How To Avoid Corrosion In Aluminium Radiators

Keeping a warm home during the winter can be hard, especially after you’ve not really used your central heating during the warmer months. It can be tricky trying to find the right balance of heat and the ideal times to switch it on so you can come home to a toasty house. Making use of different style radiators can be one good way to do this. For instance, you could have a small towel rail in the bathroom and large vertical radiators in the living room and bedroom. Having the right radiators for the job can make the world of a difference, especially if you have aluminium ones. As excellent conductors of heat, they emit plenty of warmth in a short space of time. However, like all radiators, they do need maintenance. Keep reading to find out how you can prolong your aluminium radiator’s life and avoid corrosion.

Steel VS Aluminium

Generally, radiators are made from steel, but this material is prone to rust making them difficult to maintain. However, aluminium differs from steel in the fact that it is a reactive metal. This means the oxidisation that causes rust only happens when it comes into contact with oxygen. For this reason, aluminium radiators are always coated in special paint to protect the metal from rust. Over time, small parts of the paint may chip away, exposing the aluminium itself. This then causes a layer of aluminium oxide to form over the top which actually protects the radiator. 

Galvanic Corrosion

Although aluminium isn’t subject to the usual corrosion that steel ones face, it’s still affected by something called galvanic corrosion. This is when you have two different metals are in contact with a single liquid. When this happens, one metal becomes the anode and the other becomes the cathode. The liquid then becomes an electrolyte which causes a galvanic cell to form. These cells can then turn into corrosion. If left untreated, the radiator can become less efficient or stop working altogether as the aluminium becomes depleted. Most central heating systems have lots of different metals incorporated into them, so it’s something that you definitely need to be aware of. 

Preventing Galvanic Corrosion

If you want to ensure the longevity of your aluminium radiator, then you need to take proper precautions. Most experts recommend using an inhibitor which is a liquid added to your heating system and helps reduce galvanic cells from being produced. Some aluminium radiators will state that you have to use an inhibitor in the warranty, so it’s crucial you adhere to this if you want any claims to be valid. It’s always best to seek the advice of an expert when it comes to feeding the inhibitor into your radiator as you don’t want to assume and end up breaking your whole heating system. 

Corrosion is sometimes unavoidable, and it can wreak havoc on your central heating. However, if you follow maintenance guidance from the radiator’s manufacturers, you’ll be able to do your best to reduce the risk of it happening. Don’t leave it too late and make sure you regularly check up on your aluminium radiators so you can always have a lovely, warm home.