Water Heater Pipes Vibrating

Now if a cpvc line was routed through a hole or area that is too tight you ll hear a rubbing clicking knocking noise anytime hot water runs through that pipe.

Water heater pipes vibrating. Water hammers can be very loud and very disturbing but you ll only hear a water hammer after you ve turned off the faucet. Just leave your faucets on until the water flow returns to normal. Although annoying when your water heater is making a vibrating noise it s generally not harmful to either the heating element or the water heater. In four of the baths when the toilet is flushed the water cutoff causes the pipes to vibrate very loudly somewhere in the wall or ceiling.

I ve lived in this house for 18 years and this is the first time this has happened. The pipes that deliver hot water to your shower sinks washing machine etc. Sometimes a water hammer can occur when a pipe mounting strap is loose. If you have air in a pipe caused by a recent repair or another issue you will have to deal with the shaking and sputtering pipes for a short time until the air is forced out.

Another indication the heater needs maintenance is a rumbling sound produced by sediments being stirred by the water flow inside the tank. You can see a helpful diagram of this phenomenon here. There are two heating elements an upper and a lower and it s not uncommon for the upper heating element to vibrate and hum when cold water flows into the tank and circulates around the system. The water supply pipes in your house s plumbing may make noises or vibrate for a number of reasons including water hammer or broken straps.

Some homes use cpvc chlorinated polyvinyl chloride as their hot water supply pipes i e. A water hammer is what happens when the water inside the pipes hits the valve when you close the faucet. Turning off the cold water faucet at the sink also causes a vibration. Pipes can vibrate and sputter or spit violently making lots of noise if there is air trapped in them.

Once the pipes are all drained turn the water main back on. If a vibrating pipe seems to be behind a wall if you need a new water pressure regulator or if you d like to install slow shutting valves to avoid water hammer issues call your trusted plumber who ll take care of the problem efficiently and well. Use a deliming mixture to clean the tank and drain the water heater. These straps consist of metal plumber s tape or the vinyl coated nail in hooks and hangers that attach pipes to framing.

A loose pipe strap allows the pipe to freely vibrate against framing members as water is turned on and off. My water pipes started vibrating about a month ago. If maintenance does not cure the problem the noises may be something as simple as the expansion and contraction of the main steel tank or expansion tank during normal operation.