Pipe Banging

[m0t]

We have recently moved into a flat that has a communal Central heating system, with no pumps/boilers in individual flats. There is a radiator in the main bedroom that is sat at the end of a long run of pipe that is causing us trouble.

The pipe is banging rhythmically every 5 seconds or so which is causing the radiator to bang as well. The noise tends to build to a crescendo resulting in a massive bang from the rad. I have tried turning the rad off but the pipe still bangs and bleeding the radiators hasn't achieved anything.

Interestingly if I shake the rad when it is happening the noise stops for 30 seconds. There is also a small pump to circulate to the downstairs portion of the flat, turning this on causes the noise to speed up.

Is there anything else I can try before getting an engineer in?

 

[barkie1]

check if the pipe work is well surported/cliped?

 

[echoes]

Sounds like thermal expansion of the pipes; and the pipe is rubbing against something as it heats up. Could be very easy to fix with a bit of lagging, or extra support IF you can pinpoint the source of the noise.