Noisy Water Pipes
Q: Since we have been on higher
water pressure from a new source, we
are getting more noise in the pipes.
Not banging or clunking, just more
water moving through the system
faster, kind of a "rushing" noise.
The pipe into the house is plastic,
then hooks into copper pipe. The
noise reverberates down the whole
line, and since the pipe is strapped
to the floor joists, it makes the
noise under the kitchen, bathroom
and one bedroom. I know about having
a foot or so of capped pipe going up
from a line to trap air and cushion
the noise of "on" and "off"
clunking, but this has me stumped. I
am at the point now where I am about
ready to rip the strapping off and
putting foam around the pipes before
I strap them back up. Before I spend
the money on this, I thought I would
check with you to see if that is
what I need to do, or can you
suggest something else ? Thanks very
much.
A: A reduction of 1.5:1 (typically
3/4" to 1/2" is commonly used to
increase or maintain water pressure
throughout a house. The theory is
that, given constant supply
pressure, restricting volume will
increase velocity. Released pressure
at a fixture will be compensated for
by this increased velocity.
I expect your hot and cold supply
pipes are 1/2 inch diameter. What
diameter is the plastic feed? If the
reduction is greater than 1.5:1 it's
quite likely that the velocity is
great enough to cause noise in the
pipe.
Check that all the shut-off valves
(below the sinks etc.) are
completely open. They too, can cause
turbulence/noise by restricting
water flow. Also, check all the
pipes to see if there are any
crushed or dented sections.
Foam wrap is a great for insulating
purposes, but perhaps a little too
soft for noise damping (it would
crush flat). By all means, wrap the
pipes, but use denser rubber for
vibration pads. Extra bracing (for
clamping to) might also help.
Alternative: Before you start
pulling out nails, check the water
velocity at your fixtures, and if it
is extremely high, a pressure
reducing valve can be installed on
the supply line.
Copyright Gil Strachan - All rights
reserved.
Gil Strachan is a professional home
inspector, representing Electrospec
Home Inspection Services in
east-central Ontario, Canada since
1994. Visit
http://www.allaroundthehouse.com
to learn more about home
inspections.
"The Home Reference Book"
You can probably find a home
inspection for a little less than
what we ask, but you probably won't
find the Home Reference Book. A $60
value, this solutions-oriented
reference tool comes free with every
inspection we perform.
It's the first tool you should have
around the house!
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gil_Strachan
If you are looking for an Austin
Plumber, please
call us today at 512-445-5212 or
click on the link below:
|
If
you are looking for a plumber in Austin,
