noisy pipes

My pipes are banging when the heat goes on, and in the middle of the night. . . Recommendations for steam heat specialist to inspect would be appreciated.

kiki

in Heating 12 years and 7 months ago

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janeteditor | 11 years and 5 months ago

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Master Plvmber, We also have loud banging in some of our radiators and a top floor radiator that just barely gets warm, whereas other radiators are hot. We need someone to come look at our heating system and assess what can be done to fix it. Are you available to do such a thing? How would I contact you of list? Thanks, Janet

chrissie | 12 years and 7 months ago

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Obviously masterplumber is spot on. I’ve had several problems like this in different homes and all were resolved per masterpumber’s advice. You actually don’t need a handyman; it’s quite simple. 1.) MAKE SURE THE SYSTEM IS OFF AND COLD. 2.) loosen the union (the large nut near the shut-off valve which comes from the floor) 3.) get some wood shims -or anything that will raise that end of the radiator slightly; even coins, washers, etc on each of the 2 legs opposite the valve) 4.) check the pitch with a level so that there is a slight downward slope TOWARD the floor valve 5.) re-tighten the union and re-start the system

gardenchill | 12 years and 7 months ago

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Nothing helped my clanging pipes. I had it drained, twice! It was pitched too and nothing helped. I finally just turned off the heat in the bedroom. It’s going to be terrible once it gets really cold, but short of taking the radiator out, I’m going to try and live with it.

Master Plvmber | 12 years and 7 months ago

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Banging pipes In a steam heating system are caused by nothing other than steam meeting standing water and that only happens in horizontal pipes and radiators. Everything should be pitched to allow the pipes to drain back to the basement. Armed with that knowledge, shim up your radiators on the side opposite of the shut-off valve and make sure your main piping runs in the basement start high at the boiler and slope lower as they travel toward the ends of the house. Aside from that, excessive steam pressure and clogged return piping can cause water to rise up into the steam’s path. Those aren’t usually DIY things.

bedstuytownhouse | 12 years and 7 months ago

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We had the exact same problem and just emptied a bunch of water from the boiler which solved the problem.