Pipes making ticking noise when heating comes on

Ticking and creaking from copper heating pipes is almost always thermal expansion — copper expands when hot water passes through it. This is entirely normal and not a sign of a fault.

The noise becomes problematic when pipes are tightly clipped against joists or run through tight holes in floorboards where the expanding pipe rubs against timber.

Locate where the noise is coming from — lie down and listen carefully as the heating comes on, or tap the floor to identify which floorboard is directly above the noise.

If the pipes run under the floor, you may need to lift a floorboard or two to investigate. Look for copper pipes with no sleeve running through a tight hole — fit a larger hole with a plastic pipe sleeve or foam lagging around the pipe where it passes through.

Replace any metal pipe clips against joists with plastic cushion clips or felt-lined clips — these allow the pipe to slide slightly as it expands and prevent clicking.

This is a common but non-urgent problem. Most homeowners live with it; solving it fully may require lifting several floorboards.