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?
Radiator noise is absolutely avoidable. The trick is simply to pitch and vent the radiators and pipes properly. All of these reco’s for Dan Holohan are correct. Buy the book. If you have the time, you can do most of the work yourself- pitching and venting Rads that is, Piping issues and Boiler issues belong to the pros. But you need to find somebody that knows Steam systems. We have had good experience with Gateway Plumbing and Heating. The first few months of last winter in our new home were filled with bangs and hisses. After reading the book and doing a little independant research, my system is almost totally quiet. Good luck.
a follow up on my last post about Dan Holohan. he was a consultant for the city in the 80’s when they discovered that steam heat was the best way to heat all the new projects developments in the city so you know he’s got to be good. there is a link on his site to help you find heating professionals in our area but i think it would be worth a call to him. i read his book and then later called one company and they were a pain in the butt, plus i knew almost more than the guys who came, i just didn’t have hands on experience.
when I had this problem, changing the valves was all it took…it’s the first (very inexpensive) step.
there’s more information in a recent Forum posting…
buy this book: “We Got Steam Heat, A homeowners Guide to Peaceful Coexistence” by Dan Holohan. he is the god of steam heat. also check this (i think it’s his website), http://www.heatinghelp.com
in steam heat everything is important, including the pitch of the pipes and whether or not certain pipes are insulated. if you changed any of the pipe locations, tore off insulation (even added insulation) and/ or moved around the radiators then that is why you have your problems. the noise is from drops of water made from waves inside the pipes which are then propelled at high speed towards the first right angle which they hit and make a noise (this happens when pipes are not pitched properly in single pipe systems). another way for the noise to happen is when the waves actually become so big that they crest into the top of the pipe making a bubble (two waves with quickly condensing steam in the middle) which becomes a vaccum which results in a sudden bubble of air that implodes. bottom line is that water droplets are making these loud noises in your steam system.
anyway, this guy Dan can be called for consultation i think and he is the boss when it comes to steam heat. also try this phone number: 800-853-8882
I have the same problem, but the pipes only knock if the thermostat is set above 65. (This works okay for me — keep it at 64 when sleeping under blankets; let it knock like crazy in the day). You might want to play around with your thermostat to see if there’s a turning point. Or you could get a plumber to fix it.
This is a very common problem and typically has to do with the condensed water going back to the boiler fighting the steam coming from the boiler.
It may be that some of the pipes are not pitched correctly allowing the condensate to accumulate. This can happen over time with settling but may have been exacerbated by the renovation work you had done.
Call a plumber that specializes in heating systems and they should be able to help you out. It may be as simple as proping up one end of a radiator or two.
A good plumber can usually fix this problem. Don’t despair I suspect it is an easy and inexpensive fix.
Had the same problem this morning in our 1920’s townhouse in Forest Hills. (I know, not a Brooklyn Brownstone!) Also discoverd a slight leak from one of the radiators doing damage to the wood floor. In need of same advise/help.
As someone who has lived, and still lives in old homes, my advice is to buy earplugs.