Pipe Hanger Noise

fxrgrunt

So at the recommendation of the forum prior to insulating my steam pipes again, I re leveled the pipes because the asbestos abatement guys had cut about 4 pipe hangers. I went with clevis hangers with 3/8 rod and used the sammy sidewinders to mount them as high in the joists as possible. Still, I get popping noise from them when the pipes are expanding/contracting. Any advice as to get rid of the noise? I know I could get the wood blocks and bigger clevis hangers to go over the insulation but I'd like to get through winter before doing that. 

clammy

Try using a piece of plastic like from a milk jug between the pipe and Clevis hanger , is it possible that you don’t have enough hangers and have excess weight on the offensive hanger . On 2 inch pipe I generally get a hanger every 7 to 8 feet apart and I don’t rely on pipe that hung to support pipe that has no supports . Peace and good luck clammy

EdTheHeaterMan

Steam will melt the plastic. A racecar buddy of mine has this stuff in his garage. I used it to wrap steam pipes near the hangers once and it did a good job of reducing the expansion noise. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/the-11153?seid=srese1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-_L9BRBQEiwA-bm5fogDPA9HctIkgaMIy1hL8KSBALn4ABOe-Ru_JsVIhxnRy8ZmCsymZBoCfDAQAvD_BwE

Won't get rid of the hammer from improper pipe slope.

ethicalpaul

Steam doesn't seem to melt milk jug plastic. Most of it is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-density_polyethylene which melts at 130c

But for me the challenge is finding where the noise is happening!

fxrgrunt

ethicalpaul said:

Steam doesn't seem to melt milk jug plastic. Most of it is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-density_polyethylene which melts at 130c But for me the challenge is finding where the noise is happening!

I know exactly that it's coming from the pipe hangers I just added because it wasnt happening prior to installing them lol

fxrgrunt

EdTheHeaterMan said:

Steam will melt the plastic. A racecar buddy of mine has this stuff in his garage. I used it to wrap steam pipes near the hangers once and it did a good job of reducing the expansion noise. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/the-11153?seid=srese1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-_L9BRBQEiwA-bm5fogDPA9HctIkgaMIy1hL8KSBALn4ABOe-Ru_JsVIhxnRy8ZmCsymZBoCfDAQAvD_BwE Won't get rid of the hammer from improper pipe slope.

Not a bad idea considering its meant for exhaust. I may even have pipe wrap laying around from old harley builds.

ethicalpaul

fxrgrunt said:

I know exactly that it's coming from the pipe hangers I just added because it wasnt happening prior to installing them lol

Maybe...maybe not. I had the same situation, but adding hangers put additional stress somewhere else so for me it's been non-obvious

fxrgrunt

ethicalpaul said:

I know exactly that it's coming from the pipe hangers I just added because it wasnt happening prior to installing them lol

Maybe...maybe not. I had the same situation, but adding hangers put additional stress somewhere else so for me it's been non-obvious

Gotcha. The wonderful life of steam heat. Sometimes it just sounds easier to have forced air haha. But it just doesn't give off the same heat. I think in my forever home I will go with hot water with a combination of Runtal European style radiators and floor heating. Also I would prefer a ranch so everything would be accessible in the basement with no pipes running through walls.

fxrgrunt

ethicalpaul said:

Steam doesn't seem to melt milk jug plastic. Most of it is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-density_polyethylene which melts at 130c But for me the challenge is finding where the noise is happening!

Also you have to love the science of this haha.

136lin

Did you try loosening the horizontal cross bolt on the hanger so that the sides are not touching the pip?

JUGHNE

Agree, I think if the cross bolt is loose to swivel it may swing with pipe movement. I would put a locknut on the bolt or double nut.

136lin

Did you try loosening the horizontal cross bolt on the hanger so that the sides are not touching the pip?

EBEBRATT-Ed

Possible that the hangers are too tight pinching the pipe

fixitguy

 I use flattened soda cans as a bushing

mferrer

Oversized clevis hangers with tin shields to accommodate pipe insulation are typically used in the commercial piping industry. Then a piece of pipe sized calcium silicate between the pipe and the shield prevents the insulation from compression under the weight of the pipe. Not sure where you can get the calcium silicate, but maybe you can substitute something (wood or rubber). I think the larger hanger, if it fits, and good fiberglass pipe insulation may help with the noise.