The design and principle of operation of the radiator
There are different types of radiators, depending on the coolant and the heat transfer process used. Let's talk about the most common models of sectional radiators designed for water heating systems.
The principle of operation of such devices is quite simple: two pipes with coolant: direct and return supply, with fins between the pipes. That is, metal plates are installed that are heated by a pipeline with coolant. The air between the fins heats up. When air comes into contact with the surfaces of objects, walls and human skin, it gives off heat and cools down. Gradually, a constant temperature is established in the room.
Heated air has a lower density than cold air, so it immediately begins to “float” to the ceiling, while squeezing the cold air down. This is how cold and warm layers of air mix. In addition to convective heat exchange, the radiator also participates in radiation heat exchange. The surfaces of the devices are deliberately painted white so that as much heat rays as possible escape into the room. Radiation heat exchange heats all surfaces in the room, including the surface of the human body, but the air cannot be heated this way.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the temperature of the coolant that flows in the battery. The fact is that the maximum permissible water temperature in the radiator is 90 degrees. The maximum permissible in conditions of centralized heating means the maximum benefit. The higher the temperature of the coolant supplied to the pipes, the faster the necessary conditions will be established in the room, the fewer resources the company will lose during transportation. Of course, this takes into account the outside temperature. At 0 degrees, no company will heat water to 90 degrees. This is fraught with complaints from residents and unnecessary costs.
Why exactly 90 degrees? After this value, sublimation of dust settling on radiation surfaces begins. Sublimation is a process in which dust immediately changes from a solid state to a gaseous state by mixing with air. The air residents breathe, it settles on the inner surface of the lungs. This leads to a 40% increase in the risk of lung cancer
The main cause of noise in batteries is rust.
The duality of the situation is that it is at 90 degrees that the metal acquires maximum parameters of corrosion activity. Rust is the main cause of noise in heating systems. In fact, there can be two reasons: rust or human factor. A situation is developing in which it is profitable for the company supplying heat to heat the coolant to the maximum, and local problems become a “headache” for management companies, utility services and, first of all, residents. Let's try to figure out how to get out of this situation with minimal losses.
Hissing and whistling
If the radiator hisses or whistles, this is a sign of a water leak. Moreover, the location of the leak can be anywhere in the heating system. Sometimes water comes out in a heating pipe embedded in the wall, and the sound comes from a radiator 10 meters away.
If you live in a multi-storey building and have not found an obvious leak in your apartment, talk to your neighbors. Maybe somewhere in a secluded corner they have already accumulated a puddle. If you can't find an obvious place, you should check:
- Parts of pipes embedded in ceilings and walls;
- Common riser;
- Places where the riser passes through the ceilings.
Causes of battery noise and how to eliminate them
As already mentioned, the main cause of noise is rust. But pipes, a radiator or a riser can make noise. We will consider the noise in the pipes last, since the tenant is not able to fix this problem on his own. It will be a matter of communications located on the technical floors. You will have to check the pump, vibration inserts, etc. The easiest option to fix is a radiator malfunction.
Knock
Metallic knocking, scraping, and slight squeaking can occur in only two cases. The first and most unlikely: poor radiator mounting. If you have recently moved into an apartment or have recently repaired your heating system, then it may well be that the installer did not secure the radiator to the brackets properly. Or, as a result of hydraulic disturbances, pressure surges or expansion of devices, the brackets themselves became loose. In this case, you just need to check the fastenings and put gaskets in place where the mechanical parts come into contact.
The second option is much more complicated. The fact is that in open heating systems, suspended particles from heating plants, despite the filters, often end up in the radiator. To these are added loose rust particles. This mixture travels through pipes, often remaining in radiators. With large accumulations of particles and high pressures, these particles begin to hit the inner walls of the radiator. To solve the problem, you will have to disconnect and clean the radiator.
There are two ways to clean the radiator:
- Chemical. Fill the radiator with a compound that corrodes and dissolves contaminants. After the procedure, the liquid is drained, and the radiator is again ready for use.
- Mechanical. The radiator is flushed with a powerful stream of water, which washes away all contaminants.
If after all these procedures the radiator is still faulty, you will have to replace the device.
Rumble
A hum or whistle clearly indicates a violation of the hydraulics of the heating systems. There may be several reasons for this:
- Improper balancing of whole house hydraulics. The fact is that all houses powered by the central heating main and connected according to a dependent connection scheme are interconnected. This is achieved by selecting a certain diameter of the balancing valve or installing a throttling nut on the thermal input of the building. If the nut was selected incorrectly or the valve was incorrectly adjusted, the coolant may not reach the upper floors or circulate through the pipelines too quickly. As a result of “too fast” circulation, sounds resembling a hum arise. To solve the problem, you will have to call a plumber to rebalance the system.
