Radiator key provision in Exeter
Professional radiator key provision services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
5 mins + key sourcing
Location
Exeter, Devon
Radiator keys provided and demonstrated. I'll supply the right size, show you how to bleed radiators properly, leave spare keys. DIY maintenance sorted.
Lost the Radiator Key? Never Had One?
You need to bleed your radiators but you don't have the key. Or you've got a key but you're not sure if it's the right size. Or you've got the key but you're terrified of doing it wrong and flooding the house.
Fair concerns, all of them.
💡 Pro tip: Most radiators use standard square-drive bleed valves (cheap universal key works). But some use slotted screws, hex keys, or nothing at all (twist by hand). Worth knowing which yours are.
Types of Radiator Bleed Valves
| Valve Type | Tool Needed | Common On |
|---|---|---|
| Square drive (standard) | Universal radiator key | 95% of UK radiators |
| Flathead slot | Small flathead screwdriver | Older radiators |
| Hex socket | Allen key (usually 5mm) | Designer radiators |
| Hand-bleed | No tool (twist by hand) | Some modern radiators |
What You Get
🔧 The Service
- Right key/tool for your radiators
- Demonstrated how to bleed properly
- System pressure check explained
- When to bleed, how often
📦 Keys Provided
- Universal radiator key (or correct tool)
- Spare key left in obvious place
- Usually £1-2 hardware shop keys
- I bulk-buy them, leave spares
✅ DIY Confidence
- Know which direction to turn
- Recognize hissing air vs water
- Understand pressure gauge
- Do your own bleeding from now on
Pricing
| Job | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Key provision + demonstration | 5 mins + demo | £60 |
| Key + bleed all radiators | 30-60 mins | £60-£85 |
Based on £60 minimum callout. Makes sense to bleed all your radiators while I'm there demonstrating anyway.
What I Actually Do
Most people booking this service aren't just getting a key. They're getting:
- Diagnosis - figure out which tool you need
- Demonstration - bleed one radiator while explaining
- Full service - bleed all radiators while I'm there
- Education - show you pressure gauge, explain system
- Supplies - leave spare keys, peace of mind
It's a radiator service + DIY training, disguised as "radiator key provision."
Perfect For...
✅ New homeowners - never bled radiators before
✅ Lost the key - have no idea where it went
✅ Elderly help - want to learn but need guidance
✅ DIY confidence - want to maintain own heating
Why Choose Us for Radiator key provision in Exeter?
Right key for your radiators
Shown how to bleed properly
Spare keys left with you
DIY radiator maintenance
What to Expect
Step 1: Identify Valves
Check what type of bleed valves your radiators have, provide the right tool.
Step 2: Demonstration
Bleed one radiator while you watch - show you the process, explain what to listen for, when to stop.
Step 3: Practical Learning
You have a go on another radiator (supervised), get the technique right, ask questions.
Step 4: Full Service
While I'm there, bleed all your radiators properly, check system pressure, explain maintenance schedule.
🔧 DIY Tips
Once you've got the key and know-how, bleeding radiators is simple:
🔧 What you'll need
- Radiator key
- Old towel or cloth
- Small container (catch any water)
- Boiler instruction manual (for pressure check)
🔨 How to bleed a radiator
- Turn heating on - let radiators warm up (makes air rise)
- Turn heating off - wait 10 mins for water to cool
- Find bleed valve - small square socket, top corner of radiator
- Place towel below - catch drips
- Insert key - onto square valve
- Turn anticlockwise - just half a turn, slowly
- Listen for hissing - that's air escaping
- Wait for water - when water dribbles out, air is gone
- Close valve - turn clockwise, don't over-tighten
- Check pressure - boiler gauge should be 1-1.5 bar
- Top up if needed - use filling loop on boiler
- Test - heating back on, radiator should be fully hot
⚠️ Common DIY fears (all fine)
- "What if water sprays out?" - It won't if you turn slowly
- "What if I can't close it?" - Valves always close, don't panic
- "What if I over-tighten?" - You'd have to try hard to damage it
💡 Pro trick: Bleed radiators once a year before winter starts. Part of basic home maintenance, like checking smoke alarms. Keeps heating efficient, bills down.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏠 Landlords: Leave a radiator key attached to the boiler with a label. Tenants can bleed radiators themselves, fewer maintenance callouts for you, happier tenants with working heating.
Where to buy keys: Any hardware shop, Screwfix, B&Q, Wilko - £1. Buy two, leave one attached to boiler. Probably the best £1 you'll spend on home maintenance.
Modern radiators: Some designer radiators deliberately don't use standard valves (aesthetics). Check your specific model - might need hex key or special tool from manufacturer.
After bleeding: Always check boiler pressure. Bleeding removes water from system, pressure drops. If it's below 1 bar, top up using filling loop. Your boiler manual shows how.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't I just buy a radiator key from a shop?
Yes - they're £1 from any hardware shop or DIY store. But if you're not sure which size you need, don't know how to use it, or want someone to do the first bleed and show you properly, that's what this service is for.
What if my radiators have unusual valves?
Some older radiators or designer models use different bleed valves - square drives, flathead screwdriver slots, hex keys. I'll identify what you've got and provide the right tool, plus show you how to use it.
Will you show me how to bleed the radiators myself?
Absolutely - that's half the point. I bleed one or two to demonstrate, explain how to tell when air is out, show you the boiler pressure gauge, leave you confident to do it yourself in future.
Why would I pay someone to give me a £1 tool?
You're paying for the knowledge - which key to buy, how to use it, what can go wrong, how to refill the system after, peace of mind from having someone show you properly. Plus I bleed your radiators while I'm there anyway.
Do I need to be home or can you just post a key through?
Need to be home - I demonstrate how to bleed radiators, show you the system pressure gauge, explain what to watch out for. Not just a key delivery service.
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