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Expansion Contraction noises

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borner
borner Member Posts: 19
in Strictly Steam
Let me start by saying I completely understand iron will expand and contract with heat / cooling, and in seemingly nonsensical units (in/in.. should cancel).
But should it be loud, like REALLY loud... After the boiler turns off 15-45mn later it sounds like someone is hitting my pipes with a hammer in the basement (and a little rattle, probably from long runs). The pipes are insulated, I assume its just some binding on a hanger, I just want to make sure this isn't leading up to something bigger...

Thanks everyone!

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  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
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    It seems like you could feel the movement somewhere, and then make some changes to the pipe hangers,--NBC
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,739
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    If it is just expansion and contraction there is also the milk jug trick. Take an old milk jug and cut some pieces of it out and put between pipe and whatever it's rubbing against. The plastic allows things to slide and not bind. It is a trick many have used when nothing else can be done.
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,948
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    You sure it's not water hammer? You got pics of near boiler piping? Especially the equalizer/hartford loop?
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,326
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    That does sound like expansion noises. You need to figure out where the pipes are binding, and make provision for them to slide or move. Since sound telegraphs in the pipe, this can be a little tedious...
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
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    borner said:

    in/in.. should cancel

    They do cancel, and if you get the units right you get a ratio (percent.)
  • borner
    borner Member Posts: 19
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    well it turns out it was just the radiators on the wood floors, I think they got stuck when the floors were done. I added two sheets of PTFE (I don't drink much milk..) under each foot.. now its silent!
  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
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    Any type of metal or plastic will do. The aluminum of a soda can or the clear plastic of a water bottle. Water bottles are nice because you can slide a large piece under the feet of a radiator and easily cut it to fit with a razor/utility knife. Making for a really professional looking job. Clean looking.

    A clean job is a happy job. Always do a clean job and make everyone happy.

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