Ticking or creaking pipes from the heating system
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Most likely cause & what to check
Ticking and creaking from heating pipes is caused by thermal expansion — copper pipes expand when hot water flows through them and contract when they cool. This is normal, but can usually be reduced.
The noise occurs where pipes touch or rub against joists, floorboards, or pipe clips. Locate the source by listening carefully — it will be loudest where the pipe moves against a fixed surface.
If the noise is under the floor, the pipe may be running through a notch or hole that's too tight. Enlarging the hole or sleeving the pipe with foam lagging where it passes through the joist allows it to expand freely.
Pipe clips that grip the pipe tightly prevent it from expanding. Replace with clips that have a small amount of play, or fit a felt or rubber strip between the clip and the pipe.
Check that pipes passing through walls are sleeved with foam or lagging. An exposed metal pipe rubbing against concrete or brick as it expands creates a loud creaking.
If the noise is sudden "crack" sounds rather than gradual ticking, a pipe clip may have completely failed and the pipe is moving more significantly. Inspect all accessible pipe runs and replace any missing or broken clips.
Reducing the boiler flow temperature slightly (from 80°C to 70°C) reduces the degree of thermal expansion and can make a noticeable difference to expansion noise.
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