Here is the indicator that the radiators are not working well (making you waste energy and money)

Here is the indicator that the radiators are not working well (making you waste energy and money)

The presence of rust on our radiator could be a sign of a leak and, therefore, of a malfunction of the radiator

He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him

The presence of rust on our radiator could be a sign of a leak and, therefore, of a malfunction of the radiator





In these weeks of intense cold, turning on the heaters for many hours a day is causing consumption and the prices of gas bills to rise, to the detriment of our wallets. We have already explained to you that carrying out a correct and complete cleaning of our radiators is essential to allow the entire system to work at maximum efficiency, so that the money spent on its ignition is not wasted.

However, there is an element to keep under control to verify the proper functioning of the radiator and the possible waste of energy and money: the presence of the ruggine. Noticing rust stains on the metal of the radiator, in fact, is not a good sign: although the presence of rust does not directly affect the operation of the radiator, it is the clear demonstration that it is leaking water from the elements and this affects its correct functioning. Obviously, rust can also form in the presence of an old system that is in a damp place: to dispel the doubt and check whether it is a water leak or simply dirt, just try to clean the stain. If the stain comes off with the help of a damp cloth and a brush, then don't worry; if, on the other hand, the rust persists, it is better to have the system overhauled.

Rust on the radiator: what to do

After checking for a leak, we have to look for the cause: it could be a damage to an element of the radiator, or more likely a leak coming from a valve not tightened correctly. With the radiators off and cold, we feel with our hand all the elements of the radiator and the valves one by one, looking for a wet or damp surface: this will help us to understand the origin of the leak. If the leak comes from one of the valves, we can proceed to tighten it with the help of a wrench. If we assume instead that the leak comes from one of the elements, it is better to call a technician who will eventually replace the entire radiator.



How to remove rust from the radiator

Once the leak has been isolated and resolved, all we have to do is clean the radiator and eliminate the unsightly rust stain that the water has caused on the metal. Also in this case, it is a rather easy operation, which requires a small expense and does not require the support of a technician. Always remembering to act on the radiators that are turned off and cold, let's start with a thorough cleaning of the radiator, which we will do with the help of a soft cloth. Then we use newspaper sheets and adhesive paper tape to shield the floor and walls around the radiator, then we proceed to remove the rust: for this operation we use a wire brush (you can buy it in hardware stores) and then, to finish the job , some coarse-grained sandpaper.

Once all traces of rust have been eliminated, clean the radiator again with a cloth and then apply a coat of anti-rust paint, which will avoid the recurrence of the unsightly stain. Finally, we paint the radiator again with a specific paint for the metal: we also apply two coats of paint, so that we can be sure that we have done a good job.


Read all our articles on radiators.

Follow your Telegram Instagram | Facebook TikTok Youtube


We also recommend:

  • The most effective remedies for removing rust stains from surfaces and fabrics without using radiant water
  • How to remove stains and whiten yellowed radiators
  • Indoor plants: how to have them luxuriant and in good health even with the radiators on
add a comment of Here is the indicator that the radiators are not working well (making you waste energy and money)
Comment sent successfully! We will review it in the next few hours.