[tikeys]

Why is there a loud humming sound every five minutes in my main water pipe near the main shut off valve. Note this happens when there's no water running in the house? I do have a pressure reducing valve. Also my friend next door hears the noise to. I turned off his water main in his house and the noise stopped in my house, but when I turned my main water supply valve off and his back on he still could here the noise in his house. What do you make of that?

I have here that this noise can possible be caused by a leaky valve in a neighbors house, is that a fact? This is the first time that I have ever hered of a humming noise in a plumbing system. A friend also said that it could be coming from the city water main.

[hkstroud]

Do you have a pressure regulating valve?

[Milo Dolezal]

Do you have any plumbing fixture that uses water at five minute intervals?

I would guess your toilet is probably refilling in one of your bathrooms...

[massplumber2008]

Hey Tikeys:

Like Milo and Hkstroud suggested could be that water is running past a flapper at one of your toilets and engaging the water meter without you knowing about it (which would also engage the pressure regulator if you have one... see picture below).

Start at the meter where you hear the sound... lift lid on the meter if has flip lid and then watch the meter arrow (usually red) when you hear the sound. If it is moving when you aren't using water then most likely you have a leak at the toilet tank flapper assembly and you will need to confirm that and then replace the defective part.

Anyway, if confirm water is making the noise when knowone uses a fixture, then you go upstairs and place some food coloring in the toilet tank(s) and wait for 1-2 hours and then come back and see if the dye color has shown up in the toilet BOWL . If it has then you will need to remove the old flapper and take it over to home supply store to get a matching (or universal fit) flapper. If that doesn't fix it may be time to replace the FLUSH VALVE (see other picture below).. but one step at a time... ok?

Let us know what you think about this. Check at the meter and then try the dye test and get back to us!

MARK

[tikeys]

Do you have a pressure regulating valve?

Yes I do have a p.r.v. Also my friend next door hears the noise to. I turned off his water main in his house and the noise stooped in my house, but when I turned my main water supply valve off and his back on he still could here the noise in his house. What do you make of that?

[tikeys]

Do you have a pressure regulating valve?

Yes I do have a pressure reducing valve.

[tikeys]

Do you have any plumbing fixture that uses water at five minute intervals?

I would guess your toilet is probably refilling in one of your bathrooms...

No I don't.

[tikeys]

Hey Tikeys:

Like Milo and Hkstroud suggested could be that water is running past a flapper at one of your toilets and engaging the water meter without you knowing about it (which would also engage the pressure regulator if you have one...see picture below).

Start at the meter where you hear the sound...lift lid on the meter if has flip lid and then watch the meter arrow (usually red) when you hear the sound. If it is moving when you aren't using water then most likely you have a leak at the toilet tank flapper assembly and you will need to confirm that and then replace the defective part.

Anyway, if confirm water is making the noise when knowone uses a fixture, then you go upstairs and place some food coloring in the toilet tank(s) and wait for 1-2 hours and then come back and see if the dye color has shown up in the toilet BOWL . If it has then you will need to remove the old flapper and take it over to home supply store to get a matching (or universal fit) flapper. If that doesn't fix it may be time to replace the FLUSH VALVE (see other picture below)..but one step at a time...ok??

Let us know what you think about this. Check at the meter and then try the dye test and get back to us!!

MARK

This is good info. Will check and get back to you.