Why Is My Radiator Not Getting Hot?
If your radiator is not heating, the problem could be trapped air, a closed or faulty valve, a malfunctioning steam vent, poor circulation or an issue with the boiler itself.
To figure out how to fix your radiator, first determine whether your Brooklyn, New York area home uses steam or hot-water heat because the two systems work differently.
That distinction matters especially in Brooklyn.
Older brownstones and row houses in Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Park Slope, Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill may have heating systems that have been repaired, expanded or modified several times over many decades. Remember, many of these homes are from the 1800’s and early 1900’s!
A radiator may be original while the boiler is much newer. Pipes may have been rerouted during renovations, and a brownstone that was converted into several apartments can have a very different heating layout than it did when originally built.
Before assuming the radiator needs replacement, start with a few basic checks. Here they are:
1. Find Out Whether You Have Steam or Hot-Water Heat
One of the most common suggestions online for a cold radiator is to “bleed it.”
But you should not automatically bleed every radiator.
A hot-water radiator works by circulating heated water through the radiator and back toward the boiler. Air can become trapped inside the radiator and interfere with that circulation.
A steam radiator works differently. Steam travels into the radiator, while air escapes through an air vent. Steam radiators generally are not bled the same way as hot-water radiators.
If you can’t tell which type you have, don’t guess. Our experienced Brooklyn heating technicians and plumbers will help you decide quickly. Just call (718) 530-0404!
2. Make Sure the Radiator Valve Is Open ( DO NOT force an Old Valve!)
Sometimes the easiest fix is also the right one.
Check the hand valve where the radiator connects to the pipe. New York City heating guidance recommends making sure this valve is fully open when a radiator is cold. Read more about NYC heating guidance.
On many traditional radiator valves, turning the knob counterclockwise opens it.
One warning for Brooklyn homeowners: DO NOT FORCE AN OLD VALVE!
In an older brownstone, that valve may not have been moved in years. Corrosion, age or previous repairs can make it difficult to turn. Forcing it can transform a cold radiator into a leaking radiator.
If the valve is stuck, stop and call a professional heating and radiator repair company like Vigilante at (718) 530-0404!
3. Check the Other Radiators in Your Home
This is one of the quickest ways to narrow down the problem.
If only one radiator is cold while the others are hot, the problem is more likely related to that particular radiator, valve, vent or section of piping.
If several radiators are cold, you may have a circulation or heating-system problem.
If every radiator is cold, the problem probably is not the individual radiator at all. Check the thermostat and consider whether the boiler or heating system is operating properly.
This distinction is particularly useful in Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights brownstones and other multifamily Brooklyn buildings, where several floors may depend on the same boiler.
4. How to Bleed a Hot-Water Radiator
If you have confirmed that your home uses a hot-water heating system, trapped air may cause the radiator to stay cold near the top while becoming warmer toward the bottom.
That is when bleeding the radiator may help.
Turn the heating system off and allow the radiator to cool. Locate the small bleed valve, typically near the top of the radiator. Place a towel and small container beneath it.
Using the appropriate radiator key, slowly open the valve just enough to release trapped air.
You may hear a hissing sound.
When the hissing stops and a small steady amount of water begins to appear, carefully close the valve.
Do not completely remove the bleed valve, and remember that heating-system water can be hot.
Turn the system back on and see whether the radiator begins heating normally.
If you repeatedly need to bleed the same radiator, however, there may be a larger problem involving circulation or the heating system. At that point, professional Brooklyn heating repair makes more sense than repeatedly treating the symptom.
5. What If You Have a Steam Radiator?
Do not bleed a steam radiator as though it were part of a hot-water system.
Instead, confirm that the supply valve is fully open and look at the air vent on the side of the radiator.
If other radiators are getting hot but one steam radiator stays cold, possible causes include a faulty air vent, valve problem or an issue with steam reaching that part of the system.
You may also notice unusual noises.
A little noise does not automatically mean something is wrong with an old radiator, but repeated banging, hammering, excessive hissing or water leaking around a valve deserves attention.
If the problem persists, have the system inspected rather than taking valves or vents apart yourself.
Why Older Brooklyn Brownstones Can Have Uneven Heat
Brooklyn’s housing stock is one reason radiator troubleshooting can become complicated.
In neighborhoods such as Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens and Park Slope, many brownstones and row houses have gone through generations of renovation.
Walls have moved. Rooms have changed. Buildings have been divided into apartments. Some have later been converted back into single-family homes. Boilers have been replaced while portions of older heating piping remained.
The result can be familiar to Brooklyn homeowners: the first floor feels tropical while the top floor stays chilly, or one bedroom radiator gets piping hot while another barely warms up.
Sometimes radiator balancing, venting or a relatively simple repair solves the problem.
Other times, the radiator is only showing you a symptom of a larger heating-system issue.
For more information on Vigilante’s Brooklyn boiler repair and installation services, see our boiler service page – www.bestbrooklynplumber.com/boilers.
When Your Radiator Problem May Actually Be a Boiler Problem
You should consider professional boiler repair in Brooklyn if:
- Several radiators are not heating
- Your entire home suddenly loses heat
- The boiler repeatedly shuts down
- Water is leaking near the boiler
- The same radiator repeatedly fills with air
- Heat is extremely uneven throughout the building
- You hear persistent banging or unusual boiler noises
- A radiator valve or pipe begins leaking
If the boiler is older or has required frequent repairs, you may also want to review our guide to boiler repair vs. boiler replacement for Brooklyn property owners. [INTERNAL LINK: Boiler Repair vs. Replacement article]
Replacing radiator parts over and over will not solve a problem originating at the boiler.
What About Brooklyn Renters?
If you rent an apartment rather than own the property, start by notifying your landlord, superintendent or building management when the radiator is not providing adequate heat.
Do not begin modifying steam vents, boiler controls or building heating equipment yourself.
NYC also establishes minimum indoor temperatures during the heating season, so a persistent lack of heat can be more than simply an uncomfortable radiator problem.
Call Vigilante When the Simple Fixes Don’t Work
Vigilante Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning has served Brooklyn since 1927. Our heating technicians work with boilers and heating systems throughout Park Slope, Gowanus, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and surrounding Brooklyn neighborhoods.
If your radiator is not getting hot and checking the valve or bleeding an appropriate hot-water radiator does not solve the problem, it is time to investigate further.
The issue may be the radiator. It may be the piping. Or it may originate with the boiler supplying heat throughout the building.
For related seasonal advice, see our guide on how to get your Brooklyn furnace ready for spring. We’re exceptionally good ( and affordable ) with furnace repairs.
Need help now? Contact Vigilante Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning or call (718) 530-0404 for Brooklyn heating and boiler service.
