help needed please

Mollymop5

I have my washing machine on at present and everytime water fills into the machine I hear a loud bang/knock noise from the pipes in my airing cupboard.At least I hope it's from there and not the tank above.It's not constant only when water goes into the machine.i've never noticed it before but don't usually have my washing machine on while I'm sitting at my pc which is in the room next to airing cupboard so I don't know how long it has been going on.It isn't a quiet bang it's loud enough to disturb my kids sleeping.
Can anyone help? do you know what it is and what I can do to stop it please?

Thanks

McKneff

might be an air lock, someone will come along soon and probably either contradictme or tell you how to get rid of it.

Mollymop5

Thank you annie.I need this load washed or I'd switch it off and wait.

McKneff

bump!!!!!!!!!!

andrew-b

anniehanlon wrote: »

bump!!!!!!!!!!

Ouch!!!
First of all is the machine cold (mains) fill only or hot and cold fill ? If your hearing a bang from the airing cupboard area and it's hot and cold fill then my guess is it's air in the hot water system. If so then you should be able to release the air from the system via a bleed valve - see " how to bleed the circulation system" here: http://www.diydata.com/problem/central_heating/bleed.php

Hope that helps

Andy

Mollymop5

Thanks for the bump Ann.Andy my washing machine is cold fill only and only months old.I've not had it on today so can't tell you if it's still happening.I won't be putting it on when I'm out though cos the noise was scary and I'm worried something might go.Will prob need to do a wash tomorrow though so will see if it happens again.thanks

andrew-b

Doh so that's that theory out the window then!

I'd follow the route of the mains cold pipe (where access is possible) and check if it's loose anywhere or come unclipped from it's fixings.

What is your cold mains water pressure like? I'm wondering if the pressure is too high. If so then you could try closing off the mains stopvalve by about a turn or two to reduce the flow a little (good idea not to have it fully open anyway as then if it ceases up you have a bit of play to loosen it again in both directions). Alternatively to reduce the water pressure you could have a pressure reducing valve fitted but i'd try everything else first rather than spend money unnecessarily.

I don't think it's anything to really worry about ..but annoying for you all the same!

Andy

McKneff

I think it is an air lock and it wont go away on its own. (i know what it is and i know it's easy to deal with but i cant remember how). i know this is sexist but I'm still old school ask a fella to do it for you. I think you hold a hosepipe on an upstairs tap and the other one on a downstairs tap and turn them both full on so its a 2 person job. Good luck

robnye

or put tube over hot water and connect to cold water and turn hot water on..... flushing the air bubble back up the system....

i seem to remember my mum/dad having to do that when i was nipper

McKneff

yes, i remember my mum/dad doing that also

andrew-b

But the issue here is the mains cold water supply...the theory of the hosepipe "trick" is to clear an air-lock in a pipe at lower pressure by pushing it through with water (mains cold) at higher pressure - not the other way round.
My theory above is that this is "water hammer"... have a read here: http://www.simplifydiy.com/plumbing-and-heating/mains-water-systems/water-hammer
and you'll see what i mean.

Andy