Radiator making clicking or ticking noise
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Most likely cause & what to check
Clicking and ticking from radiators as they heat up and cool down is almost always thermal expansion — the metal expanding and contracting as temperature changes. This is normal and harmless in most cases.
If the noise is very loud or persistent, check where the pipe runs through floorboards or joists — the pipe may be resting against timber without sufficient clearance. Heat-resistant felt pipe clips can eliminate this (£2–£5 per clip).
Check radiator brackets — loose brackets allow the radiator to move as it expands, causing creaking against the wall. Tighten the bracket screws.
Persistent clicking from the TRV itself can indicate the TRV pin is sticking — remove the TRV head and ensure the pin moves freely.
If the clicking is a rapid metallic sound at irregular intervals (not just on heat-up), this can indicate a limescale or sludge problem and is worth reporting to a heating engineer.
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