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Discuss Water hammer when neighbour uses water.. Please help in the Plumbing Forum | Plumbing Advice area at PlumbersForums.net

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Sorry to bother but in desperate need of advice, we've suffered with water hammer issues in our council property since 12th November 2018, I share a water line with both neighbours either side of me and the main Thames line is in the street right outside my house leads to another stop tap in my front garden and T's off from ours to each neighbour we've had Thames water out who came inside and heard the banging pipes, could see we were using no water to cause it and arranged to have a crew out that same day to replace the stop tap in the street in front of our house, since then we've had the council out to replace the next stop tap in the front garden 3ft from the one Thames water replaced, we've also had pipes re clipped and a water hammer arrester fitted on the main water line inside our house with a new stop tap on that line also, and still the noises continued, once again the council came out and they dug up the front garden and replaced the metal pipe from the new stop tap with rubber piping as far as they could get to the t junction that's under our porch to try and absord the problem, and we was left with a dull donking whenever a neighbour used water which we could live with, since April one of my neighbours moved out and for the 2.5 months the house was empty we've had no donking, no vibrating type drill noise on the pipes or banging, but since the new owner has had workmen in and started to make the house his own the drilling type vibrating noise has started back up and over the last couple of days we're now getting a rattling on the pipes each time water is used, I've spoken to them and even showed them a video of the noise as set a tablet up facing the line and hit record everytime someone enters the house to show what's happening in our house and he's been lovely about it and wants to help, however at the moment the kitchen is empty and there's not even a sink there, but they are using the toilet and sink in the bathroom.. Our council is saying there's nothing more they can do as next door is a bought house so get Thames water back out, Thames water are saying its a civil matter however as its causing problems in our house the council should mediate to try and solve this.. I'm hoping the works next door might solve this but things have been getting slowly louder again and it's scaring the hell out of my daughter so I'm desperate for some expert advice
Thank you
 
If you're neighbour is willing to help that's a good start. If they have a tank(s) in the loft I'd be looking at that first, especially if the cold to bathroom is tank fed. Then I'd be asking them to check the float valve to the toilet.
 
If you're neighbour is willing to help that's a good start. If they have a tank(s) in the loft I'd be looking at that first, especially if the cold to bathroom is tank fed. Then I'd be asking them to check the float valve to the toilet.
Thank you so much for you're reply, I appreciate it... They've got no tank in the loft but there is a combi boiler up there, I've managed to now video the banging on my tablet which I've set up in the kitchen as the humming vibrating has stopped and we're back to the loud bang and rattling noise, I'm really hoping they can solve this as it would have been going on 2 years this coming November and it's getting unbearable now
 
If you're neighbour is willing to help that's a good start. If they have a tank(s) in the loft I'd be looking at that first, especially if the cold to bathroom is tank fed. Then I'd be asking them to check the float valve to the toilet.

It could even be an issue with the neighbour’s stopcock.
 
Thank you so much for you're reply, I appreciate it... They've got no tank in the loft but there is a combi boiler up there, I've managed to now video the banging on my tablet which I've set up in the kitchen as the humming vibrating has stopped and we're back to the loud bang and rattling noise, I'm really hoping they can solve this as it would have been going on 2 years this coming November and it's getting unbearable now

Are you able to post video, so we can hear it, might point us in a direction. Still could be the toilet float valve, usually the old type, or even a tap that wants re-washering
 
Are you able to post video, so we can hear it, might point us in a direction. Still could be the toilet float valve, usually the old type, or even a tap that wants re-washering
I have a tablet set up and record each time someone goes in next door now, soon as they leave the pipes are quiet again
 
Thanks Jo, but I can’t hear anything. However try what’s been suggested for your neighbour first, or maybe he could engage with a plumber?
 
Thanks Jo, but I can’t hear anything. However try what’s been suggested for your neighbour first, or maybe he could engage with a plumber?
The bang is right at the very end of the video but still waiting for Thames Water to get back to me to hopefully help and I will definitely mention to my neighbour what you've suggested, I'm extremely grateful for your help and advice, thank you
 
Just played it agin, and could hear it that time. Yes it’s obviously an issue, could be what’s been mentioned, also any quarter turn taps can send shockwaves down the pipes. Keep us updated.
 
Just played it agin, and could hear it that time. Yes it’s obviously an issue, could be what’s been mentioned, also any quarter turn taps can send shockwaves down the pipes. Keep us updated.
I've just got off the phone with Thames Water and they are emailing me a letter to approach the council with as they are saying that come this November this issue has been going on for 2 years and they are concerned that our houses pipework is going to suffer significant damage due the the random banging and vibrations throughout the day, I've got three options if my new neighbour can't find and fix what's gone wrong, take the Thames water letter to my council that's now suggesting council need to step in and help resolve this as since works being done next door and things are being replaced and upgraded nothings calming down, they think the t junction could be now damaged and that's why we're having issues whenever water is used, for me to pay to be put on our own seperate water line, or seek legal advice on who to go to for help...
 
