extreeme noise in all radiators when boiler firing

Maine Ken

Independance is gas.

<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=346&Step=30">To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"</A>

Antoinette Sandonato

extreeme noise in all radiators when boiler firing

Hello,
I had an old boiler replaced with a Burnham Indepennce boiler model PIN4SNI-He2. Also the boiler was moved from directly in front of the chimney to 6 ft to the right of it requiring new piping set up. Since then, not only do I have the same old steam heat noises as before this job was done,i.e. hissing, knocking, banging, but I have a strange new noise that I hear in all my radiators within a minute of the boiler firing when the thermostat calls for heat. The noise sounds like a tinny high velocity noise similar to what one might hear in a room below a bathroom when a shower is running. This noise lasts 8 to 10 minutes the duration of the boiler firing/running. I read Dan's book and it does not cover this noise. What I do know is that the plumber who did the installation would not agree to skim the boiler even at the suggestion that I would pay extra. Also,the only thing that in my limited understanding is obvioulsy wrong with the piping is that the header pipe is not 24" above the waterline or center line of the gauge as specified in the installation manual and Dan's books. It is 6" too short. However, he replaced another boiler for another apartment of the same house, piped it the same way and this stange noise does not occur or I should say, it's barely audible. However, he did not move this boiler from in front of the chimney so less new piping was required. I tried to seek help from the manufacturer, but they refuse to talk to me saying they will only deal with the contractor. Even thought I simply wanted to know specifically what kind of noise are they referring to in the manual notice that states " Failure to pipe boiler as specified in this manual may result in excessive system noise".
Does anyone out there have any idea what could be causing this noise? Also, I need a contractor in my area of Medford, Massachusetts, who is an expert in steam heat that will solve this problem for me. Any referrals? Please help... I really need it. Thank you.

Jamie Hall

This will sound weird, but...

I presume this is an oil-fired unit? Check and be sure that the oil feed lines to the burner are not touching any of the steam pipes ANYWHERE (sorry to shout). And I do mean anywhere. If they touch -- anywhere -- a steam or water line, the high pitched noise from the oil pump in the oil burner will connect to the steam lines, which connect to the radiators.

And drive you bats.

Don't ask me how I know...

ed wallace

noise

please post pictures of the boiler if you could

Daniel_3

Hello Antionette,
I also have a Burnham Indepedance which has the same effect. This I believe will not be specific to just one boiler manufacturer. If I would venture to guess you may have the sound caused by water at a certain temp being heated up with a very hot flame. This same thing happens when I heat up water in my electric kettle for tea, etc. Somehow the water makes a rushing noise when the flame first licks the "pot". After about 3-5 minutes when the water begins to boil the noise goes away. To me this is quite normal. It happens depending on the timing of the cycles and temp of the water and not all the time. I wouldn't call it extreme, but then again these things are highly subjective.

Cast Iron

Dear Antionette,
I have an Independance as well that does the same thing. During the first 2 minutes of firing, there is a 'rain' like noise that occurs, similar to what Daniel suggested I think it's the water coming up to temperature and beginning to boil. I can hear it throughout the house, which is kind of nice since it tells me the heat is coming on. I have heard the same thing on my stovetop when boiling a closed pot of water. After it warms up the noise goes away and the system is quiet as a mouse, thankfully.

SusanC

Just a homeowner who's heard lots of noises. The originally described tinny noise sounds different from the rain noise. The rain noise, if like raindrops (thankfully not "falling on my head,") sounds like condensation when the first-generated steam condenses in relatively cold pipes. That's what I've always thought my short-lived raindrops are. If the pipes are already hot due to a recent heating cycle, no raindrops, which reinforces my suspicion.

Might the originally described tinny noise be air exiting radiator vents? (I'm a lot less convinced of that than "raindrop" cause and effect.) Would you still hear the noise if the boiler ran 30 mins.? It must sometimes run that long.

JACQ

Antoinette was the old boiler giving problems or you just wanted a new one, the noises and hissing you are hearing may have been there all along,the newer more efficient boiler is just making you more aware of it. Have the piping check out.