Help Identifying Sound from 2-Pipe Steam Radiator

shames · December 16

Hi everyone,

I have a 2-pipe steam heating system, and while most of my radiators are quiet, a few make a noise when they’re heating up. The sound seems to be louder near the top of the radiator. It’s not bothersome, but I want to make sure it’s not indicative of a leak or another issue. Note that I tried holding a small mirror near the area and I'm not seeing any signs of condensation or escaping steam.

Here's a recording of the sound to help identify it: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12GIWT-SXWQxs8Dk1P6kxyaT6w6edeiFD/view?usp=sharing

Does anyone know what might be causing this?

Thanks in advance for your insights!

Jamie Hall · December 16

Can't really make it out, but what I think I hear sounds more to me like a telegraphed sound from the boiler burner. You don't say what the boiler is, but either oil or a powered gas burner could make such a noise. Atmospheric wouldn't.

shames · December 16

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1827219#Comment_1827219

The boiler has gas burners; it's on the other side of the house and there are many other radiators closer to the boiler that don't make this sound.

ethicalpaul · December 16

Is it the high pitch squealing that sounds like subway tracks, or is it the low rumbling sound, or both?

shames · December 18

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1827234#Comment_1827234

To me, it's like a whistle but I guess I could see it described as a high pitch squeal. Could it indicate that it's leaking steam or maybe that the air isn't venting properly?

ethicalpaul · December 18

Is the supply valve partially closed? That is OK in a 2-pipe system but maybe it's set at a point that whistles?? Try opening or closing it more to see if the sound changes?

Do you have any knowledge of the typical pressure the system is running at, especially when it is making this noise?

If the steam were leaking you might see or hear it more obviously on the outside of the radiator I would think.

What about the low rumbly sound in the audio? Was that something else?

Help Identifying Sound from 2-Pipe Steam Radiator

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