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    mikemcs's Avatar
    mikemcs Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Dec 7, 2009, 01:23 PM
    Pipes make noise when turning off water
    When I shut off the water I get a Fog Horn sound coming from my pipes. I can not tell where is really coming from as a I heard it from from all over. It does not seem to any certain faucet that causing the problem, I have heard it from the upstairs shower, upstairs kitchen sink, downstairs bathroom sink and even the laundry which is also downstairs. I have read several post here about knocking and I would say it is not a knocking should but more like a fog horn or a tuning fork.

    The home is about 6 years old and is on the market so I need to get this fixed. Any ideas would help greatly.
    InfoJunkie4Life's Avatar
    InfoJunkie4Life Posts: 1,409, Reputation: 81
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    #2

    Dec 7, 2009, 03:48 PM

    It is called resonance. There is an area of pipes in your house that has an exact sized opening. This allows the water to create a frequency when the exact flow rate is accomplished. It can be compared to whistling or when you blow at a piece of paper on the table and it flutters.

    When you turn off the water, do it slowly. Try to get the sound to become persistent. Then try to track it down. It will be hard because the pipes carry sound better than air, so it will seem like it is coming from everywhere. It will be noticeably louder at the source; sometimes you can even see the pipes vibrate.

    This can also be caused by a trapped air bubble. Once you find the source, replace it or tap it moderately to see if you can relieve the bubble.

    If you don't mind it too much, it won't hurt anything. It's just some vibrations in your wall...

    There is an off chance it could be that your pressure is too high also. Anything over 60-80psi can cause whistling water pipes. I read something about the washers in the faucets, but that would only occur when that faucet is being used, not when the washer or any other sink was being used.

    Good Luck
    mikemcs's Avatar
    mikemcs Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Dec 7, 2009, 04:54 PM
    O k I can track the noise down to the valve that supplies the downstairs toilet. I can cut the water supply off, flush the toilet and the slow turn the knob back to the supply and bam I have a tuba coming from my pipes that you can hear through the whole house.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #4

    Dec 8, 2009, 06:59 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by mikemcs View Post
    o k I can track the noise down to the valve that supplies the downstairs toilet. I can cut the water supply off, flush the toilet and the slow turn the knob back to the supply and bam I have a tuba coming from my pipes that you can hear through the whole house.
    Turn the water off to the house and open up the angle stop. (see image).
    Seat the washer in firmly and look for any trash in the valve body. Now hold a pan over the open valve and have someone turn the water vback on for a few seconds to flush out the supply. Reassemble and test. Better now? Good luck, Tom
    cyberheater's Avatar
    cyberheater Posts: 321, Reputation: 12
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    #5

    Dec 8, 2009, 10:18 AM

    Tuba, foghorn... you could rig something up for a Christmas music and have people pay to get in. (smile)

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