how will I know if this actually needs doing? Thank you.

Much better than the weaker aluminium ones, these don't snap off!! Hot, even at 47p. (Given that postage is more than that!!)

Cheaper than a pair of pliers.

wbmkk is correct, the price is 47p. How about a quick edit OP. :wink:

I think the CPC prices exclude VAT

Heat...one of my rads needs bleeding a lot so having a few of these (as they seem to get lost) is a worthwhile thing to do.