Outdoor & Garden Ideas
Determining And Fixing Plumbing Noises In Your Home
To diagnose noisy plumbing, it is important to determine first whether the unwanted sounds occur on the system's inlet side-in other words, when water is turned on-or on the drain side. Noises on the inlet side have varied causes: excessive water pressure, worn valve and faucet parts, improperly connected pumps or other appliances, incorrectly placed pipe fasteners, and plumbing runs containing too many tight bends or other restrictions. Noises on the drain side usually stem from poor location or, as with some inlet side noise, a layout containing tight bends.
Hissing
Hissing noise that occurs when a faucet is opened slightly generally signals excessive water pressure. Consult your local water company if you suspect this problem; it will be able to tell you the water pressure in your area and can install a pressurereducing valve on the incoming water supply pipe if necessary.
Thudding
Thudding noise, often accompanied by shuddering pipes, when a faucet or appliance valve is turned off is a condition called water hammer. The noise and vibration are caused by the reverberating wave of pressure in the water, which suddenly has no place to go. Sometimes opening a valve that discharges water quickly into a section of piping containing a restriction, elbow, or tee fitting can produce the same condition.
Water hammer can usually be cured by installing fittings called air chambers or shock absorbers in the plumbing to which the problem valves or faucets are connected. These devices allow the shock wave created by the halted flow of water to dissipate in the air they contain, which (unlike water) is compressible.
Older plumbing systems may have short vertical sections of capped pipe behind walls on faucet runs for the same purpose; these can eventually fill with water, reducing or destroying their effectiveness. The cure is to drain the water system completely by shutting off the main water supply valve and opening all faucets. Then open the main supply valve and close the faucets one at a time, starting with the faucet nearest the valve and ending with the one farthest away.
Chattering or Screeching
Intense chattering or screeching that occurs when a valve or faucet is turned on, and that usually disappears when the fitting is opened fully, signals loose or defective internal parts. The solution is to replace the valve or faucet with a new one.
Pumps and appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers can transfer motor noise to pipes if they are improperly connected. Link such items to plumbing with plastic or rubber hoses-never rigid pipe-to isolate them.
Other Inlet Side Noises
Creaking, squeaking, scratching, snapping, and tapping usually are caused by the expansion or contraction of pipes, generally copper ones supplying hot water. The sounds occur as the pipes slide against loose fasteners or strike nearby house framing. You can often pinpoint the location of the problem if the pipes are exposed; just follow the sound when the pipes are making noise. Most likely you will discover a loose pipe hanger or an area where pipes lie so close to floor joists or other framing pieces that they clatter against them. Attaching foam pipe insulation around the pipes at the point of contact should remedy the problem. Be sure straps and hangers are secure and provide adequate support. Where possible, pipe fasteners should be attached to massive structural elements such as foundation walls instead of to framing; doing so lessens the transmission of vibrations from plumbing to surfaces that can amplify and transfer them. If attaching fasteners to framing is unavoidable, wrap pipes with insulation or other resilient material where they contact fasteners, and sandwich the ends of new fasteners between rubber washers when installing them.
Correcting plumbing runs that suffer from flow-restricting tight or numerous bends is a last resort that should be undertaken only after consulting a skilled plumbing contractor. Unfortunately, this situation is fairly common in older houses that may not have been built with indoor plumbing or that have seen several remodels, especially by amateurs.
Drainpipe Noise
On the drain side of plumbing, the chief goals are to eliminate surfaces that can be struck by falling or rushing water and to insulate pipes to contain unavoidable sounds.
In new construction, bathtubs, shower stalls, toilets, and wallmounted sinks and basins should be set on or against resilient underlayments to reduce the transmission of sound through them. Water-saving toilets and faucets are less noisy than conventional models; install them instead of older types even if codes in your area still permit using older fixtures.
Drainpipes that do not run vertically to the basement or that branch into horizontal pipe runs supported at floor joists or other framing present particularly troublesome noise problems. Such pipes are large enough to radiate considerable vibration; they also carry significant amounts of water, which makes the situation worse. In new construction, specify cast-iron soil pipes (the large pipes that drain toilets) if you can afford them. Their massiveness contains much of the noise made by water passing through them. Also, avoid routing drainpipes in walls shared with bedrooms and rooms where people gather. Walls containing drainpipes should be soundproofed as was described earlier, using double panels of sound-insulating fiberboard and wallboard. Pipes themselves can be wrapped with special fiberglass insulation made for the purpose; such pipes have an impervious vinyl skin (sometimes containing lead). Results are not always satisfactory.
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VERIFIED BUYER
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VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
The bench itself is decent and the wood of good quality but the metal fixings let it down. Very cheap soft metal bolts with an allen key fit are not up to the job. The metal had shredded by the time the bench was up as the metal is too soft. Very frustrating, not all bolts now tight enough and no chance to take it apart later if required.
Anonymous ( 2020-Sep-11 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Really easy to assemble and the cushions I’ve stored inside have remained dry - despite lots of rain - would recommend this item
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VERIFIED BUYER
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These chairs are perfect! I had been planning on buying them from a high end store for almost twice the price. I saw these, ordered them and I am SO happy! They are sturdy, very pretty for the breakfast area, and can be taken outside for dining if needed. I am extremely glad I saw these chairs.
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VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Sturdy and very large! Perfect for storing garden cushions and many other things! Finishing on lid a little messy but other than that, easily assembled and attractive
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VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
To start with, delivery was a day earlier than stated, so already off to a great start! The bench was easy to put together with two people, and really solid. It’s lovely and comfy to sit on too! Excellent value for money, it looks like it was much more expensive with its classic lines and quality finish. We love it!
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VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
I'd seen cheaper versions which weren't fully weatherproof, so went for this, but was disappointed that the faux rattan isn't as realistic/attractive as the less expensive ones, it actually looks a bit cheap! However hopefully it will last longer. Fingers crossed.
Oliver ( 2021-Jan-09 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
The furniture was fine but the courier (DHL) instead of attempting three deliveries left the massive box at my front door and I had to ask neighbours to help to gain access to my house as I couldn’t move it on my own.
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VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
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VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
This storage box is absolutely ideal for storing cushions and other garden accoutrements. It arrived early (!) and came flat packed but was extremely easy to put together in about half an hour. The colour is great, blending into the background of the garden.
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VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
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VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Nice product. It was delivered quickly. When assembling, the instructions weren’t clear as to which side is up on the bottom two bars. Apart from that, I’m very happy with the product.
Stacy ( 2021-Jan-19 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
Easy to put together and a perfect size for our patio furniture cushions. Delivery took a day longer than quoted, but not bad taking current lockdown circumstances into account!
Oliver ( 2021-Mar-05 )
VERIFIED BUYER
★★★★★
These hanging plant holders are adorable. Very clean and adds an unusual element to an art wall.