Quote:
Posted By AnnaD2 on 12/21/2009 3:29 PM
Situation----I'm on the second floor of a two-floor condo. Every 12 minutes I hear pipes banging; 24 hours a day. The noise is coming from the bathroom. Sometimes it sounds like it coming from behind the sink; the other time it sounds like it's coming from behind the toilet.
Every 12 minutes! But I don't know if it's from the pipes of MY unit, the unit next door to me or the unit below me. They are not "banging" when myself or my next door neighbor are running water....because I hear it in the middle of the night (and I can hear my neighbor snoring; so I know he's not up.)
A few times I think I've heard his toilet "running" then a BANG....which makes me think it may be HIS pipes.
Just wondering if any of you may know what is causing this....and how I should approach it if you think his running toilet may be causing this noise.
Thanks everyone!!!
Here is a 'probable' sequence of events:
Pipes in wall(s) not properly anchored/supported allowing the following to become a problem:
A neighbor's toilet float valve was replaced with a Fluidmaster 400A .... the refill tube was inserted INTO the tank overflow standpipe instead of using the supplied air-gap fitting.
This causes a SLOW siphoning of the water from the tank into the bowl ... when the water drops to a certain point the 400A fill valve opens to refill the tank and 'snap-action' shuts off when filled ... loose pipes in wall bang (actually rattle and shake the drywall).
repeat .... 10-20minutes .... repeat .... etc.
see: http://www.fluidmaster.com/html/troubleshooting.html
<<<<"Problem: The Fill Valve's black vinyl refill tube extends too far down the overflow pipe. This creates a siphoning action into the overflow pipe, lowering the tank's water level and causing the valve to turn on and refill tank.
Solution: Make certain the black vinyl refill tube is attached to the top of the overflow pipe with the angle adapter (see illustration). If the angle adapter doesn't fit onto the overflow pipe, Fluidmaster offers a Special Refill Clamp Model 599
Solution: If you don’t have or can’t use an angle adapter, place the black refill tube into the overflow pipe, making sure it rests above the waterline.">>>>>
OR:
<<<<" Problem: The toilet's tank ball or flapper (see picture) is worn, dirty or misaligned with the flush valve seat, or the seat itself is so corroded that the stopper will not seal properly. This creates a leak that lowers the tank's water level, causing the Valve to turn on and refill the tank.
Solution: Clean tank ball and drain seat thoroughly. If leak persists, replace the worn tank ball or flapper with a Fluidmaster Bull's Eye Flapper Model 500, Bull's Eye Super Flapper Model 501 or a Flusher Fixer Kit Model 555C. The Flusher Fixer Kit includes a plastic replacement seat for damaged brass, plastic or ceramic flush valve drain seats.
Problem: Overflow pipe/flush valve assembly is so corroded it creates leaks that lower the tank's water level, causing the valve to turn on and refill tank.
Solution: Replace the entire overflow pipe/flush valve assembly with a product like Fluidmaster's Flush Valve 507C.">>>>
HOWEVER >>>>> the problem is the unsecured piping (riser) in the wall ... difficult to fix w/o opening the walls for a visual inspection/repair ... the pipes in the wall should NOT bang under any circumstances IF PROPERLY INSTALLED.
Warning! RANT:
Good luck ... welcome to the wonderful world of 'who flung dung and run' non-union amateur plumbing performed by temporary imported labor after 2 weeks of on-the-job training ... I think they are called 2H visas ... they work alongside the electricians with the butter knives instead of screw drivers ... how else can us blue collar people afford McMansions?
retired NY master plumber who has spent 4+ years making his home in SC fit for human occupation (code compliant),
John B.