Banging pipes

[hberg]

We notice our pipes make banging sounds whenever we flush the upstairs toilet and run water. Now since we are still resolving our 60 day walk thru - (though it's almost time for the 11 month) we asked if this was something that would be fixed during our 11 month. We were told by VM that it was Pipes expanding when hot water goes through it. This sounds like bs to me.

Just want to know if someone else has had baning pipes - or dealt with same problem.

[marker10]

I hear the pipes as well when the toilet flushes upstairs or when the shower is on upstairs. I was told the same thing...that it's the pipes that's expanding and contracting. During the summers, I don't hear the pipes so I think the sound is the contraction and expansion due to the cold weather.

[Wick]

I hear the same thing -- but I heard it during the summer when we moved in (July 2003 closing). I didn't bring it up during the 60-day, but (if it continues) will bring it up at the 11-month in June.

[Pictor Guy]

Banging pipes when you flush the toilet would have little or nothing to do with hot water since toilets only use a cold water feed. I would bet that the expansion tank is not adequate (but I'm not a plumber). We had a similar problem when we added our sprinkler system and the plumber was able to fix the knock of the water being shut off.

Check this out... http://www.msbuilder.com/lib/ms026.shtml

[hberg]

Yeah but the banging occurs either after the toilet flushes and also during water use, not after - like if I turn on the sink you hear the knocking until the sink is turned off.

quote:Originally posted by Pictor Guy

Banging pipes when you flush the toilet would have little or nothing to do with hot water since toilets only use a cold water feed. I would bet that the expansion tank is not adequate (but I'm not a plumber). We had a similar problem when we added our sprinkler system and the plumber was able to fix the knock of the water being shut off.

Check this out... http://www.msbuilder.com/lib/ms026.shtml

[Pictor Guy]

Water hammer happens when the water gets turned off and there is a sudden change in water pressure inside the pipes. Such as right when you turn off a sink of right after the toilet tank finishes filling with water (after the flush). In my case it happened when the sprinkler would shut down one zone and open another.

[hberg]

I would wonder if this is a Van Metre fix or not. How can you really prove the expansion tanks are not large enough? I did read in our guidelines that VM will fix a persisent water hammering. Though the guy that came out to go over our list said it was not water hammering. But what can you expect. I would hate to pay a plumber just to come out and give me his best guess.

quote:Originally posted by Pictor Guy

Water hammer happens when the water gets turned off and there is a sudden change in water pressure inside the pipes. Such as right when you turn off a sink of right after the toilet tank finishes filling with water (after the flush). In my case it happened when the sprinkler would shut down one zone and open another.

[mburton]

OK... I'll bite

How many have an "Expansion Tank" ??

we moved into a SF home in the "north" section in 2000 and VM refused to even discuss the need for an expansion tank. VM stated that is was not required by code.

sounds like I should have fought the battle more

mburton

[SK8R]

We had an expansion tank connected to our water heater in our old house on Tithables Circle.
We paid the punch out guy a few $$ to do it.

I believe this has nothing to do with that loud bang when the upstairs toilet is flushed. It was pretty loud, felt like the house was falling apart. It did not matter what time of year it was, temp of the house, temp outside, other water sources running inside or outside the house, or time of day. It just made a big clunk with the flush atleast once a day.

[OP_dude]

quote:Originally posted by mburton

OK... I'll bite

How many have an "Expansion Tank" ??



We have an expansion tank on the water heater. This came standard from Washington Homes.
Have not had any noise.

[Wick]

We got an expansion tank in our VM home (without asking for it). However, we still have the banging noise when we flush the master bathroom toilet.

[Dutchml]

An expansion tank is only for the hot water heater (when the water heats and expands) and has no effect on water hammer from flushing toilets (unless the plumber ran a hot water line to your toilet, which would be another problem altogether [:0]). I believe expansion tanks for hot water heaters has been in the Loudoun County building codes for a few years. Water hammer is fixable by introducing passive air into the line to reduce the pressure but builders are reluctant to do it unless the problem line can easily be accessed, such as in an unfinished basement area.