What can I do to stop pipes from banging as pressure builds up in boiler for steam heat system

Hi Mack...

There are a bunch of things you can do to reduce the knocking/banging associated with steam systems. Unfortunately, there are also some things that you will not be able to do to improve as these systems are inherently noisy due to the fantastic speed of expansion of the pipes.

First thing to do would be to drain the system of water and then refill the system... see if that helps. This should be done monthly at a minimum with most steam systems. Here, dirty water equals thicker water and thicker water means a more turbulent boiling of the water and can lead to SURGING of water into the steam pipes creating some pretty ugly sounds.

If that didn't improve things then a second step would be to add a boiler cleaner such as trisodiumphosphate and flush/clean the boiler system such as indicated at this link:

http://www.weil-mclain.com/en/multim...ins/SB0102.pdf

Another easier cleaner to be added in through the relief valve opening (after removing) is SQUICK... available at all plumbing stores. Follow directions carefully.

Check it out at:

SQUICK Steam Boiler Cleaner/Inhibitor

This stuff "Absorbs grease oil, rust, dissolved and suspended solids"... I quoted that from the site, but I have used it and it does exactly that, again, thinning the water and allowing for a rolling boil instead of a turbulent boiling which leads to surging/priming of water into the steam pipes... a BAD thing!

Another thing that contributes to noise with these systems is system design. If the system wasn't designed with enough room for the pipes to expand and contract then you can expect all kinds of banging/noises. Here, check that pipes are not touching any wood anywhere... not joists, not against joists, not through the holes in the floors, etc. Check this here.

Sometimes, the pipes have lost their pitch. Here, an improperly pitched steam pipe can lead to some pretty awful noises as condensate dripping back runs into steam instead of running UNDER the steam... can be quite a violent reaction in terms of energy exchanged/intermingled. Feed pipes should pitch up and away from the boiler, return pipes should pitch toward the boiler and hartford loop piping connect both the feed and return and can pitch either way.

Anyway, that's a start for you. Let me know if you want to discuss more here.

MARK

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