- Another option is possible as a result of repairing the main heating communications in the technical floor. If pipes of a smaller diameter were used or the number of pipe transitions was increased without recalculating the hydraulics, then the hydraulic connection of consumers already inside the building is disrupted. The solution is still the same: call a plumber to solve this issue. The simplest solution seems to be installing a balancing valve in front of the heating risers on the technical floor. But the most rational solution depends on each specific case.
- The last option is the fault of the tenant himself, that is, a violation of the apartment’s hydraulics. The situation may arise as a result of improper repairs or an attempt to independently regulate the heat supply to the apartment using a balancing valve. The heat supply to the apartment must be regulated by a professional. To correct the consequences of improper repairs, you will have to install a balancing valve at the entrance to the apartment. In the second case, it will be enough to return everything to its original position or call a plumber.
Balancing valve
Murmuring
In the case of gurgling, gurgling and other sounds of flowing water, the answer is clear: air locks are to blame. Air appears in heating systems for a variety of reasons. The most common:
- Pipe leakage
- Incorrect filling of the system with water
- Use of untreated water in heating.
In any case, there will be one solution: you need to bleed the air. Scientifically speaking, “de-air” the system. To do this you need to use the Mayevsky crane. Counterclockwise, the tap is opened half a turn using a screwdriver or a triangular wrench, the air comes out. After water starts flowing from the tap, the device also closes. If air locks occur on a regular basis, then you should contact a plumber to check the condition of the pipes in the house for leaks. Air can appear in heating systems as a result of leaks.
Clicks
Clicking noises are the result of metal rubbing against metal. They are the result of exposure to suspended particles or improper mounting of the radiator on the brackets. How to resolve such situations has already been said.
The noise may be caused by improper installation.
Noise in pipes with a working radiator
If the radiator is working properly, the source of noise can only be located in the basement. In the most unlikely cases, riser pipes or distribution pipes may make noise. This could be caused by a leak or faulty equipment in the basement.
That is, if no leaks were found, you will have to call a plumber to check the input unit. What could be wrong? There may be problems with the pump. This is the most common scenario where the pump has not been adjusted properly. Adjustment or replacement of the pump should only be carried out by a professional.
Vibrating inserts, which are installed so that pump vibration is not transmitted to the entire system, may become unusable. In this case, the inserts change. Another option, typical specifically for centralized heating, is a malfunction of the radiator or any of the communications as a result of water hammer. To fix this problem, you will have to replace the radiator or other damaged element.
How to make the pump run quieter
It is not recommended to try to restore silence in the house on your own, because you can do the opposite. If there is noise in the basement coming from pumping equipment or pipelines, immediately contact the management company or private specialists who will help you solve the problem.
Measures that can be taken:
- Installation of motor speed controller for pumping equipment. It should be noted here that installing a regulator will only really help if the pumping system has a certain power reserve, or operation at maximum speed is required at certain hours (for example, in the morning and evening).
- Installation of high-quality sound insulation in the room where pumping equipment operates. Very often, even in modern houses, technical rooms with large equipment are not insufficiently insulated from noise, as a result of which residents feel its impact.
- In cases where the pumping unit is mounted directly on the foundation and it is not possible to move it to another location, the foundation must be vibration-proofed.
- You can install anti-vibration elements on water supply and heating pipes. It is the vibration of pipes that often becomes the strongest source of noise.
- Experts also often solve the problem by vibration isolating pipeline support structures that are attached to the enclosing supports of the house. Suspended supports must be articulated. It is also recommended to place rubber gaskets under the pipeline.
Basement pump noise can be caused by a variety of factors. Therefore, immediately after its appearance, it is necessary to find out the reason. You should not think that the noise will go away - if the equipment is faulty or installed incorrectly, then the sound vibrations will only increase over the years.
If the pump is installed in your private home, then you can independently find out the cause of the noise. It's probably due to poor quality installation. In this case, you must contact the company whose employees installed the equipment.
Determining the source of unpleasant sounds and promptly eliminating it is the main plan of action for any conscious person. You should not tolerate constant noise from the pump if it interferes with your comfortable living in the apartment and relaxation.
Website editor-in-chief, civil engineer. He graduated from SibSTRIN in 1994, since then he worked for more than 14 years in construction companies, after which he started his own business. Owner of a company engaged in suburban construction.
