How to Fix a Leaking Curved Radiator (and Other Problems)

Curved radiators are growing in popularity all around the United Kingdom and North America for a whole pack of reasons; they’re excellent at filling dead space in your home, especially those areas which are too awkwardly shaped for more traditional home radiators.

In addition to freeing up space for furniture and other fixtures, modern curved radiators such as radiators for bay windows at RadiatorFactory.net are also guaranteed for five to ten years and are highly efficient.

Contemporary curved radiators combine the reliability and affordability of traditional home radiators, with the benefit of employing modern designs that look great, too.

However, as with any appliance or fixture, without proper maintenance a radiator can start to show signs of age. Some common problems that may plague a curved home radiator include leaking around wall baseboards and along the piping system.

Fixing a leaking curved radiator is possible without the help of a professional radiator repair company, although we don’t suggest it. Trying to repair a leaking curved radiator all by yourself could become a dangerous proposition, so this article is not for beginners!

Types of Heating Systems

Before you even think of buying a brand new radiator from The Radiator Factory UK or tackle the task of repairing your leaky home radiator, it is important to identify and understand the differences between the various radiator types that are available:

  • Boiler: Heats your home with hot water, also known as “hydronic”
  • Furnace: Uses hot air to heat your home
  • Steam: Boils water first, then sends steam through your home to heat it
  • Hybrid: Hybrid radiators implement various ways of heating or cooling

While there are others on the market, these are by far the most common and it is important to note that some home radiators can also cool your home in addition to heating it.

How to Know if Your Radiator is Leaking

After you have identified that your home radiator is or is not working in the first place, follow these steps to identify leaks:

  1. Examine the floor close to each heating/cooling component for stains created by water which has leaked out of them.
  2. Examine the gaps in between each section of your radiator if it’s a hydronic or steam operated unit, as it may mean this is where sections are connected.
  3. Examine your radiator for rust and damage from aging; rust is also a prime indicator of a leaking radiator.
  4. Check your radiator service tag to see if any harmful chemicals or additives were used in your heating or cooling system for safety purposes!

How to Fix a Leaky Curved Radiator

If pinhole leaks in radiators that use copper piping:

In order to repair pinhole leaks in copper piping, remove water from the radiator and use soldering to repair the hole. However, it is important to understand that a pinhole leak could be an indication of further damage elsewhere.

If you seek a temporary fix while you wait for a radiator service professional:

In cases where you aren’t quite convinced you can tackle a permanent solution on your own, you might just require a quick, temporary fix. In these situations it is possible to use an epoxy such as those used for automotive radiator repairs, as they are intended to withstand intense heat –just make sure that you clean and dry it long enough that the material can bond to the surface of the affected area.

In Conclusion

As you can tell by now, fixing a leaking radiator can be a little nerve-racking and it might be wise to contact a professional or upgrade your aging radiator system with a solution The Radiator Factory UK.

Home radiators are an excellent way to heat and cool your home, however nothing beats the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of installing a modern curved radiator in your home.