Noisy pipes

Nisha2021 · 26 Feb 2021

Hey there,
We have recently redone our bathroom and ever since the plumber changed the water pipes, they are making noise. The noise comes and goes. We have some photos of the pipe work, taken out of interest. The plumber said he did not put any insulation around the pipes but did pin them down. One other plumber told us that the pipes are too close together. Please could you have a look into this. During the night the noise does not let me sleep, causing so much stress...
Much appreciated,
Nisha

Madrab · 26 Feb 2021

What kind of noise is it they are making? Is it the noise of the water through the pipes or are they ticking/clicking? IMO they are too close together.

Out of interest is that on the ground floor and are those joist sitting on something below?

I'd be a little more concerned about the size/depth of the notches that have been made in those joists to get all that to fit TBH.

Nisha2021 · 26 Feb 2021

Thank you for your reply. These are ticking, clicking and like someone is nailing in the wall. It's a first floor. The kitchen is below the bathroom.
What can we do now? What are our options now?
Thanks and regards,
Nisha

Madrab · 26 Feb 2021

The only thing that can really be done is either re-do the pipework or insert material in between the pipes themselves to stop them expanding and contracting against each other which is undoubtedly what's causing the noise. Correct setting out is plumbing 101 though.

Not being on site it's difficult to suggest if the notching of the joists is an issue but I wouldn't have fitted that much into one notch, especially with the waste pipes in there too. Not sure what can be done about it but I'd be tempted to get an experienced/recommended joiner in to assess their condition.

Did the plumber come recommended?

Nisha2021 · 26 Feb 2021

Ok, bathroom is all tiled and shower cubicle on top of the it. The plumber is saying his pipework is ok . It's only waste pipe. He will try to move the waste pipe from the top so that it is not touching the vanity unit.. I don't think it is that.

We are in Caversham, do you live near by ? Can you recommend anyone ?
We hired him from this website called my builder.com based on some good reviews..
Wish we hadn't!
Really so much headache managing this with a toddler...
Thank you so much for your time.

Madrab · 26 Feb 2021

Appreciate you don't need the headache especially with a toddler. Unfortunately though I'm up North so no where near you. Someone else on the forum who's closer, may be able to offer some recommendations.

If it's all now tiled in/under then it may be a little late to get it sorted properly though. I presumed, given the photos, that the work was just at the 1st fix stage but given the latest information it sounds like it's complete and now you are getting the pipe movement.

Plastic pipe can click depending on how it's set out but that's usually only when hot/cold water is run down it and it then stops after a time, if your hearing clicking constantly through the night then that would suggest it could be the copper.

Unfortunately, I do have to say that some of the trade review sites, in my experience, aren't worth the attention they get. A percentage of repair work I get called out to do is following on from work performed by companies that the customers found on trade comparison/review sites and is now starting to fail. More so over the last 5 odd years, since the advent of these sites.

Nisha2021 · 26 Feb 2021

Thank you so much for the info. Yes, it is day and night. Night times is the worst so have to clase two sets of doors to sleep as it seems pretty loud at night .

We are learning the hard way .
Thanks and regards,

Madrab · 26 Feb 2021

I think you need to give the tradesperson the opportunity to fix it but tbh give the pics that might not be an easy task. Given the room is complete then if what is proposed doesn't fix it then where then, that's the question really.

Just noticed that there are also 2 swept tee's running away from each other, so at least one of them is wrong. Is the shower sitting above those pipes and on those notched joists, where the black pipe in the centre is running to?

Where does the sound seem to come from?

Can I suggest that you maybe want to pop this message into the wood forum too with the pics and ask about the joists. I don't mean to sound like the doom and gloom but I really am concerned about the size of the cuts in all the joists, especially with a shower sitting on it too. How large is the shower? @dilalio, @Hugh Jaleak

Hugh Jaleak · 26 Feb 2021

Good Grief, that is NOT safe if he's done what I think he's done. You have nothing supporting an area of the floor now, looks like sections of the joists have been cut out completely! I would seriously suggest you do NOT use that area of the room until it has been checked and deemed safe by a Competent Builder. Good call Madrab, Nisha, this cowboy needs reporting, before you or someone else gets hurt.

Plumbing leaves a lot to be desired too, why on earth he's got those pipes coming back on themselves I dont not know, very poor layout. Waste is also wrong. To be honest, the whole lot probably needs doing again, properly. After the floor has been repaired and strengthened.

sxturbo · 26 Feb 2021

Lag the pipes this stops the clicking and banging.

I've done mine in my house when I moved in it sounded horrendous, lagged the pipes to stop them touching themselves and where they rest and now quiet as a mouse.

Edit: just read the other comments and looked at pictures, I share the s.ame thoughts about the joists, it's rather concerning,

sxturbo · 26 Feb 2021

Lol,

I'm sure there is a reason for this, at least that's what I hope...

Nisha2021 · 26 Feb 2021

Hey all,
Thank you for your reply. On the left is the shower cubicle 1000x800mm with 8mm thick glass. The noise is mostly coming from the sink area. Please see attached pic.
One of the waste pipe running into the wall on the left was there before so he left it there. It does not do anything. It's a 1930s semi detached house.
There was a bath tub before.
The plumber is saying he will fix it by moving the waste pipe from the outside wall or opening the kitchen ceiling.
Now , I am also extremely concerned about the joists . I am sure the best way forward is to take all out and support the joists first and then do the pipework. I don't trust him so what are my options? I have already paid him.
Thank you very much for your advice.

Mush appreciated.

sxturbo · 26 Feb 2021

Does the floor feel bouncy,

I presume not tbh as the tiles and hard board are likely holding it all together.

Where the sink is,.is where all the pipes are closest, I don't think it's just the waste that's the problem, but all you can do is try.

The final finish of the bathroom looks nice.

Nisha2021 · 26 Feb 2021

Thank you, we like his tiling and finish but what happened underneath and this noise. I guess he is not good at plumbing.
The noise has been coming from the pipes the day he put them . He kept saying it was the boiler and he would fix it. We just trusted his words ... This morning he said it is the waste pipe. Why is it making noise at night when noone is using the bathroom.. ? Is it connected to the heating system? Will it stop if I turn off the heating?
The loud ones are by the sink area and also shower cubicle that is closed to the sink. Pipes are under the sink and shower cubicle.. please see photos...
Thanks and regards,
Nisha

Nisha2021 · 27 Feb 2021

Can I send a video of the noise here..? I have tried twice but failed .

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