Common noises and causes
Different noises usually mean different things:
| Noise | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Ticking or creaking as it warms | Pipes expanding against floorboards or clips |
| Gurgling | Air in the system |
| Banging or knocking | Air, high flow, loose pipes or overheating |
| Humming | Pump speed or vibration |
| Kettling from the boiler | Limescale or sludge in the heat exchanger |
Heating noises and likely causes
What you can do
Bleeding radiators often cures gurgling. Ticking from expanding pipes is usually harmless, though pipes can be re-clipped or given more clearance under floors. Banging, humming or noises from the boiler itself are worth getting checked.
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When to call an engineer
Call a heating engineer if the boiler is making unusual noises, if banging is loud or new, or if noises come with pressure loss, leaks or the boiler locking out.
