Radiator problems, advice required

Anthony_MK

Hi, I live in a new build house and we are right at the end of the period where the builders will fix snags and any problems we flag to them. Just recently one of our downstairs radiators has started to make quite loud, prolonged (5 mins I guess) banging/tapping sounds when the heating comes on, which didn't happen last winter or at all over the autumn. We called the builder out and he said it was just the pipe expanding and because the pipe was in the wall there was nothing he can do. I think it is the radiator itself that has the problem, we recently removed some air from it and the noise is now louder and more prolonged (cant think of a different word!)!

I am after advice, before I go back to the builder and ask for a 2nd look, or worse, before I spend money on a 2nd opinion!

Avoriaz

Don’t let the builder bluff his way out of this. If the problem is caused by the pipe expanding and contracting in the wall then it has been installed badly. The plumber or c/h installer should have sleeved the pipe at any point where expansion and contraction might cause friction and noise problems. I’m no expert but I think there are various ways of doing this, usually involving wrapping cloth or low friction material around the pipe where it goes through walls, floor timbers etc.

If the radiator or something else is causing it, the builder still has a responsibility to sort it out unless you have changed or altered something.

Good luck

alanobrien

Simply put a correctly fitted and commissioned system will not make that kind of noise.

Get them back in to fix it and don't take any nonsense from them.

rgee_2

Sounds like a problem we have - thermostatic valves fitted the wrong way round. Some work either way, some have a kind of toggle that can be flipped round to set the direction, and some only work one way and have to be removed and refitted.

I agree with the others, don't let the builders off - once you've raised the issue with them the snagging time limit shouldn't apply, they can't just delay and then walk away!

rgee_2

Sorry, meant to say - when the noise is happening you can confirm this by opening (turning the setting up) on the valve to see if it stops the noise.

alanobrien

rgee wrote:

Sounds like a problem we have - thermostatic valves fitted the wrong way round. Some work either way, some have a kind of toggle that can be flipped round to set the direction, and some only work one way and have to be removed and refitted.

I agree with the others, don't let the builders off - once you've raised the issue with them the snagging time limit shouldn't apply, they can't just delay and then walk away!

Could be but also likely that they have not cut clearance holes around pipes big enough or fitted them to close to joists etc. That leads to a hell of a rachet once they start to expand and strain against the wood. We had a similar problem with laminate flooring.