Noises that sound like water hammer, but aren't

speedbird

Hi everyone, my steam system runs great and is fairly quiet, barring some occasional minor water hammer.

That said, even when the system is off, and fully off in the summer months, I hear from time to time what seems to sound like water hammer from the radiators. Sometimes it happens when I walk near them, other times I can hear it from afar. It's not a problem, just curious what it could be. Some sort of settling? Thanks!

Fred

Check if the pipe(s) that feed those radiators is making contact with the wood floor and when you walk on them or as the temps change they rub against the flooring. Rads also expand and contract as they get hot and/or cool. Try cutting pieces of a milk carton and placing them under the legs of one of the offending radiators and see if the noise goes away. The plastic allows the radiator to slide a bit as it expands and contracts.