Those Noises Don't Mean Your House Is Haunted; That's Just the Boiler

What Do Different, Scary Boiler Sounds Mean?

The Halloween season can be creepy in more ways than just spooky traditions. For homeowners, fall's cooler temperatures mean that they are firing up their heating systems for the first time in months. After sitting idle for months, homeowners nervously go through start-up procedures hoping no gremlins have taken residence in their boilers over the summer. 

Often, creepy noises are the first indication that something is spooky is happening inside the boiler. No. It's probably not ghosts. It usually means it's time to schedule a visit for boiler service. 

Banging Noises in the Basement

Banging noises coming from a boiler system are one of the most common noises. The banging noise can be genuinely unsettling for homeowners that are hearing it for the first time. However, the banging noises have a simple cause that can be rectified by a simple procedure. 

Banging noises in a boiler are caused by the same process that causes knocking inside a hot water tank. As water sits inside a vessel, it is common that sediment settles out into the lowest parts of the system. Coincidentally, this means that sediment and scale will build up mostly in a boiler's heat exchanger. As the boiler begins a heating cycle, heat gets trapped under the scale and causes the water to boil. The banging sound is caused by the water vapor bubbles collapsing as they escape from underneath the scale. 

To fix banging noises in a boiler, the system must be drained and refilled. Draining or flushing the system will sweep away the scale. In regions with hard water, these problems will be more common, so installing water softeners and using softened water to refill the boiler will prevent this situation in the future. 

Rattling in the Hallway

Rattling noises coming from a boiler can sound like things going bump in the night, but it's usually just an indicator that something is loose. Rattling noises aren't necessarily located right in the boiler tank; sometimes, they occur along the piping or at radiators or baseboards heaters. 

To stop noises caused by rattling, check all valves, covers, and piping for security. Sometimes the fix is as simple as tightening a pipe that has loosened its clips. If this doesn't fix the problem, call a professional. Rattling can sometimes indicate the need for a system to be bled and pressurized. 

Humming in the Attic

Humming can sound like the screams of a banshee in the night, but usually, it's just an indicator that flow is too high in a boiler system. In any plumbing system, humming noises indicate turbulent water flow. Turbulent flow is expected in incoming cold water lines since colder water is denser and more highly pressurized. 

To fix humming noises, have a professional check the water pressure in a boiler. Pressure regulators can go bad and allow high pressure into a plumbing system. All that needs to happen is to have the regulator turned down. If this doesn't fix the problem, pumps might be turned to high within the boiler system, causing a turbulent flow. Turning down throttling valves can easily fix this. Kettling, another sign of boiler malfunction, should be looked at with the same care.

About Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning 

Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning have been serving customers since 1962. They offer a full line of heating, cooling, and air quality services. Custom-tailored solutions and service are what have kept their customers coming back for nearly 60 years. Contact them today for reliable boiler services in Boston, MA!

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