Loud hum/vibration in pipes
#1
10-23-22, 05:51 PM
Loud hum/vibration in pipes
Ok so yesterday I replaced the PRV on the water coming into my house. Did it myself and wondering what I messed up...
Now almost every time someone run the water in in house,, a few seconds later we get this loud hum, which could be a fast vibration. It's not the typical banging you might hear. This is different. And I believe it's right at the spot where the PRV is. It sounds worrisome. It makes that sound for about 30 seconds and then stops. And it's not 100t% of the time water is turned on but almost every time.
what could I have done when I removed the old PRV and installed this one. One thing to add is the PRV - original from when the house was built 22 years ago - would not come off easily. I eventually had to hit it Hard with a hammer to get it to unscrew. I fear I damaged something in that process.
Now almost every time someone run the water in in house,, a few seconds later we get this loud hum, which could be a fast vibration. It's not the typical banging you might hear. This is different. And I believe it's right at the spot where the PRV is. It sounds worrisome. It makes that sound for about 30 seconds and then stops. And it's not 100t% of the time water is turned on but almost every time.
what could I have done when I removed the old PRV and installed this one. One thing to add is the PRV - original from when the house was built 22 years ago - would not come off easily. I eventually had to hit it Hard with a hammer to get it to unscrew. I fear I damaged something in that process.
#2
10-24-22, 12:48 PM
Group Moderator
Did you have to readjust the pressure ?
Do you have a gauge to see what the house pressure is ?
Do you have a gauge to see what the house pressure is ?
#4
10-25-22, 06:53 AM
Hi all, so couple answers:
- I did not even have to touch the pressure "screw". I have a pressure gauge installed about 2 feet away and its been reading 55 psi since install
- As far as the flow, phew, I'm happy to say I did notice that when installing and its in the right direction.
Anyway, the sound hasnt happened in about a day. Last time it did I ran down and it definitely seemed to be originating right at the water meter device. And it seemed to only happen after I closed the spigot or whatever thing was running water stopped. I dont know anything about how those meter work, but it seemed like after water ran for a bit and shut off, the meter maybe did something like sent a signal outside?
Anyway for now its stopped. will continue to monitor.
- I did not even have to touch the pressure "screw". I have a pressure gauge installed about 2 feet away and its been reading 55 psi since install
- As far as the flow, phew, I'm happy to say I did notice that when installing and its in the right direction.
Anyway, the sound hasnt happened in about a day. Last time it did I ran down and it definitely seemed to be originating right at the water meter device. And it seemed to only happen after I closed the spigot or whatever thing was running water stopped. I dont know anything about how those meter work, but it seemed like after water ran for a bit and shut off, the meter maybe did something like sent a signal outside?
Anyway for now its stopped. will continue to monitor.
#5
10-25-22, 07:49 PM
Group Moderator
There is a diaphragm inside the valve that can cause that noise.
If it starts again... you may want to get it exchanged for another one.
If it starts again... you may want to get it exchanged for another one.
bheron
voted this post useful.
#6
11-07-22, 09:14 AM
Hi all, just wanted to provide an update. I actually had the water company out to look at it (thought it was the water meter maybe). Duh. Nope its definitely the PRV I installed. Basically he said the valve is not doing its job, probably b/c the pressure of the water coming in is too high and the valve can't handle it. So just by turning the screw allowing more pressure, specifically going from 55PSI to 65PSI resolved the noise problem. I tried to turn it down to 60 and the noise came back. So two options:
1) keep pressure at 65
2) Similar to Pete's comment above, remove and get a better quality one. The current one I just bought is a Watts from Lowes.
Funny though, after he left, I was wondering...if the pressure from the city water is too high...isnt that your job, Water Company? :-) Maybe not. But I think I'll return this one after I look for a better quality PRV.
1) keep pressure at 65
2) Similar to Pete's comment above, remove and get a better quality one. The current one I just bought is a Watts from Lowes.
Funny though, after he left, I was wondering...if the pressure from the city water is too high...isnt that your job, Water Company? :-) Maybe not. But I think I'll return this one after I look for a better quality PRV.
#7
11-07-22, 09:48 AM
I don't see any reason to not keep it set to 65psi. Residential plumbing and devices are rated up to 80psi, so you're still well within the guidelines.
Watts makes quality PRVs, so maybe it's just a cheaper one? I've never run into that specific issue. Though if 5 psi is causing issues, I probably would replace it with a higher quality one - since I'd assume you'll run into the same issue in a few years as it starts to naturally wear.
Watts makes quality PRVs, so maybe it's just a cheaper one? I've never run into that specific issue. Though if 5 psi is causing issues, I probably would replace it with a higher quality one - since I'd assume you'll run into the same issue in a few years as it starts to naturally wear.
