Radiators making a noise?

kazzagrezza

Can somebody please help?

Some of my radiators are hissing and whistling - does anybody know why this is and what do I do to stop it? We changed our combi boiler and a few rads two years old if this makes any difference.
Many thanks in advance.

Lorian

Have you tried bleeding the air out of them?

Might not help, but it's the first thing to try.

Nile

Hello kazzagrezza

Welcome to the MSE site.:wave:


We have some expert contributors to this board, I'm sure someone will answer your question shortly.

Kind Regards

Nile

uncle_buck_3

Does the hissing and whistling happen all of the time or only now & then?
Do your radiators have thermostatic valves fitted as these can cause radiators to make a hissing type noise as they close off when the room temprature get to whatever the valve is set at!

kazzagrezza

Hi Uncle Buck - yes they do have thermostats on them and when I turn them down the noise disappears but it returns after a short while! Would I need to get a plumber to sort this out perhpas?

uncle_buck_3

It sounds like the noise you are experiencing is coming from the Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRV’s)
The noise is caused by the water going through the valve when the valve is almost closed (switching off) When you turn down the valve you are in effect completely closing the valve….so the noise stops…..after a while the noise will start again ….this is because the room temperature will have dropped so the valve is starting to open again.

Every TRV will make some noise, no matter how slight as it is just closing off but the noise you are describing sounds excessive.
As a general rule of thumb the more expensive valves are the quietest & you can expect noise with cheap valves!
I’m sure one of the plumbing experts that frequent the board will advise a “favourite” brand of valve based on reliability & experience.

To cure the noise the TRV’s will have to be changed….so yes it’s probably a job for a plumber unless you’re a handy type or know someone who is!

HTH