Rusty central heating radiators ? 

I found patches of rust on the bathroom radiator of the home I moved into almost 4 years ago. I sanded down the rust, applied a rust inhibitor, then painted the whole radiator using radiator paint. The rust hasn't reappeared, and in those 4 years I've had no leaks. I think it all depends on how bad the rust is.

This was the reason for my recent radiator replacement in the bathroom - a line of rust running along the bottom edge - thanks to one of your other videos the job was made much easier for me - thankyou.

Onset of rust can come from tiny knocks on the painted surface when mopping the floor for example. Combined with the humid bathroom environment leads to rust. If caught early, there are rust killers / stabilisers that can be used and then top coated with an appropriate paint. Great videos, keep on posting.

Hi Al, thanks for the video, and advice, I'm on my 2nd bathroom rad, as you say you can't stop it once it starts rusting, I even bought special paint to try and fix the first one, it was a waste of money ,the rust came back, so now I leave em alone and when it becomes unsitely, I change it, cheers Al, I hope you and Jan are doing ok mate, best wishe's to you both, Stuart.uk.

Thanks for the advice! I’ll leave mine well alone now, now that you’ve said that. Cheers mate. Have a good one x

We had a new one of these fitted from Screwfix about 7 years ago and very quickly it started to show signs of rust (despite having inhibitor inside the system) The whole of the radiator all the way up is showing signs of rust under the paint, and the bottom like in this video being particularly bad. I was going to get some rust remover/primer and then use a white radiator spray paint I got from Lidl. Why they don't make radiators galvanised is beyond me.

Ive been fortunate and havent had to replace a rusty rad. Had to replace one where the bleed valve wouldnt open. Our current rads are Myson roll tops as the house was built new in 1996 and the replacement tail exits on the new rad were longer than the old. That caused some excitement when fitting the new one as the pipes had been tiled around!

I have five rads like this, they have lasted 20 years though. The ones that are rusty do seem to be in areas where condensation build up (en-suite, kitchen, etc.)

I think its hanging wet clothes and towels on the rads that causes this.

I have 2 massive radiators rolled into my bay window areas. The rads are in good nick. It's just the darn bleed valves they're knackered. What would be the easiest way to remove them? Where can I purchase replacements from? Hope you and your Mrs's are staying safe and always a pleasure watching your uploads. 👍

Imagine swapping from an open vented system boiler to a pressurised boiler without due consideration for perhaps having to replace dodgy, old, rusty rads?

Mine is similar to this in the bathroom and bedroom is probs due to previous tenant having no windows open and damp x

Thankyou very helpful ☺️

The 1980s radiators I have are still fine, ones installed more recently are shit. What would be the best brands to look for of those currently available?

How thick are the metal on radiators?

I wonder if those air blowers built into the rad would help keep them dry

could you not solder it

Watched your video on rusty radiators I put a new one in 6 months ago and now ite started to go rusty slightly at the bottom this is in the bathroom any advice thanks Karl

My radiator has a 1cm lip around the edges (except the top), I think it's where the metal has been crimped together, but the bottom of that crimped seam is rusting. Would you still advise against sanding that bit down? I'm kinda hoping because that crimped bit is not in direct contact with the internal water or the cavity, it might be ok?

Kudox radiators seem to last well

Same problem on my bathroom radiator which was fitted only two years ago,I blamed the wife saying she bangs into it with the hoover chipping the paint off.

Hi, really need your advice although nothing to do with rusty radiators. We have old lead pipes with internal stopcock on that has seized up. The external stopcock won’t fully turn off and united utilities say they don’t maintain them anymore. Can you please advise on how I can get internal one working or replaced.

should there be external rust at the bottom if only 18 mts old?

Al get me to come and help you install underfloor heating 😂😂😂 rusty rads normally in bathrooms where steam or condensation exists 😜😜😜

Can you fix a leaking radiator due to rust ?

this exactly what happened to are radiator and there's a tiny leak ..so looks like we will have buy a new one..

Hi. Would they still rust from the inside with inhibitor in the system? Thank you.

what brand of radiator would you recommend ?

What type of radiators did you say at 0:37 please.

Spotted rust but thought better not say anything as might say getting picky

The external corrosion is entirely due to poor manufacturing - poor material preparation and inadequate paint scheme. It is highly likely they painted over rusty panels at the factory. Poorly ventilated bathrooms will accelerate corrosion once it starts but would not cause it on a quality painted radiator. Internal corrosion is a different matter and the reason why inhibitor needs to be maintained throughout the life of the system.

really shame al this fancy radiators comes with guarnte waist of time and money in the bathroom the solution is towel radiators.