Squeaky Pipes

[purple]

About a minute after I have flushed my toilet, the pipes in the celing start to make a kind of high pitched screaming noise....has any one any idea of what this is, and how it can be fixed? I live in a flat, so i expect they can hear the noise in the upstairs flat too..

thanks

[stanleyman]

This is probably to do with high pressure water and the hydraulic noise that is made when the toilet valve starts to close and restrict the flow. May be stopped by fitting a pressure reducing valve or a water shock absorber.

[peterd]

Had exactly the same problem upto last week & stanleyman is correct. Before the problem was solved I ran the cold water tap on full for about 30 secs & it seemed to work. This was obviously a short term cure & not very cost effective but needs must sometimes.

[Hard@it]

Go up to the mains copper pipework at highest level and insert a tee , then put in a capped piece of copper, (about 12 to 15" in length) in a vertical position. This will trap air and give your system a buffer.

[Hard@it]

Did not note that you live in a flat - but the same method applies anywhere on the mains, as long as the pipe you add is vertical

[stanleyman]

That's a good idea Hard @it but plastic pipe and fittings can also be used for ease of fitting and it could be fitted lower down. The water will absorb the trapped air over a long period needing the mains water pipe to be drained to replenish the trapped air.

[guild]

The noise is likely to be water pressure in the cold water pipe that fills the toilet try turning the cold water stop **** up or down.You may find it under your kitchen sink.

[Hard@it]

Thanks Stanleyman.That is the whole point of putting the air pocket just above the highest point, as it will both compress and if any air finds it's way in and up then it assists. It takes a good number of years before it needs any replenishing.

[Hard@it]

stanleyman - re plastic, I would definitely not use plastic for vertical bit of tube,I would use 15/22mm copper and cap it with a Yorkshire cap end. plastic ok for tee piece. cheers