Home pipes make noise ONLY when water is running??
#1
04-22-20, 02:19 PM
Home pipes make noise ONLY when water is running??
Hi All, I need some advice. We moved into our home in 2009 (built in 2002) and it has PEX plumbing throughout the home, with the manifold in the attic. The water pressure has never been very strong but it was OK enough to use. About 8 months ago we started hearing what sounded like a 'pumping or pulsing' sound when the water would be turned on in the house. The noise would STOP when the water was turned OFF. It happens every-time the toilet tank fills (after being flushed), when the clothes washer fills the wash tub, and when we turn the hose in the front of the house (where the water from the street comes in). It sometimes happens when someone is in the shower, or when two or more sinks have water running at the same time. Recently, the noise has gotten quite LOUD when water is running, and we have noticed that the cold water pipe (that goes into the water heater), is vibrating a little. I know that water hammer is caused when flowing water is turned off, but I have no idea of what could cause the noise when water is running?? I called the water department, because they had recently done some work on our street, and they came out to measure the water pressure. The water department rep tested the water at the street and said it was 80 lbs, and the pressure at the hose bib on the front of the house is 70 lbs. I wondered if it might be a case of a bad water pressure regulator (PRV valve) on the front of the house failing, causing the water pressure to be too high coming into the house. but then I remembered, the water pressure in the house has never been high, and still isn't even with the noise. The bathrooms were always OK pressure-wise but the kitchen sink water pressure is pathetic. I'm stumped? Any thoughts, suggestions or advice is welcome and I thank all in advance for their assistance!
#2
04-22-20, 03:31 PM
Group Moderator
A tough one.
Is everything in the house fed by Pex ?
If everything is fed independently from the manifold.... is everything turned on all the way.
Is the manifold fed at least 3/4" from the incoming water service ?
Is everything in the house fed by Pex ?
If everything is fed independently from the manifold.... is everything turned on all the way.
Is the manifold fed at least 3/4" from the incoming water service ?
#3
04-22-20, 04:43 PM
The whole house is PEX plumbing. The water pipe from the street is 3/4. I am trying to get one of my kids to come over and get a picture of the manifold (in the attic) for me to see. I am way too old to get up on a ladder and California is stopping people sometimes because of the corona-virus, so it may take a couple of days to check out the manifold. But my guess is that everything is being fed by the single manifold because this is a tract home and I can't see them spending an xtra penny to install a second manifold for the rear of the house.
#4
04-22-20, 04:47 PM
Group Moderator
#6
04-23-20, 11:45 AM
OH, yeah.. when we were looking for for our home years ago, every slab home with PEX in it had the manifold in the garage, and most of them were neatly tagged and ID'ed. Of course we get one with the manifold in the attic. We have a family member who rents the same model house in our tract and their manifold is in the attic as well. I should say that the builder was sued by all the homeowners, just as we were moving in, for all the shoddy construction work and defects. The builder stalled it out until the homeowners couldn't stay with it anymore. I will look for a PRV rebuild kit or a new PRV but those can be expensive.
#7
04-23-20, 12:07 PM
I've found that the vibrating sound while water is being used is often caused by a loose or degraded washer in a valve. When they get bad, it can start sounding like a jackhammer.
Since it happens with pretty much all of your faucets, my guess would be the washer in the PRV is bad or loose. Unfortunately, I don't really know a test for it other than replacing or bypassing the PRV.
I've seen it mostly with toilet fills, but I don't think that's your issue since it happens with all/most of your faucets.
Since it happens with pretty much all of your faucets, my guess would be the washer in the PRV is bad or loose. Unfortunately, I don't really know a test for it other than replacing or bypassing the PRV.
I've seen it mostly with toilet fills, but I don't think that's your issue since it happens with all/most of your faucets.
