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Pipe Hanger Noise

fxrgrunt
fxrgrunt Member Posts: 157
So at the recommendation of the forum prior to insulating my steam pipes again, I re leveled the pipes because the asbestos abatement guys had cut about 4 pipe hangers. I went with clevis hangers with 3/8 rod and used the sammy sidewinders to mount them as high in the joists as possible. Still, I get popping noise from them when the pipes are expanding/contracting. Any advice as to get rid of the noise? I know I could get the wood blocks and bigger clevis hangers to go over the insulation but I'd like to get through winter before doing that. 

Comments

  • clammy
    clammy Member Posts: 3,103
    edited November 2020
    Try using a piece of plastic like from a milk jug between the pipe and Clevis hanger , is it possible that you don’t have enough hangers and have excess weight on the offensive hanger . On 2 inch pipe I generally get a hanger every 7 to 8 feet apart and I don’t rely on pipe that hung to support pipe that has no supports . Peace and good luck clammy
    R.A. Calmbacher L.L.C. HVAC
    NJ Master HVAC Lic.
    Mahwah, NJ
    Specializing in steam and hydronic heating
    fxrgruntDave T_2
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 7,720
    Steam will melt the plastic. A racecar buddy of mine has this stuff in his garage. I used it to wrap steam pipes near the hangers once and it did a good job of reducing the expansion noise. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/the-11153?seid=srese1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-_L9BRBQEiwA-bm5fogDPA9HctIkgaMIy1hL8KSBALn4ABOe-Ru_JsVIhxnRy8ZmCsymZBoCfDAQAvD_BwE

    Won't get rid of the hammer from improper pipe slope.
    Edward F Young. Retired HVAC ContractorSpecialized in Residential Oil Burner and Hydronics
    fxrgrunt
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,695
    Steam doesn't seem to melt milk jug plastic. Most of it is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-density_polyethylene which melts at 130c

    But for me the challenge is finding where the noise is happening!
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
    fxrgruntHap_HazzardKafox15
  • fxrgrunt
    fxrgrunt Member Posts: 157
    Steam doesn't seem to melt milk jug plastic. Most of it is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-density_polyethylene which melts at 130c But for me the challenge is finding where the noise is happening!
    I know exactly that it's coming from the pipe hangers I just added because it wasnt happening prior to installing them lol
  • fxrgrunt
    fxrgrunt Member Posts: 157
    Steam will melt the plastic. A racecar buddy of mine has this stuff in his garage. I used it to wrap steam pipes near the hangers once and it did a good job of reducing the expansion noise. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/the-11153?seid=srese1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-_L9BRBQEiwA-bm5fogDPA9HctIkgaMIy1hL8KSBALn4ABOe-Ru_JsVIhxnRy8ZmCsymZBoCfDAQAvD_BwE Won't get rid of the hammer from improper pipe slope.
    Not a bad idea considering its meant for exhaust. I may even have pipe wrap laying around from old harley builds.
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,695
    edited November 2020
    fxrgrunt said:


    I know exactly that it's coming from the pipe hangers I just added because it wasnt happening prior to installing them lol
    Maybe...maybe not. I had the same situation, but adding hangers put additional stress somewhere else so for me it's been non-obvious
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
    fxrgrunt
  • fxrgrunt
    fxrgrunt Member Posts: 157
    I know exactly that it's coming from the pipe hangers I just added because it wasnt happening prior to installing them lol
    Maybe...maybe not. I had the same situation, but adding hangers put additional stress somewhere else so for me it's been non-obvious
    Gotcha. The wonderful life of steam heat. Sometimes it just sounds easier to have forced air haha. But it just doesn't give off the same heat. I think in my forever home I will go with hot water with a combination of Runtal European style radiators and floor heating. Also I would prefer a ranch so everything would be accessible in the basement with no pipes running through walls.
    ethicalpaul
  • fxrgrunt
    fxrgrunt Member Posts: 157
    Steam doesn't seem to melt milk jug plastic. Most of it is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-density_polyethylene which melts at 130c But for me the challenge is finding where the noise is happening!
    Also you have to love the science of this haha.
  • 136lin
    136lin Member Posts: 30
    Did you try loosening the horizontal cross bolt on the hanger so that the sides are not touching the pip?
    Dave T_2
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    Agree, I think if the cross bolt is loose to swivel it may swing with pipe movement. I would put a locknut on the bolt or double nut.
  • 136lin
    136lin Member Posts: 30
    Did you try loosening the horizontal cross bolt on the hanger so that the sides are not touching the pip?
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,453
    Possible that the hangers are too tight pinching the pipe
  • fixitguy
    fixitguy Member Posts: 91
     I use flattened soda cans as a bushing
  • mferrer
    mferrer Member Posts: 33
    Oversized clevis hangers with tin shields to accommodate pipe insulation are typically used in the commercial piping industry. Then a piece of pipe sized calcium silicate between the pipe and the shield prevents the insulation from compression under the weight of the pipe. Not sure where you can get the calcium silicate, but maybe you can substitute something (wood or rubber). I think the larger hanger, if it fits, and good fiberglass pipe insulation may help with the noise.