Vibration through carpets, floorboards and house.

[Fish73]

We live in an old three storey houses built in the 1960’s. Both adjoining properties have been heavily modified wooden floorboards, new ceiling etc. The new neighbour, himself (normal engineer) has replaced and installed a new central heating, possibly moving the boiler into the household. The other neighbour has installed a shower system downstairs. Also we’ve had a replacement conventional boiler tank installed after a leak and Magnaclean filter re-installed by Gas Safe Engineers. It is off currently, except when we top up water.

The problem started initially a few months back, with low frequency humming noise reverberating through the property at set times at night, keeping us awake. Recently though this has worsened as the low frequency audible noise is now accompanied by unbearable vibrations going through the floors, ceilings, walls of our property. It feels like it’s continuously on, topping up, if and when required. So when it’s cold the property vibrates in the morning, but night time the noise, pressure and vibrations gradually worsen to become unbearably loud, and intense. As it affects all our floors, downstairs and up, we don’t know what is exactly is the cause. Have you any ideas or possibilities what is a possible cause, and solution?

If you could please help us it would be appreciated. Is there a way to track the vibration down as well? We don’t mind calling in experienced tradesmen and skilled professionals but which one?

Thank You for your help.

 

[JohnD]

Very likely it is caused by a float valve (ballcock) in a loft tank or WC cistern. Flushing the WC or running a hot tap will use enough water to drop the float below the height at which it vibrates. Ask each resident to do that, but not all at the same time. Once identified, just swap the valve for a new one - they are not expensive. Post a pic of the old one for advice on what to choose. You can also clamp the pipes firmly to walls or joists to reduce their vibration, but deal with the valve first.

if it is caused by an electric motor or pump, ask each of the residents to turn off their boiler circuit, in turn. If that doesn't work, ask them to turn off their main switch, one at a time. If that doesn't work, it must be a simple plumbing problem (see above)

 

[Fish73]

Thanks John. Really appreciated.

We're looking into every conceivable avenue currently as the vibrations, and noise is so bad, especially at night time after 10pm, when it ramps up and makes sleeping or normal routine difficult. We can pick up the noise, and vibrations but would a professional tradesman recognize or identify this sound? Or is it too low? As we'd have to speak with both neighbours (and live with them).

A question if we asked the Neighbours to put their boiler or pump at the highest setting, would it be possibly to identify the vibrations, and noise in the adjoining house? Or does it take time to ramp up? Or is there another way?

 

[JohnD]

pressure in the water mains is highest at night, so noisiest, and people run less water, so tanks are at their fullest (especially if the valve drips a bit)

Try my suggs. You could even try asking all the occupants to turn off their stop-cocks for a night.

But I would certainly start by checking the ball-cocks because it is such a common cause.