Apartment radiator banging

alison1dland

Hi all,

Hoping this is in the right folder. I just moved into a new apartment and the Super has not been helpful. The radiator in the bedroom now that it’s getting cold in New York keeps banging. I understand that it’s a water hammer, but I don’t know how to fix it when I don’t have access to the boiler. Is there anything I can do to make it stop? It happens mainly right when it turns on. I’ve tried turning off the unit, but the knob won’t turn. Can I put aluminum foil over something or tape over some thing or somehow adjust something to maybe help this. I can’t get a full night sleep and I’m going insane. Thank you!

Jamie Hall

Make sure that control valve under the fin tube element is open. Completely open. The take a look at the vent at the other end and tell us what it is — it is quite possible that it is too big. The way that is piped it is almost certain to bang a little, but if the valve is all the way open and you can slow down the rate at which steam gets into it, that will help.