How to Bleed a Baseboard Heater in a Burnham System

Burnham baseboard heaters connect to pipes that heat individual rooms via warm water circulating through the system. Like other types of water-based pipe heaters, Burnham baseboard units use a valve built into the side to release air trapped in the system. This process is known as bleeding. If the heater makes odd noises while operating, there may be air trapped inside. Bleeding a Burnham baseboard heater takes only a few minutes to do.

Things You'll Need

• Old towels
• Metal pan
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Work gloves

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Place old towels on the floor under the bleed valve -- the short tube with a screw control near the bottom of the heater. Set a metal pan on the towel to catch any water produced by bleeding the system.

   • 2

     Put on work gloves. Twist the screw on the bleed valve slowly counterclockwise to release the trapped air. The valve may make prolonged hissing or popping sounds.

   • 3

     Turn the valve screw clockwise until tight once the noises stop and water drips steadily from the valve.