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LifestyleIn the NewsIf your radiators are heating slowly or staying cold, these expert-approved methods can take as little as 10 minutesAngela Patrone Senior Lifestyle Reporter and Kate Lally SEO writer
04:31, 03 Dec 2025Updated 09:43, 03 Dec 2025
As the chilly weather sets in, faulty radiators that struggle to warm up properly can become a major headache. Nobody wants a freezing home during the depths of winter, so when radiators fail to heat up, what’s the solution?
Fortunately, there are several straightforward steps households can follow to identify the issue and restore warmth to their homes quickly. In most cases, radiator problems stem from simple issues that can be easily fixed.
According to experts at DIY Plumbing, there are numerous methods to make radiators “hotter and heat up faster” – without requiring specialist equipment, reports the Express. These include:
Balance them
If a particular room consistently feels colder and its radiator takes ages to warm up, balancing the radiators might be the answer. The specialists explained: “Balancing your radiators ensures that they heat up evenly, regardless of how close they are to the boiler.”
With properly balanced radiators, homes will maintain optimal temperatures, allowing families to enjoy every space without constantly adjusting the thermostat.
Bleed them
If you’re noticing that your radiator is cold at the top but hot at the bottom, it’s due to “air trapped inside”. Essentially, the air is taking up the space where hot water should be.
The experts explained: “You can quickly increase the radiator’s performance by bleeding this air out.”
Clean and clear them
The plumbing professionals highlighted that the “fastest and cheapest way” to ensure radiators heat rooms effectively is to remove any items placed on or beneath them.
They clarified: “That’s because radiators work on the principle that hot air rises by natural convection. Cold air is drawn up the radiator at the bottom and rises out warm at the top.” Any items placed on or under the radiator will almost certainly disrupt this process, so it’s crucial to keep your radiators free from clutter.
Dust them
Just like decluttering them, radiators need a good dusting to ensure air can flow through them easily. Large clumps of dust and lint can block the middle of the radiator and reduce its efficiency.
Remove sludge
Some households may even find that their radiator is hot at the top but cold at the bottom. If this is the case, it’s likely due to sludge build-up inside. Radiator sludge is a mix of rust, dirt and scale that inevitably accumulates over time and circulates through the system.
Sludge is also the main culprit behind boiler breakdowns and can speed up the ageing of your system, so it needs to be addressed immediately.