Noisy towel rail

[supersadie]

Could some kind soul advise? We have just moved house. There is a combi boiler and a plumbed-in towel rail. When the heating comes on the rail makes a long grinding sound. Similar to when the float in a header tank gets jammed. Anyone know why and whether there's a diy cure?
TIA

 

[Stadan20]

Is your towel rail fitted with a trv ?

 

[supersadie]

Hello there. Yes, it is. The noise this morning was more like a trumpet/elephant. I turned the TRV down a notch and the noise stopped instantly. I felt the top of the rail and it's cold so will bleed it. Not sure if that would solve the problem or is unrelated! Thank you.

 

[ianmcd]

TRV is on the wrong side, as towel rails tend to be always covered with towels I would remove the sensor head as a short term fix and replace it with a lockshield valve

 

[supersadie]

Interesting. Could you tell me how I might know if this is the case (apart from the elephant noise?!) Is there a way of knowing?

 

[dilalio]

TRVs are not normally put on towel rails.

 

[ianmcd]

yes tak

Interesting. Could you tell me how I might know if this is the case (apart from the elephant noise?!) Is there a way of knowing?

e the sensor head off and see if it stops the problem , post a pic of the TRV and I will tell you how to remove it , most are removed without any tools

 

[supersadie]

In case it makes any difference, we have four of these, our en suite one (the elephant) is dual fuel so we can turn on the element without the heating. The boiler is combi. All four towel rails are the plumbed in variety and have TRVs. House built in 1960s but extension with our en suite built in 2004.

 

[dilalio]

In case it makes any difference, we have four of these, our en suite one (the elephant) is dual fuel so we can turn on the element without the heating. The boiler is combi. All four towel rails are the plumbed in variety and have TRVs. House built in 1960s but extension with our en suite built in 2004.

So, the noisy one is the duel fuel one?

 

[supersadie]

Yes. But this morning there was kettling both in that rail and the radiator in the adjoining room. Now the rail is just trumpeting and the kettling noise has stopped. Frightened the bejaisus out of me...

 

[dilalio]

Ok. If you are getting multiple issues like you describe, then I'd start thinking about system water condition and contaminants!

From a diy POV, you could try draining the system, refilling with a cleaner and then changing that over again after a week with new inhibitor. Although, whilst it's empty it would be the time to take out the heating element and inspecting it, but plumber knowledge would be required here to assess if it is defective in any way!

 

[supersadie]

Thanks so much for your help. Will get a seasoned eye to come take a look.
Appreciate your time.

 

[supersadie]

Just to let you know,following a bit more research, I closed the lockshield valve, opened it a little. No trumpeting noise since I did it yesterday pm. Hoping that's the cure!

 

[dilalio]

Cool

Hopefully just a bit of debris in the valve - acting as a reed (like in a wind instrument)!

 

[supersadie]

I read something about water going through too quickly and causing vibration...but I like your idea of a musical towel rail better