What is causing these noisy pipes...?

Question

My hot water and central heating go off around 9.30pm. Then as regular as clockwork the pipes start making noises at 10pm. It sounds quite loud and it's a dragging noise. Our house is only 10 months old can anyone give me advice on what is causing it or should I get a plumber in. The pipes only make a noise at night for about 30 mins.

Answer 1

I agree with Jason C. The people on here saying "it's a new house" are clueless.
The contractor should have installed an expansion tank already. Most likely they went on the cheap for actually putting brackets on the piping or even insulation. Call up the contractor and demand they fix it. This IS NOT normal. Nor should you have to put up with it especially if it's a new house.
The noise most likely is the hot water surging into your cold piping. In an old building it may be acceptable, in a new house NOT!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

When the central heating is on the pipes will heat up and expand. When the heating is turned off they cool down and contract, the contraction rate will be determined by the outside air temperature and if there is any drafts on to the pipes. As a result the contraction will be different to the expansion of the pipes. Given that its a new house and was probably build using the lowest cost suppliers, these may be an issue with how the pipes are supported or to be more accurate not supported.
Try to identify were the noise is coming from and look to see if the pipe work is hanging or rubbing against the wood work or other pipe work.
If the house was build less than a year ago it will still be covered by the builders, as them to come in and sort out there problem. Don't be put of with the old"Its a new house and it will take time for it to settle" line.

Answer 3

its the sound of you're water pipes expanding and contracting. this is quite normal in any house, especially as its new. all new houses will take at least 2 years to settle and during this time creaking, pipework noises and settlement cracks are the norm as the house settles on its foundations and all the materials dry out in the walls and floors.
if it continues after 2yrs get the builders back in to check it out

Answer 4

its just the hot water in the heating system ,normally it will work its way to the top of the house,usually the bathroom radiator,its not a problem,but do bleed the system regularly,starting from the furthest rad from the boiler,and working nearer,this will reduce these noise's and make your more efficient

Answer 5

A few questions: -does the noise occur on one specific faucet or all of the hot water faucets? -do you hear it while the water is running or when you shut it down? One possibility is that the washer is loose on the faucet and it is vibrating a causing the noise. Another is that there is a restriction somewhere in the line between the hot water heater and the faucet. This would be much harder to fix as you would have to narrow down the location of the restriction and remove it. Gerry.....Master Plumber

Answer 6

I would say that its as the water in the pipes is beginning to cool down. It happens in my house too. I asked the service man if this was normal and he said it was. Don't worry about it.

Answer 7

My boiler made a horrendous noise several times and when I rang the installers they said let us know when it happens and we will come out and look at it. Well I never knew when it was going to do it, so I couldn't let them know. It stopped doing it of it's own accord and is OK now,and it was a brand new boiler so it wasn't wear and tear.

Answer 8

at ten months old the contractor who did the install should warranty the work and fix it for free

Answer 9

sounds like you might need a Bladder (Expansion Tank) installed to prevent "Water hammer"

Answer 10

dont worry its only the pipework cooling down