I three years ago had a combi-boiler installed. In the las few months, the radiator in my bedroom has started making a rapid ticking noise that lasts about 3-5 seconds. This repeats every 15 mins or so. I have the central heating on at night at the moment and the boiler pressure is 1.4 bars? Any ideas what could be making this noise?
Ticking noise In radiators
- Thread starter GMC1001
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Probably thermal expansion. When the radiator or the pipes going to it get filled with hot water, they expand.
If they happen to be rubbing on a wall stud (or whatever) then you get slippage similar to earthquake movement. That is, the stress builds up until the pipe moves, then the stress builds up again until the pipe moves again. And, that keeps up until the pipe stops expanding.
You might not hear that same ticking as the radiator cools because the pipe might cool down slower than it heats up.
If they happen to be rubbing on a wall stud (or whatever) then you get slippage similar to earthquake movement. That is, the stress builds up until the pipe moves, then the stress builds up again until the pipe moves again. And, that keeps up until the pipe stops expanding.
You might not hear that same ticking as the radiator cools because the pipe might cool down slower than it heats up.
I bleed the radiators in my house every 6 months as maintenance, not because the radiators necessarily need it. When the ticking noise first started, I bleed the radiator. It made no difference to the noise. If it makes any difference, this radiator is the last one in the circuit before the water goes back into the boiler.
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does it have a TRV 
Funny you should say that. Its an 30ish year old radiator and it has a basic radiator valve with no thermostat (which does not turn). It seems to have locked up. I've only tried to turn it with my hand, when I get home from work I'll try taking a spanner to it
I think its on flow (if flow means "on"). Hot water is definitely flowing through the radiator, and it's hot all over the radiator.
Sorry... I'm new to the forum (and the definitions). Its a return connection.
Thanks, I try that and let you know how I get on!
Right, I've just noticed that the noise is running through ALL the radiators in the house, and its getting louder and the noise is happening for longer.
Just reading through the forum and seem to have the same problems with my central heating system. The rads upstairs all tick and it is very frustrating. Did you manage to have the problem fixed.
Thanks in advance for your help
The thread was posted 6 years ago so you may not get a reply.
If you type in 'ticking radiator' in the search part of the forum, you should find some help there from previous problems and some remedies.
If you type in 'ticking radiator' in the search part of the forum, you should find some help there from previous problems and some remedies.
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