Vibrating pipes

[2sp_]

Whenever I run the hot water tap, the pipes start to vibrate and drone loudly. The only way I've found to stop it is to run the cold water tap for a minute or so.

My own (probably incorrect) theory is that it's something to do with pressure and maybe a water pipe somewhere has come lose of a bracket attaching it to the wall.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

[emeritus]

Possibly the Washer on the Hot Tap needs replacing ?

[2sp_]

I don't think so, emeritus. It happens when the shower is running too. It's a gravity fed shower, not electric.

[emeritus]

Ok its just that my hot tap was noisy and vibrating and it was the washer I am sure you will get sound advice from the AB experts

[2sp_]

Thanks for trying, though!

It's driving me nuts.

[deggers316]

find out where the pipes are touching and put some packing between

[dickythecook]

I had the same sort of problem 2sp. It turned out to be the cold water inlet washer/valve thingy on the header tank for my hot water cylinder. Turning on the cold tap took a little pressure off 'cos the cold water is on a rising main.
You can tell I am desd teknickel can't you?

[tonyav]

You could try adjusting the water pressure on the mains tap under the sink, just experiment by tuning it up or down and see if the noise and vibration disappears.

[2sp_]

I'm off to investigate the header tank - if I don't come back, call search and rescue!

Thanks to all for very helpful answers.

[TWR]

As you say, The only way I've found to stop it is to run the cold water tap for a minute or so. so the pipe will not have come away from the bracket, has this noise come about via " You turning on your Central Heating? If so, Bleed every Radiator

[The Builder]

It's unusual for a gravity hot water system (low pressure) to cause pipe rattle or water hammer. I agree with the others that the problem lies with the mains pressure (cold).
When you turn on a hot outlet, the roof tank immediately opens to refill the tank. Turning on a cold tap reduces the pressure and stops the problem.
Do what Tony suggests, and turn your rising main (incoming supply under the kitchen sink.) See if that makes any difference. It's not a final solution because it also reduces your flow rate (amount of water coming into the building), and it won't allow for normal variations in the mains pressure.
If that does it, then try fitting one of these just after the incoming main.

http://www.ebay.co.uk...0150678463#vi-content

[jomifl]

If you have an old fashioned ball valve it may be this that is resonating. If you have access to it, see if it vibrates when your pipes vibrate. If it is the ball valve you need to either damp the vibrations by attaching something flat horizintally to the underwater part of the ball or lower the frequency by adding some weight. Adding a flat heavy thing (as long as you don't sink the ball valve) should work.

[geha]

We had exactly this low frequency vibration after flushing a toilet or running a non-mains tap - after about a minute as the cold water tank neared the full point.

It occurred immediately after a plumber had replaced the valve and ballcock in the loft-based cold-water tank that is fed directly from the mains.

Another plumber (same company) came to sort it out free of charge (of course) and said it was a well known issue when a plumber fits the wrong type of valve and ballcock. He said we live in a high mains pressure area (we are on a little hill but water needs pumping by the water company to this area which makes the high pressure). If the mains is high pressure a different valve and ballcock system is needed in the cold water tank. He changed it and everything is now perfect with no vibrations at all.

Dr.G.