| It is still a very grey area for many people, but | | | | have a small bowl ready to catch any excess |
| identifying when something is wrong with your | | | | water that gets released from the radiator. You |
| central heating system is very important, and | | | | don't need an engineer out to do this, but if you |
| should be taken seriously. The boiler and the | | | | are elderly or really apprehensive about doing it, |
| radiators often get neglected because they just | | | | an engineer will happily bleed your radiators for |
| work in the background of the hectic home life | | | | you. |
| and no-one ever really thinks to check on things. | | | | Humming |
| However, with a rise in boiler explosions due to | | | | An odd 'humming' sound is also a common |
| undetected faults, it is more important than ever | | | | problem with the typical central heating system. |
| to make yourself aware of something not | | | | This is generally caused by the pump sending the |
| working quite right with your central heating | | | | water round the system too fast, in which case it |
| system. | | | | needs to be turned down to a slightly lower |
| Strange Sounds | | | | setting. There are also other internal issues that |
| If you hear any strange noises, this could mean | | | | could be the cause so, if in doubt, call the engineer |
| there is an internal fault that needs looking at. You | | | | out to take a look. |
| won't be able to get to it yourself, or even be | | | | Creaks |
| able to see where the noise is coming from, but a | | | | Most people have heard the central heating 'creak' |
| trained engineer will. As a homeowner, you're not | | | | as the house heats up when you have the central |
| expected to go testing the boiler. The safest thing | | | | heating turned on. This is due to the pipes rubbing |
| is to just check if your radiators are working, but | | | | on walls / floor materials as they expand due to |
| even this can be dangerous when they get very | | | | warmth, so it is perfectly natural to hear some |
| hot, so the safest option is just to call an engineer | | | | odd creaking sounds every now and then when |
| round to test everything. | | | | you turn the central heating system on. If you |
| Water Noises | | | | haven't had it on for many months then you may |
| Hearing a water gurgling sound from your | | | | notice this noise more. |
| radiators doesn't necessarily mean you need to | | | | Of course, if you notice something is wrong with |
| panic. In fact, this is a very common problem. The | | | | your central heating system, or even if it just |
| solution is to bleed the radiators, as it is trapped | | | | sounds a bit different to usual, the best advice is |
| air that is causing the gurgling water. This can be | | | | to call the engineer round to give it a thorough |
| done in about 5-10 minutes, but make sure you | | | | check and put your mind at ease. |