Noisy Central Heating
Banging, gurgling, ticking, or clicking sounds from radiators, pipes, or the boiler when the heating is running.
What Is Causing This?
- 1Air trapped in the system causing gurgling
- 2Pipes expanding and contracting against joists
- 3Sludge causing kettling in the boiler heat exchanger
How Urgent Is This?
This is a cosmetic issue. It is not causing damage and can be addressed in your own time.
What Needs to Be Done
A heating engineer will bleed radiators, check pipe clips are secure with expansion room, and flush the system if sludge is the cause.
How Much Will It Cost?
National average estimate
Labour: £565 – £1,488 | Materials: £363 – £1,238
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Ask a QuestionHow to Prevent This
Bleed radiators at the start of each heating season. Ensure pipes pass through joists with adequate clearance. Keep inhibitor levels topped up.
Related Problems
Radiators that are hot at the top but cold at the bottom, reducing heat output.
Loud banging, kettling, or rumbling sounds coming from the boiler, particularly when the heating or hot water comes on.
One or more radiators stay cold or only warm up partially while others in the house work normally.
Other Heating Engineer Problems
Radiators that are hot at the top but cold at the bottom, reducing heat output.
The room thermostat does not respond, displays incorrectly, or the heating does not follow the set temperature.
Underfloor heating that has stopped producing heat or heats unevenly across the floor.
The house takes a very long time to reach the set temperature, with radiators warming up slowly.