My water pipes started vibrating about a month ago.
Water heater pipes vibrating.
In four of the baths when the toilet is flushed the water cutoff causes the pipes to vibrate very loudly somewhere in the wall or ceiling.
Water hammers can be very loud and very disturbing but you ll only hear a water hammer after you ve turned off the faucet.
Although annoying when your water heater is making a vibrating noise it s generally not harmful to either the heating element or the water heater.
Sometimes a water hammer can occur when a pipe mounting strap is loose.
There are two heating elements an upper and a lower and it s not uncommon for the upper heating element to vibrate and hum when cold water flows into the tank and circulates around the system.
Ignoring the vibration in your faucet s hot water supply pipe can lead to serious problems with the pipe since the vibration could be the early warning sign of major problems.
Some homes use cpvc chlorinated polyvinyl chloride as their hot water supply pipes i e.
If maintenance does not cure the problem the noises may be something as simple as the expansion and contraction of the main steel tank or expansion tank during normal operation.
Pipes can vibrate and sputter or spit violently making lots of noise if there is air trapped in them.
Turning off the cold water faucet at the sink also causes a vibration.
These straps consist of metal plumber s tape or the vinyl coated nail in hooks and hangers that attach pipes to framing.
Another indication the heater needs maintenance is a rumbling sound produced by sediments being stirred by the water flow inside the tank.
The water supply pipes in your house s plumbing may make noises or vibrate for a number of reasons including water hammer or broken straps.
If a vibrating pipe seems to be behind a wall if you need a new water pressure regulator or if you d like to install slow shutting valves to avoid water hammer issues call your trusted plumber who ll take care of the problem efficiently and well.
Once the pipes are all drained turn the water main back on.
Use a deliming mixture to clean the tank and drain the water heater.
If you have air in a pipe caused by a recent repair or another issue you will have to deal with the shaking and sputtering pipes for a short time until the air is forced out.
It doesn t happen all the time.
A loose pipe strap allows the pipe to freely vibrate against framing members as water is turned on and off.
A water hammer is what happens when the water inside the pipes hits the valve when you close the faucet.
Just leave your faucets on until the water flow returns to normal.
I installed a new water heater about 6 months ago and have had a consistent water hammering mild that occurs every 10 minutes.
You can see a helpful diagram of this phenomenon here.
