Flushing a radiator is part of the maintenance required to keep a heating system working efficiently. A radiator is basically a vessel used for distributing heat through radiating pipes and as such needs to be clean for maximum efficiency. Although there are different ways to flush a radiator, some more effective than others, this article will briefly describe how you can flush it using a garden hose.
Table of Contents
1. Prepare the Area
If you have a car parked in front of your house, move it. If everything is clear, then put down a drop cloth or plastic tarp to catch any water that might drip from the radiator or pipes while you’re working. You may also want to cover the area with newspapers to soak up any drips.
2. Remove Radiator Caps
If you own an older home, then you may have a radiator or two that needs to be flushed periodically. It is not difficult to do. The tools required are few and you will find that it is not expensive to flush a radiator.
The first step in flushing your radiator is to drain it of the coolant solution inside. This is done by removing the plug from the bottom of the radiator that allows trapped air to escape and by opening a valve on the side of the radiator which allows coolant solution to drain from the radiator into a pan. Once the cooling fluid has completely drained from the unit, it is time for the next step.
3. Attach garden Hose to Valve
A home’s radiator can be drained and flushed using a standard garden hose. Attach the garden hose to a lower radiator valve, such as the valve at the base of the radiator. Drain the radiator by opening the bleed value on top of the radiator. Turn the knob counterclockwise until water begins to flow from valve. Close bleed valve when water runs clear of sediment.
4. Open Valve
The first step is to open the radiator valve. You may need a wrench, but many valves can be opened with just your fingers.
If you are going to use a garden hose, make sure that it’s attached to the spigot first. Turn on the water and let it run for a few minutes.
- The next step is to turn on the hot water in the bathroom sink closest to where the radiator is located. This is done so that you can fill up the pipes and get all of the air out of them. The easiest way to do this is to let it run for about 5 minutes before turning off the tap.
- If you don’t have an outside spigot, then you can use a hose from inside your house to flush out your system. Make sure that you have some kind of bucket or tub under the radiator before turning on any taps though! The water may get pretty hot if not cold enough when filling up space around pipes while they’re running through walls/floors.
- After five minutes has passed, turn off both valves (the one under your sink as well as inside) and allow time for all remaining air bubbles in system to rise up into central heating unit before opening up again slowly so no pressure builds against piping causing leaks
5. Flush Debris from Radiator and Valve
Flushing debris from the radiator is an important part of maintaining a car’s cooling system. A radiator flush can be done at home using a garden hose and clip-on adapter. This is an inexpensive way to maintain a vehicle, and it is also an easy process.
Step 1 – Drain Radiator
Use a garden hose to drain the coolant from the radiator by connecting a garden hose to the radiator petcock located on the bottom of the radiator. The petcock will be located in one of the lower corners of the radiator depending on which side it sits on. Turn the petcock counterclockwise to open it and allow the coolant to drain into a catch basin or bucket.
Step 2 – Take off Cap
Remove the radiator cap by turning it counterclockwise, making sure to keep your hands away from the hot engine parts. Allow any leftover coolant to drain out of the radiator into your bucket as well. Remove any debris that may be clogging up this area.
Step 3 – Connect Garden Hose
Attach one end of your garden hose to a faucet, and then attach your adapter piece onto the other end of your garden hose. This adapter piece can be bought at most hardware stores or automotive stores for a reasonable price. Fit
6. Repeat Process until Water Runs Clear
By now, you should have the radiator fully drained. This will leave a good amount of water on the floor, so you may want to place down a towel or some other kind of barrier.
With the radiator drained, you can now begin the process of flushing it out with clean water. Attach a garden hose to your outdoor faucet and head back inside.
7. Close Valve and Remove Garden Gose
Let’s say you have a radiator in your house and it’s not working. You want to flush out the whole system, but you don’t want to do that with chemicals. You just want to do it with water because you don’t want to take any chances of ruining something. It’s really simple. You’re going to need a garden hose, a bucket, a funnel and some rags.
First off, you’re going to want to shut off the main valve (if there is one) or the valve right at the heater. Then, get a bucket and put it under where the hose is so you can catch any of the water.
Next, go outside and hook your garden hose up to an outdoor faucet or hose bibb. Then hook a funnel on the end of the garden hose, and feed it inside your house into your radiator where the valve is closed off.
Once you have fed enough through, turn on your water spout outside. Make sure you are holding onto your hose so it doesn’t pull out of the radiator. Fill up your radiator with water until there is no more air coming out of it. If you see air bubbles coming out of your radiator, that means that there is still air inside the valve itself.
8. Refill radiator with coolant and reconnect caps (either twist on or screw into place)
Re-install both plugs and caps in their respective openings before returning engine coolant to normal operating temperature so as not to cause overheating.
Last Words
Flushing your house rad is a must to ensure that all the sediment and buildup in there has been removed. This way you will feel confident that the boiler can burning hotter and give off more heat when it is turned up. Flushing the house rad with a garden hose removes any loose dirt, grit or other objects from the pipes at low cost.
