If you’re anything like me, you’re a do it yourself kind of person. It’s always more fun and exciting to be able to fix things yourself than to have to call in the pros. But is this a good attitude to have when dealing with cast iron radiators? What kind of maintenance should you be attempting, and what should you be calling in the plumber for?

Bleeding the Radiator

This may sound like bad medicine, but it actually is a good term when applied to radiators. Bleeding the radiator is something you should try if you find that the radiator is colder than it should be, or that the room isn’t heating properly. What’s going on here is that air is getting caught in the coils and impeding the flow of water that your radiators depend on for even heating. Bleeding the radiator is as simple as opening the valve towards the top of the radiator. Wait until the hissing sound stops before closing the vent again. In addition, you may want to have some kind of washcloth on hand - often times some water will get shot out of the valve when you open it.

A Leaky Radiator

If your radiator is leaking, odds are that you can fix it yourself and save yourself a hefty plumbers fee. It’s a little involved, though, so make sure you’re in it for the long haul. First you’ll need to drain the radiator of any water or steam that’s inside. Next strip the surface of all the paint, primer, and dust which have settled there. Remove any grease or oil on the surface by using a non-petroleum cleaner. You’re then going to need to apply a special product used for sealing. J-B Weld has been noted as being good for this. Use a 50-50 proportioned solution and spread it over the entire radiator, making sure that your layer isn’t too think in any one place. About 1/32 inch thick should do the trick nicely. Make sure you’re really careful with the solution - it can do a lot of damage if it gets in your eyes or onto your skin, so wear gloves and goggles. Then all you’ll need to do is let it dry. About 15-20 hours generally does the trick. While the process is involved and lengthy, it’ll save you a couple of bucks in the long run.

Problems With the Circulator

The circulator is what pumps the hot water to all the radiators in your house. I wouldn’t touch the thing with a ten foot pole, personally. If you’re having trouble with your circulator, call in the pros and let them get to work. This is one thing you don’t want to touch without some kind of expertise.