If you’re a homeowner, it might seem like everything around the house needs some kind of maintenance.

And while this is mainly true – sometimes we wait for things break before performing the required maintenance.

Let’s take home radiators for example. Think about it. When was the last time you had preventive maintenance done on it?

After dealing with what seemed like a never-ending winter – we thought it would be a good idea to put together tips on how you could prevent and fix the common causes of radiator leaks.

What Causes Leaks In Home Radiators?

We figured we’d start here because most owners aren’t aware that the simplest chemical reaction can cause rust and leaks on your heating unit. Normally caused by ignored sludge in home radiators- if it’s left untreated, it can produce tiny holes in your unit which can cause leaks.

Water will always react with steel. So unless you’re looking to replace your home radiator– take time to inspect your system and remove any mud-textured substance that might cause the radiator to stop functioning properly.

How Do I Prevent Rusting?

If your system is still under warranty, be sure that the plumber flushed out the system of any debris when installing your unit. Any rubbish recycling itself through your system increases the chance of corrosion.

But if your system is clear from all debris, we recommend that you apply a corrosion inhibitor. Because this adds an extra layer of protection for your unit, it helps slow down the corrosion process and adds to the lifespan of your unit.

What If My Unit is Already Leaking?

Just because your radiator is leaking doesn’t automatically mean you have to think about buying a new unit. Contrary to popular belief, radiator leakage doesn’t always consist of a ghastly out of pocket costs.

Here’s what you do if you’ve got a wet radiator:

1. Find out where the water is coming from. Completely dry out the radiator and find out what is the source of the leak.

2. If it’s coming from one of the valves, you might need to call a plumber. Grab a wrench and fully close the radiator valve. This should stop the leakage while your plumber makes his way over to your home.

3. Sometimes the leak comes from the intersection of a pipe and a valve. Before making a house call, tighten up the loose bolts yourself. This can very well be the solution to your problem.

4. But if your leak is coming from your electric radiator, this is a sign that your radiator does need to be replaced immediately.

Replacing your radiator is never fun and the out of pocket expenses can be costly. So if you haven’t performed a basic maintenance check on your system, we strongly urge you to do so before it’s too late. Don’t wait until your home radiator breaks in order to complete the proper maintenance.

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