What we do and what we don't
We work on radiators, radiator valves, thermostatic valves and the pipework serving them: repairs, replacements, relocations, additions, removals and system balancing. That covers the overwhelming majority of 'my heating isn't right' calls.
We do not work on gas boilers or any gas appliance. That work is legally restricted to Gas Safe registered engineers. If the visit shows the fault sits with the boiler rather than the radiators, we tell you plainly and you're not charged for work we can't do.
Reading your radiators
Cold at the top
Air trapped in the panel. Bleeding it usually fixes it. If it keeps returning, air is getting in somewhere and that's the real fault.
Cold at the bottom
Magnetite sludge has settled in the panel. Flushing may recover it; a badly silted radiator is often better replaced.
Completely cold
Closed or seized valve, a stuck TRV pin, or the system is out of balance and starving that circuit.
Cold radiators upstairs only
Usually a pump, pressure or air issue on the upper circuit — worth looking at as a system, not one radiator.
Weeping valve
The gland or the tail joint. Repairable in place in most cases, and worth doing before it stains the floor.
Banging pipes
Air, or expansion against a fixing. Neither is dangerous but both get worse and both are solvable.
What you can safely check yourself
- Bleed a radiator that's cold at the top — a bleed key and a cloth, with the heating off.
- Check the thermostatic head isn't wound down to zero, and pull it off to see whether the pin underneath moves freely.
- Check the boiler pressure gauge: bleeding radiators drops it, and it usually needs topping back to around 1.0–1.5 bar cold.
- Feel every radiator in the house before calling — one cold radiator and a house full of cold radiators are completely different jobs.
- Put a bowl under a weeping valve and don't over-tighten it; brass fittings shear easily.
Moving and adding radiators
Moving a radiator along the same wall is usually a straightforward pipework alteration. Moving it to a different wall means running new pipework, which is easiest under a suspended floor and more involved with concrete or when the run has to be boxed in. We'll tell you which one you're dealing with before quoting.
Adding a radiator means checking your system can carry it — output, pipe sizing and boiler capacity. Adding one to a system that's already struggling makes every room slightly worse, so it's worth the check.
What it costs
Real North West ranges rather than headline prices. You get a fixed price for your job before any work starts.
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Radiator bled and system balancedWhole house, not one radiator. | £80 – £150 | Whole house, not one radiator. |
| Radiator valve or TRV replacedPer valve, part included on standard sizes. | £90 – £180 | Per valve, part included on standard sizes. |
| Radiator removed and flushedWhere sludge is confined to one panel. | £120 – £220 | Where sludge is confined to one panel. |
| Radiator replaced (same position)Plus the radiator, standard panel sizes. | £180 – £380 | Plus the radiator, standard panel sizes. |
| Radiator moved on the same wallDepends on access to the pipework. | £220 – £420 | Depends on access to the pipework. |
| New radiator added to the systemPipe route and system capacity decide it. | Quoted on survey | Pipe route and system capacity decide it. |
Radiator repair and installation — your questions answered
Not sure yet? Ask KJ first
Describe it in your own words, send a photo or a short video, and get a straight answer on what it is and what it should cost — before you book anything.
Tell KJ what's wrong
Free and no obligation — we'll get a qualified local plumber on it.
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KJ
onlineHonest UK plumbing advice — free, and a local plumber when you need one.
Hi, I'm KJ — honest UK plumbing advice, free, and a local plumber when you need one. Tell me what's happening — leak, blockage, boiler, emergency, anything — and I'll help you sort it.
You can send a photo, short video, voice note or share your location — whatever's easiest. Please avoid sending faces, documents, house numbers or payment cards in photos.
For genuine emergencies call 01706 318200, or the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
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