Noisy plumbing any clues please?

Question

Every now and then we hear a noise like a deep vibrating in the water pipes which stops when you turn the tap on for a while, anyone know what's causing this and how it can be resolved. Or if a plumber is needed how much should it cost? Thanks.

Answer 1

Oh yes.. in my former house in Virginia....You are a victim of what is sometimes referred to as water hammer. The source of the problem is abnormally high water pressure in your water system. My guess is that your existing water pressure is 115 pounds per square inch (PSI) or higher. I'll bet you live at the bottom of a hill or near the lowest point of your municipal water system. The volume and weight of the water resting in the water mains above your house creates this high pressure. Some places in my city have main pressures that commonly exceed 150 PSI!

The cost..I would know know the plumbing charges in your area but it could cost as much as $300

You can barely see this pressure-reducing valve. It is the bell-shaped object close to the ground. High water pressure is wonderful for hosing down driveways or powering lawn sprinklers. However, it wreaks havoc with faucets, valves and water heater pressure valves. The hammering noise within your pipes is created when high velocity water flow is stopped abruptly. The average house has about 75 pounds of water within the piping system. When you rapidly shut off water to a fixture, the weight of the water crashes against the faucet, valve or sidewalls of the pipe. This creates the vibration and noise within the pipes.

The velocity of water flow in your pipes can be slowed considerably by up-sizing your water supply lines. In other words, try to run 3/4 inch pipe as close to fixture groups as possible. High pressure combined with high fixture water demand can cause water velocity to soar through smaller sized one half inch piping.

The problem can sometimes be solved by installing a pressure reducing valve in your water system.(Probably at the source coming into your house) This valve will tame the beast within your pipes. The valves are made with a handy adjustable screw that allows you to adjust the pressure on the house side of the water system. Factory settings are usually between 50 and 60 PSI. I happen to prefer a setting of 70 PSI. Settings at or near 70 PSI allow you to take vigorous shower

Answer 2

Caused by air trapped in the pipes creating turbulence in the system. If you can bleed the system this should fix the problem and save on a plumbers bill. Also may be due to a loose pipe which may need tied off and supported.

Answer 3

You've asked this twice! -- It's called 'water hammer' and is caused by unsecured pipework , probably below the floor, solution is to fit pipe clips to unsupported pipe, almost certainly a 15mm/half inch mains supply pipe. Easy diy job

Answer 4

There is a possibility that the pressure in your area is too high, maybe 4 Bars. You can buy a pressure reducer for fitting on the rising main to reduce it to say 1 bar if the previous suggestions have'nt worked.

Answer 5

sounds like a condition called water hammer, this occurs when long lengths of copper pipe are unsupported under floors.remedy,locate approximate point of noise ,lift floorboards and clip pipes securely

Answer 6

sounds like you got an air bubble in pipes somewhere try searching the net for diy or plumbing projects and they should help you sort it out yourself

Answer 7

Terry's answer is correct. Pipes are moving. Fasten them down.

Answer 8

you have air lock you need to run the tap full on untill all the air bubble comes off.

Answer 9

You have got to get that air out of the lines. Call me Ill do it.

Answer 10

Check your water pressure.