Roca Kettling / Water Hammer in Heat Exchanger

Furnace makes loud banging or knocking noises when starting or stopping

Advertisements

Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

Advertisements

Possible Causes

Limescale buildup in Roca heat exchanger, Incorrect pump speed, Air pockets in system, Rapid temperature rise due to low flow

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Turn off power and allow the system to cool before touching pipes or the boiler casing.

  • Bleed system: Remove air from radiators and any high-point vents. Refill and pressurize the system correctly.
  • Adjust pump speed: Increase pump speed to improve flow through the heat exchanger, reducing rapid boiling.
  • Check valves: Ensure all radiator and isolation valves are open and that no bypass valve is incorrectly set.
  • Descale (professional): If noises persist, the primary heat exchanger may need chemical descaling or replacement by a technician.

Warning: Severe kettling can damage the heat exchanger. Do not ignore persistent banging noises.

Advertisements

Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Primary Heat Exchanger
Check Price on Amazon

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Advertisements