Starting 2 nights ago when the upstairs toilet is flushed, there is a loud noise and rumbling vibration (sounds/feels like there's a jackhammer outside) that lasts for about 10 seconds (feels like forever). Doesn't matter what's in the toilet...can just be a "test flush" and rumbling still happens. First time it happened, I was down stairs, my wife was upstairs, she flushed and I thought someone was in our backyard with powertools. This cant be good...any ideas? Thanks!
2007-07-08 11:48:45 · 9 answers · asked by jnugent7619 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Could it be "water hammer"?
2007-07-08 12:44:11 · update #1
Before you go to any extremes of cutting your walls open to brace your pipes open the tank of the toilet. There's what we call a fill valve and what you might call a ball cock. Its the valve that allows the water to enter the tank when its flushed and it should have a float on it that shuts off the fill valve when the tank is full. You say this rumble happens for about 10 seconds then goes off. Well it goes off when the fill valve shuts off. Go to a hardware store and get a GOOD fill valve/ballcock. They a fairly cheap but dont get the cheapest one. Spend about 15 bucks and get a good one. I'll almost guarantee that's the problem!! (although there is no money back guarantee for this answer) If you need to know how to install in then shoot me an email but read the directions of the new one and it should tell you how! I should really charge for this advice!!
2007-07-08 16:18:55 · answer #1 · answered by Tripping Billies 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
A "water hammer" is caused by water hitting the corners of the pipes. Pipes, contrary to what you might think, are not "filled" with water, they are only partially filled with water on the horizontal runs (I know, it's hard to believe, but trust me on this one). When there is a surge of water, the water/air moves quickly down the pipes and slams into the pipe bends, thus causing the "hammer".
If you want to isolate the cause of your "hammer", then you need to try a few things first. It's either a "high pressure" problem, or a "low pressure" problem. By this I mean "supply" or "drain". Get a bucket, fill it with water and pour it down your toilet. If you get the sound without pushing down the handle to "flush", it means it's a low pressure, or drain problem. If this happens, it could be a vent that is clogged with leaves, debris or a bird's nest. To fix this problem, go on your roof and with a hose, run water down your vent. This usually clears the blockage. If your toilet drains without making any strange sounds, then it's a "high pressure" problem.
To find out what's causing the problem, turn off the valve to your fill tank, flush your toilet to drain it as best you can, then disconnect the hose at the bottom of your tank. Hold the hose over your toilet bowl, or if it won't reach, into a bucket, and open the valve at the wall. If you get a hammer, it's the valve; if you don't get a hammer, it's your fill valve in the toilet tank.
If it's the wall valve, turn off your main water line and open a faucet downstairs so the water will drain below the wall valve. Change your wall valve, turn the water back on and try again. If you still get a hammer sound, you'll need to either get a plumber or start checking for any other changes (I doubt this will happen).
If it was the fill valve in the tank, you'll need to replace it. You don't need to replace it with the same style valve as there are many types available. Take your old unit out and take it with you down to the local hardware store and tell them you want a new one of these, but one that's very reliable.
This should fix your problem with the least amount of guesswork.
2007-07-15 04:15:37 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin S 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Water hammer is usually on a pressure line and is solved with a small expansion loop installed in the cold water line.If your noise is on a waste line air is the culprit,your vent line may be partially clogged. I once had to go up on the roof and put a snake down the vent line because excessive leaves in the vent had clogged it. Its hard to diagnose long distance I would guess its water hammer by the way you describe it.
2007-07-16 08:53:00 · answer #3 · answered by petethen2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What might be wrong, is the angle stop,(that is at the wall, before the toilet), inside the stop is a washer held in place by a screw, that screw could have loosened, and the washer is now 'flopping' inside the stop.
Turn the water off to the house, open the lowest faucet in the house(to remove pressure) remove the nut behind the stop handle, and tighten the screw holding the washer in place.
2007-07-15 02:58:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have "water hammer"...it is either loose pipes air in the lines... you can also purchase a water hammer arrestor and install it yourself if you know how to sweat copper pipes
2007-07-08 14:41:34 · answer #5 · answered by cacowboy_06 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah loose pipes
2007-07-08 12:30:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
ya got some loose pipes that can be resecured to a joist or wall stud.
2007-07-08 12:38:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bathroom pipe problem.
2007-07-12 08:47:08 · answer #8 · answered by txpainthorse 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes i had that before it is the pipes:) check the pipes or your toilet is loose:)
2007-07-08 11:53:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