noisy central heating

rap2004 · 22 Nov 2004

Noisy, clunking pipes and boiler. Very hard water area in Kent so I guess I need to flush the whole system and use a de-scaler of some sort. Anybody know how much this generally costs to have done by a proper central heating specialist (i.e. not a cowboy)? Can anyone recommend a good one in the Ashford area of Kent?

Tempted to have a go myself but don't really want to risk screwing it up, especially as the weather is now getting colder! How easy is it to do?

For your information, the house I live in is 5 years old with wall mounted Glow-worm Ultimate boiler, 15 radiators (various sizes, some double).

Gas2Air · 22 Nov 2004

How noisy is the system? Many boilers make noises due to kettling. If there is excess noise check the f/e tank, empty? too full and hot? Check pump. How long does your boiler stay on for? Cold feed maybe blocked, air sep blocked? You need to be a bit more vague.

rap2004 · 23 Nov 2004

The noise generally comes from all over the place, from the boiler itself, the rads, pipes. Louder than last year. The system as a whole is at its noisiest when it switches itself on/off during the night. I have the main thermostat knob set to about 22 so that the central heating comes on and off automatically as required but this on/off event is always accompanied by the banging, ticking and clunking noises which is most evident from upstairs. Have bled all of the rads in the house to get rid of any air but the problem remains. Other than the noise, the actual performance of the system is fine - the boiler always fires up okay, and the rads and hot water are fine (so far!). Based on this, I assume the pump and everything is okay.

Any ideas? De-scale required? If so, how much?

ChrisR · 23 Nov 2004

You can get System Restorer/Descaler yourself for £20 or less and DIY aslong as you can drain the system. A full powerflush is a different thing, takes all day and will cost £400 or so.

I think you need a visit for a heating engr to diagnose first though.

Is the system older than the boiler, is it a sealed system etc etc etc.

brumylad · 23 Nov 2004

Has your system always been noisy ?

ticking noises are usually generated when the system expands (gets hot) and contracts (cools).

Cure this by preventing the pipework from rubbing against the structure of the building. The main cause is rubbing against wooden joists under the floor, can be remedied by wrapping the pipe in old style felt insulation (it comes on a roll) as it passes over a joist.

kevplumb · 23 Nov 2004

think id go with chris on this one risk the 20 quid first

mmx · 27 Nov 2004

I had a similar problem, unikely to be scale in a 5 year od system, it is probably air in the system.
Vent all the radiators, it may take a while and a few attempts but this should cure your problem

PEDANTICVINDICTIVEMAN · 27 Nov 2004

Sounds more like what brum said to me

StevieJB · 28 Nov 2004

I've just had a nasty central heating banging problem that was solved using the fab plumbing folk on this website - go to 'pipes banging like a Led Zep drum solo'. All mine was was a CH pipe touching some plasterboard - I moved the pipe....no more banging

kevplumb · 28 Nov 2004

we try bonny lad

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noisy central heating

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