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As the cold weather draws in, there is nothing like having a warm home to get you through winter. Traditional radiators have been a classic addition to British homes for years, and there really is no need to change this trend to achieve a stylish look for your property while still keeping warm.

In this guide, we’re going to look at why traditional radiators are still the perfect choice for both new and established homes.

What is a Traditional Radiator?

Whether you know them as traditional, Victorian, or vintage, this is the type of heating that has been used in homes for decades. This is the perfect way to provide character to your home while still retaining a classical appearance and, of course, excellent levels of heating functionality.

How Do Traditional Radiators Work?

Traditional radiators work by being connected to a boiler that provides the hot water, which is then pumped around the pipes. When the thermostat recognises that heating is needed, the boiler activates and warms the water before it is pumped through to each of the radiators. The heated water inside the radiator heats up quickly and spreads out across its surface.

However, rather than this heat dissipating as it would with a modern radiator, traditional radiators retain that heat allowing you to enjoy the warmth for much longer. When you feel that warmth coming through, then it’s time to turn your thermostat down and save on costly energy bills by heating less water!

Traditional vs modern radiators

So, what are the benefits of traditional radiators?

  • They offer excellent heating potential with large surface areas.
  • The ability to retain heat for longer is excellent, saving you money on your energy bills while still keeping you warm.
  • Traditional radiators come in a huge range of styles and designs to suit all tastes and homes, old or new.

Most importantly, traditional radiators provide excellent levels of warmth that keep families across the country feeling comfortable whatever the weather outside!

Leaking Radiators

Over time, radiators can become loose or suffer minor damages. If this happens, it’s essential to get them fixed as soon as possible in order to avoid water damage and the potential for freezing pipes!

Don’t forget that the water coming from the radiator will be hot, so take care when checking for leaks.

Signs of a leaking radiator

  • If you find that your boiler pressure keeps dropping even after refilling, then that’s telling you that you have a leak within the radiator system.
  • Telltale water spots are another sign. Look out for watermarks around radiator valves, underfloor heating shut-off valves, and in your cupboards or utility room where you store the boiler. Then there are the wet patches on the carpets to look out for.
  • Rust around the pipe joints is another sure sign of a leak. The joints do tend to be a weak point and so are a likely area for a leaking pipe.

When is it time to get new radiators?

As with most things, traditional radiators are pretty resilient and, with regular maintenance, can last you for many years. If, however, the leak is coming from the body of the radiator, then that inevitably means that a replacement will be needed.

That’s because the leak is likely to be coming from tiny pinholes caused by a rust patch on the inside of the radiator. This, in turn, is usually because of a build-up of sludge running through the heating system. When this happens, it’s essential to get the entire heating system cleaned before new radiators are installed; otherwise, you’ll find yourself in the same situation in no time at all.

Getting Professional Help

It is always best to ask an expert before attempting any work on your radiators so that the issue can be identified quickly and fixed appropriately. Replacing radiators is one of those jobs that seems to be really straightforward at first, but it can be a very messy and labour intensive process.

Allowing a professional to take care of this will give you peace of mind that the job has been done correctly, and it saves you from worrying about issues in the future.

You may also want to consider updating your heating system as part of general renovations, which is very popular now, thanks to government initiatives such as the Green Deal. This allows homeowners to receive funding for home improvements that save them money on energy bills in the future.

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