Identify This Annoying Sound

Jimmbo

My radiator is making a godawful racket every time the heat comes up. Can anyone figure out what's going on? It's an older house, so there are various random steam sounds, but none as persistent as this one. <a href="http://www.hark.com/clips/lcfjjfygkg-steam-sounds">Listen Here</a> (give it about 15 secs to load).



In the attached photo of the culprit, the valve at lower right was installed a few months ago, so it's pretty new.



Thanks for any help. This radiator's right next to the desk I try to write at. Argh......

Jamie Hall

Got kind of a nice jazzy beat...

but you need some strings or horns in there...



More seriously, did it do this before the valve was in there?  It doesn't sound like a classic hammer, nor like a classic expansion noise, but if one knew it was related in some way to the valve... is the valve open all the way?

Jimmbo

An Elvin Jones Gig That Never Ends

Yeah, it's got sort of an Elvin Jones polyrhythmic vibe. But the problem is I can't turn the record off. Like...ever.



SHOULD the valve be open all the way? I'm afraid to touch it. Because I am an idiot. And idiots learn not to touch stuff like valves unless explicitly directed.

Rod

Steam Collapsing

Hi-  The noise you are hearing is steam collapsing when it comes in contact with cooler water. The valve needs to be fully open  (turn counterclock wise) otherwise the incoming steam and outgoing condensate (water) collide.  Also check the slope of the radiator with a carpenter's bubble level.  It should be slightly sloped towards the intake valve. I use quarters ($0.25) under the radiator's feet at the opposite end from the valve to raise and slope the radiator. It just has to be enough slope to "encourage" the condensate to flow out of the radiator . Too much slope can cause problems.  Try opening the valve all the way and making sure the radiator is sloped and let us know how that works out.

- Rod

Jimmbo

Steamed Me

Thanks. It was half open. If I recall, the thinking was that this is an awfully small room, and my desk is right near the radiator. Which I guess was smart thinking, because the temperature in the room is always about right. But.....then there's the noise!



But I just did open it all the way. I'll see how that goes....and will also check slope a little later and report back.



Thanks again!

Rod

TRVs

Hi-  If you have a problem with the room being too warm you can install what is know as a TRV (Thermostatic Radiator Valve) on the radiator. On a one pipe steam system the TRV goes between the radiator and the radiator vent. It can be set to the temperature you desire and will stop the radiator from overheating the room,  Here's a link with some information on it -      http://www.heatinghelp.com/files/posts/8569/TRVs.pdf

- Rod

Jimmbo

Thanks!

Thanks! What an awesome forum! You guys are fantastic!



I can feel my migraine reducing already.....

Jimmbo

Radiator Covers

One follow-up. Do big boxy wooden decorative radiator covers present any problems? I generally pull them a few inches out in winter to let the heat out. But I'm planning on leaving this one flush with the wall because, with the valve fully open, heat shouldn't be a problem in this room. Is there any downside to that?

Rod

Book on Steam Heating

The cover shouldn't be a problem as long as you're getting enough heat in the room.



if you're new to steam,  you might want to check out the "Shop" section of this website as there are a lot of good books there on residential steam heating. I'd recommend  a book called "We Got Steam Heat!" 

http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Steam-Heating-Books/25/61/We-Got-Steam-Heat-A-Homeowners-Guide-to-Peaceful-Coexistence

 It's written for the homeowner new to steam heating, It's easy humorous reading and is filled with diagrams and pictures.. An evening or two of reading will put you light years ahead in your knowledge of residential steam heating and the knowledge it gives you will save you money.

- Rod

Jimmbo

Book Order

Thanks. I'll order the book right now.

Charlie from wmass

One note on the radiator

with the current location of the air vent the radiator is not working with a full usable volume of steam. This may have been done on purpose since it is a small room. The steam will short circuit across the top to the vent and close it before all the air is vented out. Glad your migraine is gone. As for covers they can reduce or increase the output of the radiator. If you do a search on "The Wall" there are many threads about them. I recommend against their use in general.

RJ_4

Danfoss auto vents for 1 pipe systems

Be careful using auto control steam vents. Boiler must cycle alot during the day and pressure in system needs to drop way below air vent drop away press for radiators to shut off. 

ChrisJ

overheating?

Before any drastic expensive measures such as a TRV I would try a simple Gorton #4 vent.  This may cure all of your overheating problems.