Water Hammer

SaulGMan

So, we live in an old Victorian terrace with a majority of houses sharing the water feed to our boundary then in goes to the property. Since February this year we’ve been hearing Water Hammer. And you can feel it when you feel the pipes. 

I’ve sent a note to all neighbours asking them to check for water hammer as we can hear it. It’s as if someone has a new appliance. 

I discovered that 4 properties aren’t sharing the water supply, so does that rule them out?
since sending the note the water hammer is still happening, in some cases till 2300. As this is causing a new problem for us what else can I do as United Utilities won’t do owt as it’s not their problem, so can this be reported to the Council?

FFHillbilly

I don't think the council will care either to be honest. did everybody reply to the note? I think thats along the right track, but probably best to go round and speak to them in person and get some feedback. find out who else can hear it, that will narrow down the search area. It can appear when air gets into pipes and can't get out, so not necessarily from new plumbing work or a new appliance

FreeBear

FFHillbilly said: so not necessarily from new plumbing work or a new appliance

Used to have a ballcock in the header tank for my hot water system. A few years back, it started to make a noise when the bath was run. Over time, it ended up sounding like a fog horn. So not a new appliance or recent plumbing work by a long shot (thing was over 40 years old).

OP - Is it a single thump or a continuous howl (a.k.a. foghorn type noise) ?

Chloe_G

I think this is what we had - it was a really bad foghorn type noise coming from the water tank in the loft which intermittently occurred after running various taps.  We couldn't work out where or why.  After months of this, the flush on one of the toilets broke and when we had it fixed the noise stopped.  I think it was caused by a faulty valve in the cistern. 

SaulGMan

Thank you for your replies. 

The sound is a knock knock and occurs every 5 to 10 seconds. Which is why I’m thinking an appliance like a dishwasher or washer. 

It started in February I think. 

I’ll post another note and see if everyone ignores it again. 

GrubbyGirl_2

SaulGMan said:

Thank you for your replies. 

The sound is a knock knock and occurs every 5 to 10 seconds. Which is why I’m thinking an appliance like a dishwasher or washer. 

It started in February I think. 

I’ll post another note and see if everyone ignores it again. 

Why not just talk to them?

ComicGeek

SaulGMan said:

Thank you for your replies. 

The sound is a knock knock and occurs every 5 to 10 seconds. Which is why I’m thinking an appliance like a dishwasher or washer. 

It started in February I think. 

I’ll post another note and see if everyone ignores it again. 

Every 5-10 seconds throughout the whole day and night, or just at certain times? That might give more clues as to what's causing it. A dishwasher or washing machine would normally be regular during filling/rinsing cycles, but that's not going to be all day. 

ComicGeek

You could always install a water hammer arrestor on the mains supply as it enters your house, that would deal with any transferred shock through the system. 

https://www.screwfix.com/c/heating-plumbing/hammer-arresters/cat10420003

SaulGMan

ComicGeek said:

SaulGMan said:

Thank you for your replies. 

The sound is a knock knock and occurs every 5 to 10 seconds. Which is why I’m thinking an appliance like a dishwasher or washer. 

It started in February I think. 

I’ll post another note and see if everyone ignores it again. 

Every 5-10 seconds throughout the whole day and night, or just at certain times? That might give more clues as to what's causing it. A dishwasher or washing machine would normally be regular during filling/rinsing cycles, but that's not going to be all day. 

Yesterday it was in the evening till 2300. Some days it’s all afternoon. Very frustrating 

daivid

I've had it caused by a failing cartridge on the kitchen tap which sounded like a cow in the pipes, washing machine produces a thump when it stops filling as do 1/4 turn taps if switched off too fast from full. OP if you are sure the cause is outside your home I think fitting an arrestor where you pipe comes in is the best option, it seems you don’t know your neighbours all that well so getting them to investigate further and take necessary action is likely to be fruitless task.

SaulGMan

We’ve lived here 15 plus years. And I’ve spoken to a few of my neighbours. Some can hear the same knocking where some can’t hear. 4 are on a different water feed so aren’t connected to our supply. We’re certain that this water hammer is being caused by another neighbour. We’ve had new neighbours move into a property 2 doors up at the start of the year. 

We’ll look at the arrestor option