Front Page Forum: Clanging Radiators
We’re a little groggy this morning because the entire family was up half the night enduring the incredibly loud banging sounds emanating from our radiators. Literally, whenever the heat kicks in and the radiators are heating back up, it sounds like someone is hitting the radiators with a tire iron five or six times. Our…
We’re a little groggy this morning because the entire family was up half the night enduring the incredibly loud banging sounds emanating from our radiators. Literally, whenever the heat kicks in and the radiators are heating back up, it sounds like someone is hitting the radiators with a tire iron five or six times. Our GC hasn’t been able to fix it so we’re thinking it’s time to call in an expert. Anyone got a recommendation?
WE SHOULD START A CLUB FOR RECOVERING RADIATOR ABUSE. SPENDING THE NIGHT IN MY HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME POST RECONNECT OF A RADIATOR THAT HAD BEEN DISCONNECTING FROM THE PREVIOUS TENANT… SHE BANGS! SHE BANGS! FUNNY THING IS THERE SERVICE GUY DID THE RECONNECT FOR THIS PARTICULAR RADIATOR ( BEDROOM OF COURSE!) ND BEFORE THE WINTER CHILL ALL WAS QUIET. I TOO LOOK FORWARD TO PICKING UP THIS BOOK, MAYBE WE CAN ALL GET THE SLEEP WE DESERVE. BY NY STANDARDS THAT SHOULD BE 5 HRS ( SMILEZZZZZZZZZZ)
I had the problem bad, and got it fixed for less than $200, after many “experts” said it would cost big bucks. Besides what people said about pitch of the radiators and the right valves, another important element is making sure the boiling water is clean (no “surging”)… This can be taken care with a special cleaner that you put in the boiler…that did the trick for me. even though I was draining the boiler periodically, it didn’t get clean enough until I did that. The plumber I used was Joe at AAL Inc, older guy, hopefully still in business.
hey brownstoner . i emailed you my cel ## . gimme a call . after 12 yrs of buying and selling buildings , i know all about banging . i delt with the same problem last winter . it’s not as bad as you think
I also recommend the Dan Halohan books. His website is http://www.heatinghelp.com. There’s a terrific forum there.
Brownstoner, I’m sure I posted on this subject here not very long ago.
First check that your radiators are pitched toward the supply valve. If they’re not, use shims under the low side so the condensed water drains back toward the supply valve. If you still have problems, see the post above about pipes that have settled and are pitched the wrong way. The condensed water is supposed to be able to drain back to boiler through the same pipes the steam came up in.
When I found the problem in a pipe in my basement, I hired a plumber to repitch the pipe. He charged me $400. The noise is gone. The heating specialists I had come and look made estimates in the thousands.
You may have a simple problem that can be solved for thousands of dollars too. Educate yourself so you can discriminate between the knuckleheads and right guy to do the job.
brownstoner, please tell me what you end of doing (and paying) as I have the same issue at my house. Everyone else, can you tell me what you ended up paying? I’ve bought and read the book, and I still think it’s going to cost me thousands to stop the water hammer in my pipes.
If the radiators themselves are banging, make sure that the radiator knobs are all the way “open” or all the way “closed”. Anything in the middle can cause the banging, as steam and water try to share a smaller space going in and out of the radiator. . .
I also recommend reading the Holohan book. We still have two occasional banging areas that we’re trying to pinpoint, but no more hissing radiators, banging pipes and cold rooms.
The book is great at helping understand the steam systems. Once you understand the steam, everything else seems to make a lot more sense. It’s amazing what a difference a new $10 radiator vent can make.
We just had John (aka Master Pvmber) from Gateway Plumbing over to look at our hot-water system (which knocks occasionally as well). His company seems on point although we haven’t had any work done yet, and John’s posts on brownstoner are always helpful. Check them out at gatewayplumbing.com.
Keyspan can actually be very helpful. You may want to think about initiating a service contract with them.