Water Hammer

Jim Pompetti

has it been since you skimmed the boiler.

scott k_3

\"NEW\" water hammer

Have a single pipe steam system which untill about a week ago had been running quite quietly. The hammer usually happens early AM when the thermostat comes of night setback. Had some hammering before, insulated the pipes and shimmed a few radiators which made it nearly silent, but now its back. Could the warmer weather (ie pipes cool longer) or a "moving" house (settleing?) have an effect?
Thanks for the help

Steamhead (in transit)

Maybe

the return lines are plugging up?

"Steamhead"

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scott k_3

Return lines? thought in single pipe the returns were the mains-or is it the mains are the returns?

Steamhead (in transit)

In most one-pipe systems

the mains pitch down from the boiler and are drained into wet (below the waterline) or dry (above the waterline) return lines. If these returns clog, water will back up into the mains and cause banging.

The exception is the "counterflow" system where the mains pitch up from the boiler- these should be drained so the water doesn't fall back into the steam space of the boiler.

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