When the summer months begin to give way to cool autumn evenings, it is a sure sign that it’s time to check that your central heating system can spring effortlessly back into action once more.
But if you notice a strange odour coming from your central heating radiators, try not to panic. Although unpleasant, this isn't an uncommon occurrence, so let’s take a look at some of the causes of pungent radiators and what you can do to remedy the situation.
If you haven’t had much cause to use your central heating radiators in a while, you might have forgotten to give them a good dust from time to time. A build-up of dirt, hair and other debris can cause a musty and almost burning smell to come from your radiators, but it really isn’t anything to worry about.
Just break out a couple of dusters and a hand-held vacuum if you have one and give your central heating radiators a good spring clean. They’ll be smelling fresh and working properly again in no time.
You may find that in a column radiator, the columns will collect dust if it's not well maintained. However not to fear. This is easy to maintain as all it will require is a wipe-down.
If your radiators have been leaking for a while and you haven’t noticed, then mould spores can begin to breed on the carpet quickly.
Moulding behind a radiator or around it gives off a damp, earthy or musty smell that isn't at all pleasant, and your carpet and underlay offer the perfect breeding ground for spores to thrive in warm and moist conditions.
If this is the case with your central heating radiators, then make sure that you check that all of the valves are closed properly and tightened before you start to tackle any visible mould.
The best way to do this is to use bleach, but sadly this may stain your carpets leaving them needing to be replaced. Instead, you’ll find a range of mould-cleaning sprays available to buy in your supermarket or local DIY store. These can help kill mould spores without ruining your carpet, so pull the carpet up in the affected area, spray any visible mould and leave to dry with the window open. This should remove the odour and stop the mould from spreading.
Perhaps the most worrying smell your central heating radiators can emit, is the smell of rotting eggs which really isn't nice. This odour is caused by a build-up of hydrogen sulphide, so if you detect it near your bathroom radiators or central heating radiators, you need to take action quickly.
This smell can also linger around towel radiators, so if you notice even a faint egg-like smell, you're going to need to remove the towel radiator from the wall to assess any damage.
Hydrogen sulphide and central heating systems do not mix well as it can cause corrosion throughout your system. The strange smell that you’ve identified could also have a detrimental impact on your boiler, so you’ll need to drain those towel radiators and radiators quickly to avoid any further damage.
To drain your central heating radiators and towel radiators, you’ll need a bucket, a washing-up bowl, a wrench and plenty of old towels to soak up any foul-smelling liquid that escapes from your system. Set to work draining your central heating heating units quickly and do the same with all towel radiators and radiators. Any remaining hydrogen sulphide can flow through the system as soon as you refill it and continue to cause more damage.
While bleeding the system, you might spot red-coloured liquid with particles of rust escaping. If this is the case, now is the time to consider replacing your towel radiator or central heating radiators.
If things don’t smell too pleasant but don't seem too bad in terms of rusty particles, you’ll need to close the valves ready to refill the system with clean water.
Refilling the system with clean water will hopefully rid your radiators of the unpleasant rotten egg smell, but to give them a really good clean, you can purchase system cleaners online or from plumbing centres. The amount you'll need to use depends on your system and the number of central heating radiators in your home, so make sure you read the instructions first before putting any of the liquid in to circulate.
Once the system is refilled with water and you’ve added the system cleaner, go around your bathroom radiators and other radiators located around your home to check for any leakages. This is also the time to tighten any valves as needed.
In a few hours, you should notice that the bad odour has disappeared and you’ll be free to continue using your towel radiator without having to put up with an awful smell. So, now you've got rid of the smell BUT is it making a noise? if so, check out our blog on why is my radiator making noise?
If the outcome is that you'll need to start looking at replacing your radiators, then a good place to start will be the btu calculator, as this will tell you what heat output is required from your rooms. So your home will be efficiently heated throughout the year.
Sometimes the damage may be too much and you'll need to look at replacing your radiator. Not to worry though, as we have many designer radiators on our site to fit different budgets. No matter what you're looking for you can be sure to find a beautiful new radiator in your price range. Some of the radiators we have in stock include vertical radiators, cast iron radiators and column radiators. Whatever style you're looking for, you can ensure we've got it.
If you're looking to get an amazing deal on a new radiator then make sure to check out our radiators on sale. We have a massive range of radiators on our sales page. Enjoy free delivery (next working day) on selected items and long-lasting warranties on every radiator stocked with Designer Radiators Direct.
If you have any questions regarding your radiator or if you have any queries regarding our radiators, please contact us right away. Our award-winning customer-focused team are always happy to help you.
