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What Are Bleed Plugs?

Bleed plugs are found in machinery, such as in cars, radiators, boilers or other objects. It is an important component that works in conjunction with the bleed valve. However, you might have also come across a bleed plug in a pharmacy, since it is also a term used to describe a medical product to help stop a nose bleed. These two types of bleed plugs cannot be substituted for one another; they only coincidentally share the same name.

  1. Industrial Bleed Plug Identification

    • A bleed plug is small and has the appearance of a short, stumpy screw with its nut screwed on. Depending on the fittings of the object the bleed plug is screwed into, the valve varies in size and exact shape. As a guide, the standard sizes available are 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch. The bleed plug differs from a screw because it has a nodule on top of its head, and a two or three small holes piercing it horizontally. It might or might not have threading around the trunk of its body, but is likely to have a hexagonal-shaped head.

    Air Bleeder Valve

    • An air bleeder valve is a component of a heating system. When the valve is opened, the bleed plug is removed to allow hot air to escape. You might need to do this if you hear a gurgling sound in your heating system. The sound indicates a buildup of hot air that is unable to escape or circulate. Knowing where the bleeder valve and bleed plug are located is important so you can control it, or a pipe might burst, with serious consequences.

    Radiators

    • A radiator is likely to have a bleed plug valve, located at the plumbing joint between the actual radiator and the piping. This allows you to twist the valve and release the bleed plug in order to force hot water through the pipes. The water fills the space that expanding hot air is taking up, and consequently forces it out of the heating system. If you do not do this, the heating system can stop working properly, and it will continue to make gurgling sounds.

    Nose Bleed Plugs

    • A nose bleed plug does not have anything in common with the industrial bleed plugs discussed, although you might come across it in a pharmacy. The nose bleed plug is a small white column of white cotton, approximately the same width as a nostril, and consists of fibers. The bleed plug is inserted up a nostril to absorb excess blood from a nose bleed. A boxer might have a supply of nose bleed plugs at hand to prevent blood dripping from his nose during a fight.

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