Radiators And New-Build Property.....

[Lisa_Louise]

Hi,

We have just moved into a newly built property, each time the radiator comes on in the bedroom the wall kind of 'ticks'. Softly at first then gradually gets louder and louder until it has us fully awake. After a while it stops. But it's the initial 15 minutes or so, every time it comes on!

The radiator is fixed to an internal wall and there is another radiator on the other side of the wall in another room. So they are kind if like back to back.

Is there a way we can stop this or is there nothing that can be done as its really quite annoying!

[paul1763]

we had a brand new system put in 14 months ago and the same thing happens with us, i came to the conclusion that maybe as the rads are more efficient they may be thinner metal and we are hearing them expand as they get hot. or i may be totally wrong.

[bhg481]

We have the same problem and I believe it is the pipes expanding and sliding through the holes in the wooden joists making the creaking noise. We've been in the house from new (35 years) and it still does it.

[zebo]

We have a converted house, the system is about 10 years old and it does the same, it's how I know the heating's come on. I think the remedy for us would be too extreme but in a new build, can you not take it up with the builder?

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Its down to bad installation methods..and difficult to rectify without disruption.

[Lisa_Louise]

It's definately the wall behind the radiator, as when I put pressure on the wall it stops, and when I let go it starts again. I've even put my ear to the wall and can hear it really clearly. It only happens to that wall in the whole building. None of the other rooms are affected but then again they are on more solid walls. Is this wall not made properly or should there not be back to back radiators on a seemingly flimsy internal wall like this?

[Lisa_Louise]

Bright spark..... How would this be rectified?

[bhg481]

The chances are that, if it's an internal non-supporting wall, it's a wooden frame with plasterboard at each side. The pipes will be laid through holes drilled in the wooden frame and will be creaking as they expand through the holes.

[ivor4781]

metal expansion

[gangesboy]

There is actually a Forum on this problem which you may find useful
http://community.screwfix.com/threads/central-heating-pipes-ticking-clicking.126055/

[Lisa_Louise]

Will have a look gangesboy, thanks!

[The Builder]

Nothing wrong with back-to-back rads, Lisa. It sounds like a studwork wall (timber studs and plasterboard.) Possibly even metal studs.

The pipework is expanding and contracting as the others have said. It slides through holes in the studwork. Possibly, the holes are too small, but mainly it's the fixings that can cause creaking.

Holes in timber should be big enough for rigid pipework to pass through loosely, and fixings should not be rigid. Solid, standard pipe clips are the worst. Pipework should be able to slide around a bit as it expands.

If you can fairly accurately identify where the pipework runs, then it can be fixed. Just a case of cutting an access hole in the plasterboard to get at any creaking fittings.

Re-fix the plasterboard, then it's just a bit of Polyfilling or plastering to finish it off.