Having your own dedicated supply would probably work out better, wouldn’t recommend it all be paid for by yourself though.
 
Having your own dedicated supply would probably work out better, wouldn’t recommend it all be paid for by yourself though.
I looked into the cost earlier, if the council don't help us sort this out I might have to look into getting a loan and do it all myself as my eldest daughter has now moved out to stay with friends until all this is sorted, thank you once again for all your advice, I'm truly grateful to you
 
I’m giving you my best advice. Only sounds come up when they using a taps or the toilet . Hammer noise only comes , if toilet filling valve it’s failed some of them have a double check valve fitted, other problem which really vibrates the pipe work again filling valve diaphragm failure which needs replacing huge hammer noises can come out from them specially when people done their business inside a toilet and toilet it’s still filling up after flush and they washing the hands at the same time vibration increases even more . Next part faulty taps sold on a discounted price , when you wash hands open the tap and shut creates shockwaves into a pipe work, in this scenario he needs double check valves fitted on hot and cold to prevent water from back pressure , best solution is to investigate toilet first than taps and replace them for something similar design or fully turned shut off taps . If I was you report that neighbours to the council straight away, it’s not your fault let him get a proba experience plumber and sort that out and diagnose all system.
[automerge]1595447948[/automerge]
Other faults , shower cartridge , and double check valves ... basically you need someone to investigate their property.
 
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Years ago, about 10, I temporarily ( with a view to being permanent ) fitted a loop of plastic pipe from a stopcock and connected back onto the house mains to stop a similar situation.
There was enough room, so I looped about 2 metres of plastic pipe off the stopcock back onto the cold water supply and it fixed the problem.
The plastic pipe loop took all the water hammer and relived the noise in the property.

I've never heard back from the customer after 'temporarily' fixing the problem, so it worked initially and may still be working to this day........ Or it may have failed and they have never wanted me back for repairs?
 
I’m giving you my best advice. Only sounds come up when they using a taps or the toilet . Hammer noise only comes , if toilet filling valve it’s failed some of them have a double check valve fitted, other problem which really vibrates the pipe work again filling valve diaphragm failure which needs replacing huge hammer noises can come out from them specially when people done their business inside a toilet and toilet it’s still filling up after flush and they washing the hands at the same time vibration increases even more . Next part faulty taps sold on a discounted price , when you wash hands open the tap and shut creates shockwaves into a pipe work, in this scenario he needs double check valves fitted on hot and cold to prevent water from back pressure , best solution is to investigate toilet first than taps and replace them for something similar design or fully turned shut off taps . If I was you report that neighbours to the council straight away, it’s not your fault let him get a proba experience plumber and sort that out and diagnose all system.
[automerge]1595447948[/automerge]
Other faults , shower cartridge , and double check valves . basically you need someone to investigate their property.
Thank you so much for your reply, I really appreciate it... At the moment they are fitting a new kitchen and then the bathrooms next so when the people come to do the bathroom I'll tackle them and ask them to check those, things, my little girl is waiting for our house to sound like a war zone as she saw, the dishwasher and washing machine being delivered today and she's scared it'll set things off worse
[automerge]1595528955[/automerge]
Years ago, about 10, I temporarily ( with a view to being permanent ) fitted a loop of plastic pipe from a stopcock and connected back onto the house mains to stop a similar situation.
There was enough room, so I looped about 2 metres of plastic pipe off the stopcock back onto the cold water supply and it fixed the problem.
The plastic pipe loop took all the water hammer and relived the noise in the property.

I've never heard back from the customer after 'temporarily' fixing the problem, so it worked initially and may still be working to this day.... Or it may have failed and they have never wanted me back for repairs?
Thank you got your reply I'm grateful to you for your advice, I'm sure you did a grand job and the piping is still holding well even now... Our councils grounds crew fitted rubber piping from the stopcock in the front garden up to as close as they could get to the T junction that's under our porch, they wanted to replace that too but couldn't get to it.. Now Thames water thinks it's that that's the problem the T junction and the bit that's t's off and splits to my neighbours house, If the council don't want to put us on our own supply like Thames water have suggested I might try and see if they can do the rubber piping from next door to mine to see if that works, if they won't do it I'll get quotes on how much and do it myself so my family can finally get some peace
 
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