Continuous Water flow noise in pipes

pyounger · 13 Jun 2019

hi,
Over the past few days we have noticed a noise coming from our water pipes. The noise is similar to the normal flow of water similar to the noise from a toilet cistern filling, maybe not quite so forceful. If I turn to main stop cock off, it surprisingly doesn’t completely go away but is considerably reduced.

Whilst mentioning the stop cock, I did have mine replaced a few weeks ago because the old one seized up.

I’ve gone around the house and in the loft but can’t see any sign of leakage anywhere. Both the cold water storage tank and CH header tank ball cock values are ok too.

Any ideas?

Madrab · 13 Jun 2019

Are you on a water meter? If everything in the house is shut off is the meter still spinning?

If no meter take a screwdriver and place the tip on the stop tap and place the handle on your ear, can you still hear water running?

pyounger · 13 Jun 2019

Yes am on a meter, I’ll check it when the rain stops!

One thing I just did was turn off the stop cock then opened the cold taps and there was still a dribble of water then after a few minutes. Seemed odd for a 6 week old stop cock?..

gasbusters · 13 Jun 2019

Its possible the pipe/joint before the main stopcock was damaged when the new one was fitted, so any water running will still be heard in the pipework after the stockcock.

The only time i came across something similar, turned out to be a corroded water pipe under the kitchen tiles. Sounded like an upstairs tap was on all the time.

terryplumb · 13 Jun 2019

Check all the toilets cisterns and pans.( with the stopcock opened) .
Some wc's ,when there is a fault within the cistern, allow water to trickle into the pan ,which can be difficult to see, and the cistern is perpetually filling. This would stop if the mains stop cock was off though.So you have an issue there Anyway

pyounger · 13 Jun 2019

Just checked the water meter - it is clicking up the numbers, I guess that indicates a leak, probably under the floorboards?

terryplumb · 13 Jun 2019

Looks that way ,after the meter and before the stopcock. Where is the meter located relevant to the stopcock ?

Madrab · 13 Jun 2019

pyounger said:
One thing I just did was turn off the stop cock then opened the cold taps and there was still a dribble of water then after a few minutes

That will probably just be the water in the pipework either up or downstream of that tap draining out.

If you shut off the new stop tap and the meter still runs then as suggested you have a leak between the meter and the stop tap somewhere. I'd advise you get it found quickly as it is costing you.

pyounger · 13 Jun 2019

terryplumb said:
Looks that way ,after the meter and before the stopcock. Where is the meter located relevant to the stopcock ?

The meter is on the pavement about 20ft from front door and the stop cock is about 20ft from front door in a direct line

terryplumb · 13 Jun 2019

pyounger said:
The meter is on the pavement about 20ft from front door and the stop cock is about 20ft from front door in a direct line

Is there any water leaking at the meter?
Is there any water leaking at the stopcock ,bottom Joint ?
If not then it can be anywhere on the underground pipe run between the two.
Your house insurance may cover you for trace and repair.

pyounger · 13 Jun 2019

I’ll check insurance

pyounger · 14 Jun 2019

If anyone is interested, I phoned insurers and they will cover the costs including loss of metered water and the relaying of driveway. They told me to ring water company, who said they would estimate wasted water from when I noticed the problem until it’s fixed and make a billing allowance based on normal usage. They are sending someone to inspect next week.

Also note that now the rain has stopped and roads/drives dried up I have noticed a big puddle in the centre in direct line with the front door and the water meter, so I think we can safely conclude that there is a problem there!

undertrained · 14 Jun 2019

Check with your water company, some offer a free one off repair.

dilalio · 15 Jun 2019

And be prepared for debris to go up your incoming main and get caught at outlets /filters etc. They should take precautions when doing the repair but it does happen that some gets through... If you have an outside tap, its a good idea to have that open when they reinstate the supply, as a means of flushing the pipework from the repair.

Ian H · 16 Jun 2019

pyounger said:
They are sending someone to inspect next week.

I do that for work.

We dig onto the leak then have to phone through and give a cause of damage, quite often if they class it as wear and tear (corrosion) or install error (not deep enough/not bedded in sand) the insurance company don’t cover the actual repair to the pipe.

But if they don’t the repair is often less than the policy excess.

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Continuous Water flow noise in pipes

undertrained

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