Check out some similar questions!

Desert_Rat · Sep 15, 2015, 09:16 AM

I live in a single story house. Every time after I flush the toilet in the Master Bath I can hear what sounds like water dripping from the ceiling two bedrooms down the hallway. That is the only place where I hear it. I do not hear it in the Master Bedroom or the bedroom next to it. I hear it from the ceiling two bedrooms away from the Master Bedroom ONLY. There is no signs of water or moisture anywhere. It sounds like dripping, then it gradually slows down and stops around 15 seconds later. Does anyone have a clue what's going on? Thanks in advance.

massplumber2008 · Sep 15, 2015, 09:59 AM

Hi DR

What you have there is simple expansion and contraction of the water pipe(s). Most likely, the only reason you hear it where you hear it is because the pipe was probably hung too tightly, or the pipe is rubbing up against a joist or a hole. I would NOT worry about it... happens in most homes in some way or another!

Good luck!

Mark

Desert_Rat · Sep 15, 2015, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Hi DR

What you have there is simple expansion and contraction of the water pipe(s). Most likely, the only reason you hear it where you hear it is because the pipe was probably hung too tightly, or the pipe is rubbing up against a joist or a hole. I would NOT worry about it... happens in most homes in some way or another!

Good luck!

Mark

Thanks, Mark. Would placing a water hammer arrestor at the point where water enters the toilet tank help? I have one around I could use. Just wondering.

ma0641 · Sep 15, 2015, 11:28 AM

Since it is cold water, expansion should be at a minimum. You can also get some "drips" as the last of the water flows out and drips from the wax ring to the connector pipe. 15 seconds sounds close to what I have heard. Water hammer arrestor should have no effect.

Desert_Rat · Sep 15, 2015, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by ma0641

Since it is cold water, expansion should be at a minimum. You can also get some "drips" as the last of the water flows out and drips from the wax ring to the connector pipe. 15 seconds sounds close to what I have heard. Water hammer arrestor should have no effect.

Thanks. But why would I hear the drips two bedrooms away ONLY and not near the toilet that gets flushed? Also, when I flush the other toilet in the guest bathroom, I do not hear any drips. Why only the toilet in the Master Bathroom? Maybe they are on different water lines? Since both bathrooms are close to each other, I would think that both toilets would share the same water line.

massplumber2008 · Sep 15, 2015, 01:02 PM

The pipe that feeds the particular bathroom (toilet) in question must rub against a hanger or a hole... pipe to other toilet must not, right? The fact is that this is a common problem in many homes, and if you see no water or water stains, there is no need to be concerned... expansion in these cases will not cause harm to the home... will just aggravate you a bit!

If you wanted to open the ceiling and walls and find the offending hanger or hole you could do that, but be clear that sound/vibration can travel great distances, so it is almost impossible to run down without great expense and time/effort!

As Ma0641 said, a water hammer arrestor will not help here.

Desert_Rat · Sep 15, 2015, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

The pipe that feeds the particular bathroom (toilet) in question must rub against a hanger or a hole... pipe to other toilet must not, right? The fact is that this is a common problem in many homes, and if you see no water or water stains, there is no need to be concerned... expansion in these cases will not cause harm to the home... will just aggravate you a bit!

If you wanted to open the ceiling and walls and find the offending hanger or hole you could do that, but be clear that sound/vibration can travel great distances, so it is almost impossible to run down without great expense and time/effort!

As Ma0641 said, a water hammer arrestor will not help here.

Thanks both of you. Now I can sleep without thinking the ceiling is going to cave in on me.