While it’s certainly true that radiators can go years without needing repairing or replacing, with majority simply needing to be bled every now and then, there will always eventually come a time when you could do with replacing the radiators throughout your home.

 

Of course, this isn’t necessarily the easiest process, so the last thing you want is to wait until things are beyond repair and be left without central heating for an extended period of time whilst you wait to have new ones installed! With that in mind, it’s best to know the signs that your radiators may need replacing, so that you can organise this work in advance and avoid having to go without.

 

Here are just a few of the key signs that your radiators may need replacing in the near future.

 

They Are Making A Lot Of Noise

 

While the majority of modern radiators are near enough completely silent while they are in use, there are still some styles of radiators where it isn’t unusual for them to make some noise once they’re switched on.

 

However, if your radiator is beginning to make more noise than usual, whether the noise has changed somehow or is simply getting louder, it could be a sign that it will need replacing at some point in the near future.

 

Loud or unusual noises coming from your radiator may be an indication of problems with the internal mechanism, especially if you have noticed that they are taking much longer to heat up than usual and bleeding the radiators hasn’t worked.

 

You Suspect That They Have Been Leaking

 

If you’ve noticed any signs that your radiators may be leaking, this could be a sign that they’ve certainly seen better days and may soon need replacing.

 

Signs of this include small puddles or even droplets of water being found around your radiator or simply noticing spots of rust around the valves and pipes – these all point to the fact there may be a slow leak coming from your radiator, so it’s best to keep an eye out for them every so often.

 

Remember, even a slow leak within a radiator will continue to get progressively worse, eventually leading to the radiator failing altogether, so it’s best to get it sorted as soon as you begin to notice the signs.

 

You Are Having Your Boiler Replaced

 

If you are having a new boiler installed for any reason, it’s always best to consider whether or not you should have your radiators replaced at the same time. There are a few reasons for this, one being that modern boilers may not be quite as compatible with older radiator systems, leading to more issues with the radiators in the long run – no matter how new your boiler is, an old radiator will not heat any quicker if it can’t keep up.

 

Another reason is that your radiators will need replacing eventually anyway, so taking this sort of pre-emptive action will heat your home more effectively now and stop you from having a central heating failure in the near future.

 

So, if you’re having your boiler replaced, consider asking the plumber doing the work for you about having your radiators replaced at the same time – an investment now will save you unexpected problems down the line.

 

You Are Having To Bleed Them More Often

 

In theory, any radiator that is in good working condition shouldn’t need to be bled any more often than once a year. If you’ve found yourself having to repeat the bleeding process any more frequently than this, it could point to an issue somewhere within your central heating system, usually in the internal mechanism of the radiator itself.

 

In the case that you find multiple radiators in your home need to be bled more frequently, this is a sure-fire way to tell that there’s another problem somewhere down the supply line. The best thing to do in this situation is to call on a plumber to come and take a look – they’ll be able to let you know whether or not this is an issue that can be fixed by flushing the radiators or whether you may need to replace your radiators altogether.

 

Your Bills Are Rising

 

Unless your water usage differs drastically each month, your water bills should remain relatively similar throughout the year. With that in mind, if you notice your water bills suddenly increasing in large amounts each month, it could be a sign that there’s a problem with either your boiler or your radiators.

 

Of course, there’s also a chance that rising water bills are a sign of a leak somewhere within your plumbing system so, in any case, it’s best to call on the help of a professional if you notice yourself experiencing an issue like this.

 

If you’ve noticed any of these signs within your own home, it could be time to call on a plumber for some advice!

 

Here at Neil Pyne Plumbing & Heating, we have the expertise and experience necessary to help with a huge variety of plumbing-related questions and concerns – and to fix any plumbing and heating problems that you might have.

 

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you find that you need any advice on the plumbing systems within your own home, as we are always more than happy to help!