Clanking noise in heat pipes!

AC

It has two pipes. One bigger, one thinner. The larger pipe connects to one side of the radiator with the on/off valve. The smaller pipe connects to the other side. The smaller pipe is the one that clanks. I notice that it only clanks when it's very hot. The radiator itself doesn't get hot. My family usually doesn't turn the radiator on because it gets very hot in the appt if we do. I am thinking maybe it is clogged or something.

A few days ago the housing office finally sent someone to check it out. The repairman said it was a buildup of water in the radiator or pipes because we had not turned the valve on, so the new heat was clashing with the cold water built up. He let out the water, turned all the valves on high, and the clanking stopped for a few days. But this morning I was awaken by clanking again. When the clanking starts, all the heat pipes (a total of 4 locations in the appt) clank together.

Does this sound more like the problem is the building heating system? Or perhaps just the pipes in my appartment is clogged?? I thought about taking apart the radiator and letting out water like the repairman did, but I thought better of it since I don't know what I'm doing.

Thanks for any suggestions.

AC

Clanking noise in heating pipes

I live in a 13 story appartment building. Last night at around 2 AM, I was awakened by an infernal clanking noise in the heating pipes. First I thought it was the upstairs kids again, as they've been known to hammer the pipes, but this time it sounded different. The clanking was softer and with a regular rhythm. It would stop after about 20 minutes, and then start again after a while. I ended up not getting any sleep, and had to call in sick this morning. I fell asleep again only to be awaken by this noise again about an hour again, it's still clanking as I type.

This has never happened before. What is the problem?

DanHolohan

What do

your radiators look like? How many pipes are attached to each one?