Rumbling Pipes When Water NOT In Use

nansuedar

The rumbling happens sporadically throughout the day, maybe 2-3 times a day and lasts 5-10 seconds. Sometimes it sounds like it's coming from the back bathroom, sometimes the front bathroom, but never from the kitchen OR water heater. The water heater was replaced in 6/2011 and has an expansion tank. Not sure exactly when it started, maybe 3-6 months ago? Plumber checked the water pressure and it was O.K., and didn't have any other culprit Any ideas about why it's happening??

AllanJ

When someone uses hot water, the hot water pipe expands, lengthwise also. (When someone uses cold water, the cold water pipe contracts.) Later the pipe returns to room temperature. Some of the holes in the joists or studs through which the pipe passes may be a tight fit and the wood deforms slightly as the pipe elongates or shortens. Exactly when the pipe slides slightly in the hole to relieve the stress is random and sudden and the jolt can be transmitted to other, looser, pipes that can rattle.

__________________
The disadvantages of crab apple trees. In summer, the apples are too sour to pick and eat. In winter the birds come and leave dropping all over the place.

nansuedar

Thanks for the quick reply!

So, what should/can be done about it?

ben's plumbing

could be a ball cock in one of the toilets running slowly causing a hammer...this could be from a leaking flapper.....try shutting off water to one toilet at a time see if it stops....ben sr