Water hammer in steam riser solution

Osweeney · March 1

In the bedroom of my apartment is a steam riser from the floor to the ceiling next to my radiator which feeds right into the radiator of the upstairs neighbor. He doesn’t see any of the pipe in his room. It bangs and clanks any time the heat is turned on. Often this is so loud it’s impossible to sleep through. I contacted the landlord who sent the super who doesn’t really know what to do. He suggested that he drill a hole at the top of the pipe and install a valve. I’m worried that this may make the water hammer worse. I really know nothing about steam heat. Does this sound like a good idea to anyone familiar with this stuff?
thank you very much for any help.

mattmia2 · March 1

no. water is either trapped somewhere because of problems with piping pitch or failed steam traps or a broken valve or a few other reasons or the boiler is throwing liquid water out of the boiler in to the mains and that is colliding with steam which collapses when it encounters the water and makes the water hammer you are hearing or steam is getting somewhere it shouldn't because of failed steam traps or piping or boiler pressure problems.

Osweeney · March 1

ok thank you. I’ll ask the super not to do that. I really wish the landlord would just hire someone who knows something about steam heat systems to come look.