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Boiler banging

Fizz
Fizz Member Posts: 547
Have friend who has gas boiler hot water heat. Said he's had banging coming from boiler for several years, but service repair guys can't find problem. He said boiler is over 25 yrs old. No issues with heat. Any feedback aprreciated.

Fizz

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,856
    That's pretty vague... can you describe the banging a little more exactly? When does it occur? Can you locate it any more exactly?
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    kcopp
  • lchmb
    lchmb Member Posts: 2,997
    Hate when those gremlins crawl in a nice boiler....I'm with Jamie..a bit more info...or maybe even a video if it's that constant...
  • Fizz
    Fizz Member Posts: 547
    Will get more info. thanks.
  • lchmb
    lchmb Member Posts: 2,997
    looking for when it starts..is it at the beginning of a call for heat. after it's been running for a while..after it shuts off...is it a thumping sound or a boiling sound? Or huge banging sound? Do you hear it at the boiler or only upstairs? Does it always happen or only once in a while? Some place to start...:)
  • Fizz
    Fizz Member Posts: 547
    When boiler turns on and continues til heat satisfied. He said boiler is only place it's heard, and sounds like water-based sound. Started about 2 yrs ago.
  • hvacplumber7
    hvacplumber7 Member Posts: 15
    Not sure where your located, but around here in WI, we have very hard water. When we here a banging or rumbling boiler, more times than not it's sediment build up. As the boiler heats the bottom of the sections, it dries out the sediment. When water does find a passage through, it instantly steams, and than is absorbed by the water. That sudden steam is the cause of the rumbling.
    So I would check for sediment build up, and maybe do a pressure check to see if there maybe a slow leak in the system.
  • Fizz
    Fizz Member Posts: 547
    He lives in NE Pa. Thanks for info I will relay to him.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,856
    NE PA? If he's on well water, it could well be from scaling, as @hvacplumber7 suggests. Less likely, but also possible on city water.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Fizz
    Fizz Member Posts: 547
    He's on city water. Thanks Jamie!
  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,472
    What is the make and model of boiler.?
  • Fizz
    Fizz Member Posts: 547
    I know it's Weil Mc, over 25 yrs old, but will have to get model from him.
  • Something is slowing water flow past the heat exchanger. Debris, mineral accumulation, bad circulator, perhaps a small zone that was added causing limited flow when it's the only one turned on, etc.
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
  • Fizz
    Fizz Member Posts: 547
    Ok thanks. Will see him today and give him info.