Noisy downpipe

[kevin_robson]

I have a small problem with one of our drainage downpipes at the side of the house. After it has been raining we sometimes hear a knocking/tapping noise from inside the house for an hour or two afterwards.

When I go outside the noise is coming from the guttering downpipe, and is basically individual drops of water dropping onto the bottom of the drain pipe at the bottom where it curves. I'm amazed it is as loud as it is in the house, but it is!

I've sprayed a hose down it from the roof and it doesn't seem to be blocked. If I spray water on the roof above one of our other downpipes it seems to flow down the sides of the downpipe, but the one causing the problems it seems to drip right down from the top to the bottom. Other that that I can see no differences.

Anyone any ideas - its next to our bedroom and driving us mad!
Thanks,
P.S. They are plastic pipes

 

[Roofer]

Hang a length of chain down the pipe, doesn't have to be big links, easily available from the DIY stores

 

[kevin_robson]

Thanks. But now I'm very confused...
What does the chain do? I'd have thought it would be more likely to rattle and cause noise?

 

[Mw Roofline]

Or rope, it like gives the water something to cling to and travel down, almost slows the water down yet carrying it through the pipe quickly.

That is right aint it roof?

 

[thespaceman]

I'm guessing it makes the water trickle down the chain rather than dropping quickly onto the bend.

 

[Roofer]

That's right.

I've even seen where a chain has been used withuot the downpipe, looks very unusual but it works

 

[Roofer]

Look here

 

[kevin_robson]

Excellent. You learn something every day. Will have a go with a home-made chain and hanger and see if it makes a difference.

Out of interest, is this a commong problem? As I said I was amazed we could hear dripping water this loud through a solid brick wall? Is there anything underlying that could be wrong, or am I just worrying too much.

Thanks all (esp roofer) for your help

 

[bikerm4]

Excellent. You learn something every day. Will have a go with a home-made chain and hanger and see if it makes a difference.

Out of interest, is this a commong problem? As I said I was amazed we could hear dripping water this loud through a solid brick wall? Is there anything underlying that could be wrong, or am I just worrying too much.

Thanks all (esp roofer) for your help

The problem is once you've heared the dripping you sit there listening for the next drip, bit like the chinese water torture

 

[masona]

The problem is once you've heared the dripping you sit there listening for the next drip, bit like the chinese water torture

In that case, take the downpipe away and leave the chains there instead

 

[Nige F]

Copper Chains + Chavs = TOT