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pkay26 · Nov 11, 2011, 05:54 AM

I get this constant thumping from the pipes in my shower stall downstairs, the noise vibrates to our bedroom upstairs. The shower has not been used in a while, the sound comes in randomly, i.e 1am last night and now 8am in the morning, it seems to be getting more regular, is driving me crazy as it vibrates upstairs

FredDerf · Nov 17, 2011, 04:17 PM

Going out on a limb here, but it could be escaping pockets of air, slowly being released as water evaporates over time. Also, could some sort of small creature possibly have made its way in there from a vent? Try running some water through for a while if you can, and see if it makes a difference.

massplumber2008 · Nov 17, 2011, 07:46 PM

Hi all..

I'll go with the animals thing fredderf, but not the air pockets/evaporation thing... not how plumbing works!

However, with that said, got to be clear that sounds and smells are just super tricky to guess at online.

I'd advise Pkay26 to take some time trying to track down the sound(s)... they are there and can really do the best job here!

Mark

pkay26 · Nov 21, 2011, 08:14 AM

Thanks Fred, I tried running water it helped, any idea how to fix it for good, the noise keeps coming back

speedball1 · Nov 21, 2011, 08:30 AM

Going along with Mark on tracking down the noise.
Sounds = vibration. If you can locate where the vibration's the strongest you have a good starting point. B Good luck, Tom

pkay26 · Nov 21, 2011, 12:14 PM

Thanks Mark,
I don't know if it can be an animal, it just comes and goes , more so early in the morning... not all day . There are no smells and the piping I think it comes from is the shower stall downstairs in the basement. As tha is where the noise is the loudest and I feel the stall 'banging' inside. The problem is the shower is fully tiled, not sure if the only way to fix it is to break the tiles, We live in a split level bungalow.Our Bedroom is right above the shower stall, the noise vibrates upwards.

speedball1 · Nov 21, 2011, 12:39 PM

This wouldn't be a duplex where another unit shares your drainage is it?

the noise vibrates to our bedroom upstairs. The shower has not been used in a while,

Run water in the shower to keep a seal in the trap.
Is there a time of day when it's worse? Are there any gurgles or burps? The sound does come from the shower drain and not the valve correct?
Back to you, Tom

pkay26 · Nov 21, 2011, 01:31 PM

Hi speedball, not we do not live in a duplex, it's a split level bungalow. It seems to be more early in the morning between or very late at night, from what I recall.
There are no gurgles or burps, I think it is from the shower head/taps, not the drains, when I put my hand on the tiles stall, I feel the vibration/ thumping.Is it a loose pipe?

speedball1 · Nov 21, 2011, 01:49 PM

Ahh! I was thinking drain. This makes it easier to track down. Pump or city water? If it's city water do you have a PRV( pressure reducing valve) installed where the water enters your house? When the thumping starts does it make the water fluctuate out of a tap? Let me know, Tom

pkay26 · Nov 21, 2011, 04:45 PM

Hi yes we have city water, not sure about the valves, will need to find out more, I only see an on/off tap where the water main is in our house. I will double check water fluctuations in the bathroom, especially when the thumping comes on. Thnks will keep you posted

speedball1 · Nov 21, 2011, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by ;

not sure about the valve, will need to find out more,

A PRV valve looks like this, (see image) and if you have one my bet's on that. This valve will be located near where the water enters your house. Cheers, Tom

pkay26 · Nov 21, 2011, 05:43 PM

Thanks speed, does somehting have to be done to this valve.. the thumping sound justcame on, for 5 minutes and then stopped

speedball1 · Nov 21, 2011, 05:48 PM

does somehting have to be done to this valve..

I don't know. Do you have such a valve installed? Let me know. Tom

pkay26 · Dec 9, 2011, 09:27 AM

Hi Tom... I don't have such a valve, just a twist/water valve the circular one that you turn around to switch on and off

speedball1 · Dec 9, 2011, 02:16 PM

My bad! I should have asked. Is this a single family residence or a condo/duplex? Are there other units using the system? Back to you, Tom

pkay26 · Dec 9, 2011, 09:12 PM

Single family residence

speedball1 · Dec 9, 2011, 09:28 PM

Have you pulled the lids on your toilets and checked water level? If you were losing water and the ballcock kicked on and off at times as a ballcock snaps shut you will hear a thump if your air chambers need charging. That's about all I can come up with that would make a "thump". Cheers, Tom

pkay26 · Dec 10, 2011, 07:43 AM

Thanks Tom, will take a look.. appreciate your help on this :)

pkay26 · Dec 20, 2011, 04:07 PM

Hi Tom
As per your answer
"Have you pulled the lids on your toilets and checked water level? If you were loosing water and the ballcock kicked on and off at times as a ballcock snaps shut you will hear a thump if your air chambers need charging. That's about all I can come up with that would make a "thump". Cheers, Tom"

I think it is my toilet, because when I turn it off ( the valve on the floor that is) the thumping sound I hear vibrating around that area disappears. How do I resolve this i.e do I need a new ballcock or can it be adjusted, I have just moved so this is all new to me

Thanks so much

massplumber2008 · Dec 20, 2011, 05:34 PM

Hi Pkay

Do a dye test on the toilet tank. Here, drop 15-20 drops of a dark food coloring into the toilet TANK. If colored water shows up in the toilet BOWL over the next half hour the toilet tank FLAPPER needs to be replaced... ;)

If no color shows up in the toilet bowl the issue could be at the fill valve or the shutoff going to the toilet.

Try the dye test first and let us know what you find, OK?

Mark