Noisy Steam Heating System

Hi, We are having an issue with banging in the steam heating system. When boiler kicks on there is loud banging for about 5 minutes. Plumber wants to charge $500 to clean boiler & check system. Any pipe repairs will cost extra.
This seems very expensive to me and would appreciate advice. Thanks

makainyc

in General Discussion 9 years and 5 months ago

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cmu | 9 years and 5 months ago

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http://cooperator.com/article/fixing-a-noisy-steam-pipe/full#cut
Good read.

If the sound is very intermittent and only as the heat turns on or off, could be expanding/contracting pipes that bind as they go through walls (I have this issue, its more of a loud click/thump every minute or so rather than a bang.)

soundhoner | 9 years and 5 months ago

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I experienced this and this is what I learned:

— $500 is a normal price to pay, assuming you trust the plumber. Finding a reliable, competent, trustworthy plumber is more important. If he inspects, cleans, does maintenance on the boiler, runs the system and inspects the heating of the various radiators, trying to troubleshoot the issue then that is not a terrible price to pay.
— My experience – personal recommendations are better than what I found on Yelp and places like that. I spent $800 to crooks once, who actually broke some safety mechanisms of my boiler (the pressuretrol specifically) and did nothing to improve the system, they even tried to charge me more. I was sure to correct the ‘nice’ Yelp review so it was lower.
— Banging is an extremely common problem. One cause is when the pitching is off on the return pipes, due to settling of the house/floors for example. The pitching needs to be such that the steam can travel up, and the condensed water can travel back down. If they bump into each other it’ll make popping sounds. This can also be caused b y sediment due to long-term corrosion of the pipes. This sometimes requires replacing pipes.
— A much more minor cause can be valves which are half open. Either fully close them, or fully open them, always.
— Note that the banging may sound like it’s coming from place A, but it might actually be occurring two floors away in place B, but due to the noise dynamics it can be confusing.

I had this problem, and it turned out to be due to some very old return pipes not having been set up correctly: when they converted the boiler from oil to gas long before I bought the place, they still had some old piping that was a place for sediment to collect. I also had a corroded line needing to be replaced. Once that was resolved, the system ran really beautifully, and heated quickly. I get a little banging but it’s only in one room and it’s minor.

Hope this helps!

resident2 | 9 years and 5 months ago

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$500.00 for an evaluation of your whole system is not a bad price in itself, but that said all property owners need to find a good local boiler/plumber and have a long term relationship with them, not look for anonymous referrals each time you have a problem.
You have a dog, you get a local vet, you have a child you have a regular pediatrician. Think of your house the same way…. you need a plumber that knows your house and your system to look after it properly. Look local.

Master Plvmber | 9 years and 5 months ago

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“Loud banging” in the beginning of a steam heating cycle happens for different reasons than when the banging occurs later. The problem is not at the boiler. That I guarantee you. I charge a lot more than $500 for a complete evaluation and written report of a steam heating system, but I’m not there to sell you anything other than the information I give you.
You would be well advised to find out if your plumber has a history of specializing in steam heat, and understand that time in the field of “plumbing & heating” doesn’t make him a specialist.

eman134 | 9 years and 5 months ago

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Is your boiler overfilled? If not, it sounds like condensate is remaining in the line so it bangs as the steam pushes the condensate forward when the steam cycle begins. Pretty much every plumber charges $250 to walk in the door, so $500 is within reason if they are draining the entire system, not just the boiler

EJR | 9 years and 5 months ago

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did you try draining the boiler? That always does the trick for mine.