Why Does My Radiator Smell?
But if you notice a strange odour coming from your central heating radiators, try not to panic. Although unpleasant, this isn't an uncommon occurrence, so let’s take a look at some of the causes of pungent radiators and what you can do to remedy the situation.
Dust and Dirt
If you haven’t had much cause to use your central heating radiators in a while, you might have forgotten to give them a good dust from time to time. A build-up of dirt, hair and other debris can cause a musty and almost burning smell to come from your radiators, but it really isn’t anything to worry about.
Just break out a couple of dusters and a hand-held vacuum if you have one and give your central heating radiators a good spring clean. They’ll be smelling fresh and working properly again in no time.
You may find that in a column radiator, the columns will collect dust if it's not well maintained. However not to fear. This is easy to maintain as all it will require is a wipe-down.
Mould
If your radiators have been leaking for a while and you haven’t noticed, then mould spores can begin to breed on the carpet quickly.
Moulding behind a radiator or around it gives off a damp, earthy or musty smell that isn't at all pleasant, and your carpet and underlay offer the perfect breeding ground for spores to thrive in warm and moist conditions.
If this is the case with your central heating radiators, then make sure that you check that all of the valves are closed properly and tightened before you start to tackle any visible mould.
The best way to do this is to use bleach, but sadly this may stain your carpets leaving them needing to be replaced. Instead, you’ll find a range of mould-cleaning sprays available to buy in your supermarket or local DIY store. These can help kill mould spores without ruining your carpet, so pull the carpet up in the affected area, spray any visible mould and leave to dry with the window open. This should remove the odour and stop the mould from spreading.
Hydrogen Sulphide is the Culprit
Perhaps the most worrying smell your central heating radiators can emit, is the smell of rotting eggs which really isn't nice. This odour is caused by a build-up of hydrogen sulphide, so if you detect it near your bathroom radiators or central heating radiators, you need to take action quickly.
This smell can also linger around towel radiators, so if you notice even a faint egg-like smell, you're going to need to remove the towel radiator from the wall to assess any damage.
Hydrogen sulphide and central heating systems do not mix well as it can cause corrosion throughout your system. The strange smell that you’ve identified could also have a detrimental impact on your boiler, so you’ll need to drain those towel radiators and radiators quickly to avoid any further damage.
To drain your central heating radiators and towel radiators, you’ll need a bucket, a washing-up bowl, a wrench and plenty of old towels to soak up any foul-smelling liquid that escapes from your system. Set to work draining your central heating heating units quickly and do the same with all towel radiators and radiators. Any remaining hydrogen sulphide can flow through the system as soon as you refill it and continue to cause more damage.
While bleeding the system, you might spot red-coloured liquid with particles of rust escaping. If this is the case, now is the time to consider replacing your towel radiator or central heating radiators.
If things don’t smell too pleasant but don't seem too bad in terms of rusty particles, you’ll need to close the valves ready to refill the system with clean water.
Refill With Water
Refilling the system with clean water will hopefully rid your radiators of the unpleasant rotten egg smell, but to give them a really good clean, you can purchase system cleaners online or from plumbing centres. The amount you'll need to use depends on your system and the number of central heating radiators in your home, so make sure you read the instructions first before putting any of the liquid in to circulate.
Once the system is refilled with water and you’ve added the system cleaner, go around your bathroom radiators and other radiators located around your home to check for any leakages. This is also the time to tighten any valves as needed.
In a few hours, you should notice that the bad odour has disappeared and you’ll be free to continue using your towel radiator without having to put up with an awful smell. So, now you've got rid of the smell BUT is it making a noise? if so, check out our blog on why is my radiator making noise?
Is It Time To Replace Your Radiators?
If the outcome is that you'll need to start looking at replacing your radiators, then a good place to start will be the btu calculator, as this will tell you what heat output is required from your rooms. So your home will be efficiently heated throughout the year.
Sometimes the damage may be too much and you'll need to look at replacing your radiator. Not to worry though, as we have many designer radiators on our site to fit different budgets. No matter what you're looking for you can be sure to find a beautiful new radiator in your price range. Some of the radiators we have in stock include vertical radiators, cast iron radiators and column radiators. Whatever style you're looking for, you can ensure we've got it.
If you're looking to get an amazing deal on a new radiator then make sure to check out our radiators on sale. We have a massive range of radiators on our sales page. Enjoy free delivery (next working day) on selected items and long-lasting warranties on every radiator stocked with Designer Radiators Direct.
If you have any questions regarding your radiator or if you have any queries regarding our radiators, please contact us right away. Our award-winning customer-focused team are always happy to help you.
