Boiler - steam heat system. Experiencing a banging sound as the steam rises through the heating pipes?

Question

Have been told this is called hammering. Does not occur all the time or with the same intensity. Can this be stopped?

Answer 1

If it is steam, not hot water, your problem is water in the steam lines. It is refered to as condensate and as the steam heats it, it flashes into steam at an increddible rate. The cause could be a faulty steam trap or a sag in the steam line that collects water. It could als be a design problem that has the condensate ,or return lines below the condensate return into the boiler. If it is old, you could have blockages in the return lines that won't let the condensate get back to the boiler. To check the steam traps, use a infared thermometer to check the temp. on both sides of the trap. if thay are close to the same, the trap is bad.

Answer 2

The steam hammers because the steam rising through the cold pipes condenses the steam back into water. If you do not have traps on the line to eliminate the water from the steam, it will cause the water to reheat and flash back to steam, causing the hammering.
The only other solution that lessens the hammering is to heat the pipes up slowly.

Answer 3

That is usually because of air trapped in the lines somwehere.
Either the vent system is not working properly, or the system is improperly designed.
Ask a plumber that specializes in steam heating.

Answer 4

Nope. It's the heat causing the metal of the pipes to expand. It's normal and should stop once the pipes are warmed up.

Peace

Answer 5

as steam goes thru the pipes it creates contractions and exspansions, depending on temp...banging is pretty much normal