Radiator banging

bergensteamguy

Hello All, I have an unusual issue with my bathroom radiator banging.  I am fully aware of all the ways to prevent banging, such as pitching the radiator, changing the air venting,  making sure the valve is in working condition, etc. The challenge is that the radiator is not pitched to drain. I do not have much room to tilt it, because the air vent is hitting the tub... In addition,  the riser comes out of the floor very high and the connection is not lined up. The radiator has to be propped up. Hence the reason for the wood block. Looking for any suggestions.. 

ethicalpaul

It looks like there is a pretty drastic reduction from the radiator to the (I think) 1" supply pipe. That looks from here like it is going to hold a good deal of water regardless of the pitch of the radiator (within reason).

Can you take a picture like that last one above, but from lower, at the same level as the pipe going into the radiator?

bergensteamguy

ethicalpaul said:

It looks like there is a pretty drastic reduction from the radiator to the (I think) 1" supply pipe. That looks from here like it is going to hold a good deal of water regardless of the pitch of the radiator (within reason).

Can you take a picture like that last one above, but from lower, at the same level as the pipe going into the radiator?

I was wondering if it was possible to use a larger valve myself.. However, the radiator would not accept it. I did this with another radiator that had a reducing valve size and it worked to stop the banging. This does not seem possible with this one, because you would have to tap a bigger hole in the radiator. I will take a photo

KC_Jones

From where I'm sitting the below may be a viable solution, if it was my house I would at least try it and see what happens.

1. Remove the vent.
2. Install 1/8" close nipple.
3. Install 1/8" 90° elbow on close nipple
4. Install nipple in top of 90° elbow.
5. Install coupling on end of vertical nipple.
6. Install vertical vent of your choosing into coupling.

If you want to reuse that vent change the coupling to another 90° elbow.

Make sure vertical nipple is of adequate length to get the vent above the tub, it doesn't look like you need much. This should give you just enough clearance to tilt the radiator enough for proper drainage.

All of the above is assuming the 90° elbow is shorter than the vent, which I think it would be in looking at the pics.

EBEBRATT-Ed

How about spinning the radiator and the valve 180 degrees

ethicalpaul

Yeah that's a good point Ed. It may be that someone in the past spun it into the position it is today to make some more room, and in doing so, the pitch of the radiator is now opposite of what it should be.

bergensteamguy

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

How about spinning the radiator and the valve 180 degrees

That valve is 120 years old. It probably will not move. Also to the right of the valve is the toilet. So it would not work anyhow. Not a bad idea though if the toilet was not in the way. I would have tried that and maybe just put on a new valve.

bergensteamguy

KC_Jones said:

From where I'm sitting the below may be a viable solution, if it was my house I would at least try it and see what happens.

1. Remove the vent.
2. Install 1/8" close nipple.
3. Install 1/8" 90° elbow on close nipple
4. Install nipple in top of 90° elbow.
5. Install coupling on end of vertical nipple.
6. Install vertical vent of your choosing into coupling.

If you want to reuse that vent change the coupling to another 90° elbow.

Make sure vertical nipple is of adequate length to get the vent above the tub, it doesn't look like you need much. This should give you just enough clearance to tilt the radiator enough for proper drainage.

All of the above is assuming the 90° elbow is shorter than the vent, which I think it would be in looking at the pics.

I am going to give this a shot. Great thinking!

bergensteamguy

@KC_Jones , why not use an elbow right into the radiator and a nipple on top with coupling? Do you think it will have drainage issues with the elbow?

bergensteamguy

ps. I just put a level on the floor. Everything is pitching opposite the radiator valve.. I think that is a big part of the challenge. old house and even floors.

KC_Jones

bergensteamguy said:

@KC_Jones , why not use an elbow right into the radiator and a nipple on top with coupling? Do you think it will have drainage issues with the elbow?

If you mean, a Street elbow, yes, that would work also.

leonz

A wall hung radiator would probably be the best solution for this.

neilc

so if you shim up the vent end, that will also rock the rad away from the tub, might gain you a 1/2 inch,

or spin the rad 90, warm the toilet and tub more,
#90

bergensteamguy

@KC_Jones, just an update. There is some initial pinging on the initial heating up of this radiator, but it is much quieter. It was a good idea and gave me plenty of room to create the pitch I needed. Thank you!