Tag: noisy pipes

Noisy Pipes

There are three common types of noise in plumbing systems:

Rattling When Water Is Turned On

Reasons for this type of sound are:

  • If the system is new or just been altered it could be air in the pipes.
  • With hydronic heating, or some solar systems it could  be steam in the pipes.
  • Pipes that are not well fixed and can move.

See Rattling or Thumping Pipes for suggested cures.

Whistling or Moaning When Water Is Running

This is known as Harmonic Vibration. Its usually due to  high water pressure combined with  partially open valves. Sometimes it can also be caused by pipes that are too small and/or too many bends.

Turning the Stop tap down a bit can reduce the problem.

Banging When Water Is Turned Off

A single sharp bang, sometimes followed by a shuddering vibration, may occur when a suddenly closed valve forces flowing water to stop abruptly. For example when a washing machine finishes filling.

You should take action to Stop Water Hammer as soon as possible. This is because each time it occurs the pipes are being subjected to the fatigue of  several waves of high pressure which can result in leaks in pipes and fixtures.

 

See Settling In for more information about when you move into your new house.

 

Water Hammer Cures

If you are getting water hammer in your new house it can be really annoying.

As the problem is caused by fast flowing water being stopped suddenly here are some options to cure it.

Slow the overall speed of flow down

Pressure, which affects the speed of water flow, does vary depending on your location. By turning down valves you will counteract the high pressure and slow the flow down.

These are both no cost options which are worth trying first.

    • To the whole house

If you have got very high pressure at your property you may be able to turn down the external stop tap to the house, while still getting plenty of flow to your taps.

    • To the washing machine and dishwasher

These appliances have separate supply valves which can be turned down. The machines will take a little longer to fill adding a couple of minutes to the wash time………..but how many of us are in that much of a rush!

Don’t stop the flow as fast

Lever action taps are the worst kind of taps for causing water hammer because they can be shut off quickly.

Softer slowing of flow, rather than a sudden stop will reduce water hammer.

These are three options to achieve a softer flow cut off in, listed in order of increasing cost.

    • Slowly turn off  taps.

The no cost option……….but doesn’t always work if you have got children, or just have fast ‘lever action’ taps or mixers.

    • Fit anti- hammer tap valves

These replace the Standard valve inserts with a unit that includes a spring. The spring allows any pressure surge to escape past it and means the tap need more of a turn, and thus longer time, to fully close.

Typically they cost around $6 each plus fitting.

Not  suitable for the more complex mixer units.

    • Fit a surge arrester

This device is fitted to the pipe before the valve. The cylinder  has a piston that separates the water from compressed air in the top.

When the valve shuts some of the water (and the pressure surge) is diverted into the arrester pushing the piston up and compressing the air. It acts a bit like car ‘shockers’ to slow the water flow.

There are several sizes of arrester depending on your system with prices starting at around $70 plus fitting.

Fit a Pressure Reducing Valves

See this link for more information: PRV

 

See Settling In for more information about when you move into your new house.

See Rattling and Thumping Pipes for more noise problems.

 

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