Hot-water gas boiler making loud (hammering) noises

teepoo

Hi All,

Whenever my hot water boiler turns on, loud hammering noises can be heard coming from the pipes.

Can anyone suggest what might be wrong?

I noticed this a couple of days ago and making the stop-ccok completely open seemed to solve the problem. By now the noises have come back and I have turned off the hot water for fear of damaging the pipes.

It almost sounds as there is air in the pipes...

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Pete.

gasmanmartin

sounds like it could be a blockage somewhere. make sure all your radiator valves are fully open and if the noise persists you will need a heating engineer to have a look

Wherryman

What type and make of boiler is it, and about how old?

Nobleck

sounds like air in the system.

Canucklehead

Hi

Does it happen with one tap or all the hot taps?

Corgi Guy.

teepoo

The gas boiler is a glow worm economy plus.

Soon after the flame starts heating the pipes the banging/ball-bearing noise starts.

It seems that the pipes entering and leaving the gas boiler are responsible for the noise.

It only happens when the gas boiler turns on. It does not happen with I turn the actual hot/cold taps on.

With regards to to radiator valves - isn't that part of the central heating system and separate from the hot water system (excuse my ignorance if they are related).

You can see a picture of my system here:
http://bp3.blogger.com/_6jKgSIpXSlM/RrOJuFD2h6I/AAAAAAAAAAM/fN8rcCCo6C8/s1600-h/DSC00106.JPG

Canucklehead

Hi

Possible pump failure.Water isn't being moved through the boiler fast enough so it boils.
Corgi Guy.

teepoo

I am assuming that the pump is the one beside the hot water cylinder?

Is there anyway that I can test that the pump is working or not?

I assume it should turn on when the hot water is programmed to go on... or is there another way to test it in isolation?

Thanks.
Pete.

gasmanmartin

yep suspect pump or blockage

If its only when the boiler is on and not when running taps i wouldn't think air is the problem