Bleeding radiators

SatanicHare

Can someone xplain the most effective way to remove air from my central heating system, everytime the heating kicks in there is a loud prolonged ticking sound which lasts for around 15 - 20 secs, it seems to come from the front bed and /or bathroom, the rad in my back bed clicks constantly as if it's expanding as it heats up, most of the noise stops when the boiler goes off. Boiler is a Worcester Bosch greenstar 30si, fitted in May, previously had a Vokera wich presented similar problems before it died and was replaced. I've tried opening the bleed valves on the rads, and some air has escaped from the bath rad, but the noise persists. Advice welcome as the noise wakes me up in the morning and is starting to really annoy. :mad:

moneysavingplumber

Ticking is usually due to either the radiator expanding in the bracket (especially with alot of round top radiators where there isn't a plastic insert supplied) or it may be where copper pipe work is laid straight into a notched joist with nothing wrapped around it to deaden it. If you had air pockets in the system then the tops of the radiators would be cold, if they're not and the pressure gauge on the boiler is reading between 1 and 1.5 bar when cold then the system won't need bleeding or topping up.

SatanicHare

Thanks for that, the rads are all warm, I take it there is no simple fix that does not involve lifting the floor

ariba10

It is probably the sound of the copper tubes expanding and contacting as the system temperature alters.

It is usually where the tubes run under the floorboards and rub against the joists or pipe clips.

SatanicHare

Yeah, think you're right, was reading some stuff i'd googled and they all said pretty much the same thing, next time i'm decorating i'll get the floor up and see what can be done, til then i'll have to live with it