Banging Radiator
I’ve read the previous post on water hammering causes however, my landlord insists that the boiler is inactive during some of the times that I’ve indicated the horrible banging and that it’s impossible for water hammering to happen between cycles. Is it true that a boiler is actually “inactive” for periods of time once turned…
I’ve read the previous post on water hammering causes however, my landlord insists that the boiler is inactive during some of the times that I’ve indicated the horrible banging and that it’s impossible for water hammering to happen between cycles.
Is it true that a boiler is actually “inactive” for periods of time once turned on for the winter or does it still “do something” between heating cycles?
More importantly, what is causing the water hammering between heating cycles? Is it possible for this to happen when the boiler is not in a heating cycle?
Can’t say what’s normal, but have experienced steam pipe banging at night when system was not in heating mode.
Or you can take it from a guy whose been educating himself on the subject for 25 years: banging noises in a steam heating system come from steam meeting standing water and nothing else. Water pools in sagging and back-pitched horizontal pipes and radiators.
Standing water and radiator vent sizes have nothing to do with each other.
And that pamphlet, or chart, distributed by Gorton is good for two things:
1. venting the pipes in the make-believe house in the picture
2. getting you to buy more air vents.
Me:
http://www.GatewayPlumbing.com
Take it from me: First thing to do when your steam system is bangin’, and which lots of plumbers don’t seem to grasp: Make sure you have the right size vents on each radiator, each floor. They cost $8 apiece at Kevin & Richard plumbing supply on Park Ave in Bed-Stuy. YOu have to have smaller vents (say, MaidMist #4) in the ground-floor room where your thermostat is, #5s in the other rooms on that floor, #6s on the next floor up, and Ds on the highest floor. This is what keeps your pressure balanced, which is what keeps your gas bills down and your system from clanking, hissing, spitting, and leaking onto your wood floors. They have a pamphlet at the hardware store that explains it.
Thank you all for your help. Looks like I have some detective work to do!
Next time you hear the noise, walk over to the radiator and put your hand on it. If it’s hot (or gets hot a few minute later), the landlord is lying (or doesn’t understand his heat control system).
Sounds like your landlord is making up stories. How could the boiler be completely off between 9 and 2?
LOL SteamMan….isn’t that steamheat 201?
How would the LL now the boiler didn’t fire btw 9 & 2?
i have this problem in my bedroom. i wasnt aware it was a problem though. it’s usually at night clink clink clink, it doesnt bother me, was just curious what it was. i assumed it was maybe because i turned the radiator off by 1/2? it’s get too warm when the heat is on. is tht bad to do btw?
*rob*