Which way do you turn a radiator valve to open it?
Matthew Wilson
Updated on January 22, 2026
Turn valves clockwise to turn your radiator off and anticlockwise to turn it back on. Turning your radiators off is easy.
Is it clockwise to open radiator valve?
Open your radiator valvesNow open BOTH radiator valves on each radiator completely, by turning them anti-clockwise (to the left). For manual valves and TRVs it's easy to do by hand.
Do both valves on a radiator need to be open?
You should open both of the valves on all of your system's radiator when you are starting the radiator balancing process. You will most likely need to use pliers to open the lockshield valve.How do you open a radiator?
Turn on a water-circulating radiator by rotating the control valve counterclockwise to open it. This valve must be open all the way for the radiator to reach its maximum temperature. Look for a bleed valve if the radiator doesn't get hot.What are the 2 valves on a radiator?
One valve accounts for the amount of hot water that enters the radiator. The other valve, referred to as the lockshield valve, balances the system by regulating how much heat the radiator gives off. For a more detailed insight, take a look at our Radiator Valve Guide.How to turn different radiator valves off
How do you know if a radiator valve is open or closed?
Check the radiator control valve: If a radiator is not getting hot: (steam or hot water) first see if the valve that controls it has been turned off. Try turning the valve counter-clockwise to see if it will open.Which side of a radiator turns it off?
To turn a radiator off, locate the thermostatic valve on the left side and turn the valve clockwise until the dial reads 0. Next, find the second valve on the right side of the radiator and twist it clockwise until it won't turn anymore. Once both valves are closed, the radiator will be completely turned off.How do you adjust radiator heat?
Check your radiator for a thermostatic valve. This device lets you adjust the setting on the radiator so that you can control how much heat it puts out. Your radiator might not have a thermostatic valve if it's older, but you can always have one installed if you wish to have more control of your radiator's heat output.Why is 1 radiator in my house cold?
Why is one radiator cold when the heating is on? One cold radiator usually indicates that either there is air in the system or there is a stuck valve within that radiator. The thermostatic radiator valve (TRV), like the one pictured below, controls the flow of hot water to the radiator.How do you turn off a radiator valve?
How to turn off a radiator with non-thermostatic radiator valves
- Locate the valve: A non-thermostatic radiator valve can be located on either the left or the right of the radiator. ...
- Turn the radiator off: To turn your radiator off, turn the valve clockwise as far as it will go.
What is the knob on a radiator for?
Typically you turn the knob clockwise to turn the heat off, counter-clockwise all the way to turn the heat on. If the radiator is off, it shouldn't make any banging sounds. "When you have it opened halfway, that can lead to banging problems," Varsalona says. Other possible causes of radiator noise?What does the knob on the left of radiator do?
It controls how much water stays in or flows out of the radiator and back into the pipework and is usually fixed so that it can't be easily turned. The heating engineer will have set it up to ensure an even distribution of water evenly around the property, so your radiators will heat up at similar speeds.Why is my radiator not heating up?
Check for Trapped Air and Bleed Your RadiatorsIf just one (or a few) of your radiators aren't heating up, the most common reason for this is trapped air. If you've just turned the heating back on after the summer, air can become trapped in your radiators, causing them to be warm at the bottom but cold at the top.