grout to fill hole in tiles around bathroom radiator? noisy

[mandinka]

Hi. My bathroom fitter has filled the holes in the floor tiles where the rad pipes come up with tile grout. The radiator creaks and clicks loudly when it's heating up. Might this be because the grout is preventing the pipes from expanding? If so, how do I remove the grout now and what do I replace it with?

 

[Burnerman]

Its worth checking the rad itself first......look at the wall brackets - they should have a plastic slider where the radiator hangs. These allow the rad to expand length wise.
A very common issue!
John

 

[mandinka]

Thanks John. It's complicated by the fact it's a tall vertical "designer" radiator and I can't see the brackets. It's not a towel rail type...panel. Do you think the grout is unlikely to be causing the problem?

 

[Burnerman]

Its obviously impossible for me to be certain, but the radiator will expand much more than the pipes due to the size - hence they create more noise generally.
Anyway, there's nothing to stop you carefully scraping the grout away, and replacing it with some silicone of the same colour.
John

 

[45yearsagasman]

You might consider removing the grout and fitting pipe collars. They are available in white, chrome, wood etc from many places. Just a thought.

 

[mandinka]

Thanks John and Pete. I tried scraping the grout with the point of a Stanley knife but din't get very far. Any tips on how to attack it? I'm not really used to diy etc. Mandy

 

[Burnerman]

Scrape in there with an old small screwdriver.....just dig out a bit at a time, and don't stab the pipe! (Not trying to be patronising there but its easily done!)
John
P.S Still likely to be the rad itself!
J

 

[mandinka]

Thanks John and Pete. I tried scraping the grout with the point of a Stanley knife but din't get very far. Any tips on how to attack it? I'm not really used to diy etc. Mandy