[excon]

Hello:

My hot water pipes knock and the water seems to come out like a shower massage. I think they're going to bust though. Something's wrong.

excon

[plumberman]

Can u give a little more info... sounds like a loose pipe in the wall but at the same time it sounds like you have gotten air in the line some how

[excon]

Hello plumberman;

Thanks. I don't know. When I take a shower I hear it banging and the water comes out like a shower massage. I don't think the pipes are loose. But, I have no idea.

excon

[speedball1]

Excon, Nice to see you again. We knew each other from the old Answerway.
Ordinarily knocking pipes would mean water hammer but you seem to have more of a vibration then a bang. Vibration's caused by the water rushing by something that's loose. This puts the focus on the shower valve. What brand and type of shower valve do you have? One handle or two knobs? Has the city done any work on the street main lately? Has any work been done in your house of late? Back to you Excon. Cheers, Tom

[excon]

Hello Tom:

And, even Askme.com before that. Of course I remember you. I'm doing great. Nice to see you still kicking the old pipes.

I can't read the name on it. It looks like a low flow. I have one handle. It happens in the kitchen sink too.

excon

[speedball1]

It happens in the kitchen sink too.

Are you saying that you can turn on either faucet and get vibration? Does it happen more on hot water then cold? Have you tried to track it down by feeling where the vibration's the strongest? Any other fixtures affected? Regards, Toim

[excon]

Are you saying that you can turn on either faucet and get vibration? Does it happen more on hot water then cold?

Hello again, Tom:

Yup. Either one. Pretty sure it's just hot. It sounds like it's vibrating down stairs.

excon

[speedball1]

Gas or electric water heater?

[excon]

Hello again, Tom:

Gas.

excon

[speedball1]

One possibility is the heater itself. If you do not flush,(not drain) your heater on a regular basis it will build up mineral on the bottom of the tank. When the flame comes on it turns the water trapped under the mineral to steam and the steam escaping is the vibration you hear. Let me show you how to flush your heater. Attach a hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run until the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) and some white grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). The whole thing shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. If the problem still persists after you have flushed, you will have to drain the heater, remove the boiler drain and go up in the bottom of the tank with a wood or plastic rod, (not metal) and try to break up the mineral and flush it out. Good luck and let me know if it helps. Tom