Loud steam pipes in our Co-Op apartment

Burtmakai

We are new to a co-op building. Freshly renoated including new radiators.

In the last two months we are having a terrible noises coming from the steam risers in a couple areas our apartment. It will start in the riser banging and cracking, and then if we open the radiator it will stop for a few minutes. But after a few minutes the radiator will sound like a penny is whipping back and forth inside it. Been going on for over a month. The radiator is pitched correctly. And today had a new development. A brown oily liquid has started spewing from the valve and no heat. The building has not been helpful to fix the issue, hoping it goes away on its own. Any idea what is going on?

sound it makes

Video

Thank you in advance.

pedmec

Most likely a boiler issue. Call maintenance and have them take a look at the water level in the boiler. something is probably going on at the boiler.

jefftk3

Do you know if the boiler is new, along with the new radiators?

delcrossv

Well, that's not the correct location for a steam vent. Should be around halfway down on the last section.

For the noise, the ticking sounds like expansion noise, the bangs could be water hammer.

Did the building install a new boiler as well? Can you get down to see it? Post pictures if you can.

The oily substance is just that, oil. Sounds like oil either from a building full of new radiators, and/or a new boiler is causing water to be thrown up into the piping.

Paul S_3

Water is collecting at a low point somewhere. Since it's a newly renovated building chances are some of the piping is incorrect. Where are you located? Also check the boiler pressure, if its too high it can cause a lot of this hammering.

leaking

Sound travels easily in pipes , with remodeling a high likelihood is the main supply below you is not pitched properly . Was the basement area remodeled? I had my basement ceilings redone and the contractor removed some pipe hangers making pipes sag, hold water , and knock. Yes it’s loud and annoying. Tell management. Someone said top venting a radiator is bad, I have no issue with it and am not aware of any . All my radiators have two tap areas indented , top and middle . The middle can supply more heat than the top , top and middle can be used together for cold rooms . I do it on cold apartments. I top vent on hot apartments, and use vents that supply greater or less heat where necessary.