Noisy Plumbing

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Sun 8 Sep 2013 09:34
Noisy Plumbing - Chris M

A question for the Backroom plumbers (if there are any).

We have a cold water tank in the loft and it's been making a bit of a noise filling up. Yesterday, I took a look to see if the ballvalve was operating correctly and found that whilst it was shutting off cleanly, it had a small hole in the side of the casting resulting in a fine spray when it was filling. Down to Wickes for a high pressure Part 1 replacement. Fitting went smoothly.

Trouble is, the new one makes more noise than the old one. It's a different noise, SWMBO says it sounds like a plane landing. The noise is coming from the feed pipe, 15mm copper which runs up through the house. I'm assuming the noise is created by the flow of water resonating the pipe. What's the cure? The pipe is all boarded in, so can't be got at.

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Sun 8 Sep 2013 13:34
Noisy Plumbing - FP

I believe a high pressure valve would be appropriate if the tank is filled directly from the mains (which it probably is, being in the loft); however, some people suggest a low pressure valve (which simply has a larger aperture and allows a quicker flow) may solve some noise problems, or at least produce a different (and possibly more acceptable?) noise.

Another suggestion I've heard is that slightly closing the isolating tap below the valve (if there is one) may help, or even slightly closing the main stopcock under your sink or wherever it is.

Finally, an expensive idea is to experiment with different designs or makes of ball valve.

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Sat 21 Sep 2013 21:40
Noisy Plumbing - Chris M

Well, I had a chat with a plumber and he suggested a Torbeck valve. £5.98 and problem solved.

www.toolstation.com/shop/Plumbing/Toilet+Fittings/...6

Hope this may be of use to others.

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Mon 30 Sep 2013 14:43
Noisy Plumbing - concrete

Sorry to step in late on this one. Been away for quite some time, so just catching up with the forum. Torbeck valves are great and are generally good at handling the shut down in a high pressure water main. The sound you heard is called water hammer and is caused by the pressure in the main pushing against the ball valve as it closes. Water pressure varies throughout the day and is obviously highest at night when there is low demand and lowest at peak times, just like electric, gas etc it varies with demand. If you have good pressure even at peak times then a cure is to restrict the main at the stop cock where it enters the building. The old brass type 1 ball valves are meant to have a small hole in the casing to allow excess pressure to escape and this will drip or run from time to time depending on the pressure. Anyway, glad you solved your problem, even if it cost you some time and money you are now a wiser man. Cheers Concrete

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Wed 9 Oct 2013 21:20
Noisy Plumbing - markspend01

Hey Chris well the link which you provide is a great helping stuff about plumbing and fittings method.Thanks for sharing!!

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