OK to run heating pipes like this? waterhammer?

tigerstyle

tigerstyle

tigerstyle

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Joined
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Just had central heating installed in a 70's semi, floorboards were pretty roughly circular sawed to make the required access panels.

The heating was on the other day and the pipes under the floor were vibrating like crazy, I believe this is classic waterhammer. But would securely fixing the pipes stop this, or does the cause of the hammer need to be fixed elsewhere?
Had a google, sounds like a TRV is the wrong way around, it's a massive vibration not a hammer type bang really.

Should the pipes be clipped/held down anyway?

Also how the board has been cut, the small width at the top of the stairs is now very flexible and not all that strong, so we're looking to replace the whole board with new, leaving the section infront of the bathroom as is.

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Also think the supports they've added over the other bedroom threshold is pretty chintzy, so will look to sort that.
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i believe that "water hammer" is caused by airlock inside the pipes, rather than a vibration of pipes.

Personally I would be clipping those pipes down and seeing if it improves the situation, if not then time to call a plumber
 
Water hammer is normally the quick shutting off of a flow of water. You can get air pocket devices that go on the pipe.. so when the water is shut off the air is compressed in the bulb, softening the brake of water.
 
Co help clip the pipe down if needed. But put some bits of Felt Pipe Sleeving at every pint the pipe crosses a beam or touches any thing
 
Thanks for the input, probably going to buy a length of foam insulation to cover the pipes at joists? Cheaper and easier than felt.

Still need to check if the pipes vibrating can be removed by other means first. Not tracked down that cause yet.
 
I'd put some galvanised plates over the pipes as well to save yourself from putting a nail through them in the future.
 
Some TRVs can be fitted either way round i believe. Pipe insulation around the pipes at joists should help.
 
acake said:
Co help clip the pipe down if needed. But put some bits of Felt Pipe Sleeving at every pint the pipe crosses a beam or touches any thing
Click to expand...
This particularly under the pipe
I'd put some galvanised plates over the pipes as well to save yourself from putting a nail through them in the future.
Click to expand...
Good suggestion here too:)
 
Water hammer is largely a product of pipe run geometry and the speed of valve closures. Sink taps are normally the biggest culprits as quarter turn valves can stop the flow very very quickly. A few bends in the pipe will do wonders as the changes in direction reduce the degree of pile up. It is also possible to get small compensators to put in the line which will absorb the pressure of the water hammer.

But that said a vibrating pipe doesn't sound like water hammer which will sound like a dull bang. A fluttering valve is probably to cause, maybe a duff TRV, or like you say one in the wrong way around. It shouldn't hurt to dampen in with a rubber lined clamp but it needs to be free enough to expand and contract with heat.
 
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