Welcome to the forum. Although you can post in any forum, the USA forum is here in case of local regs or laws

Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

Jul 15, 2018
101
10
18
Glasgow
Member Type
DIY or Homeowner
Hello sorry if this message doesn’t go to the correct part of the site I’ve just joined and need help. Problem I’ve got is whenever I run any tap in my house there is a loud droning noise a bit like a ship. You hear the noise anywhere downstairs or upstairs but especiallyunderneath the kitchen sink where the stopcock is! If I open one tap anywhere the noise is there if I open another tap the noise gets louder if I open theboth taps up full or even a thirdtap full the noise gets really loudand then you hear it disappearfast, after it has disappeared andI close the 3rd tap the noise is still not there, after I close 2ndtap the noise is not there, and obviously when I close the lasttap it stops. But when I startagain and open any tap sameagain the loud noise is there!Don’t think it’s water hammer asthere’s no banging. I recentlyfitted a new downstairs toiletand sink with new mixer tap. Ican’t really remember if theproblem was as bad before I installed the new stuff. I’veturned the inside mains of at stopcock and also outside mainsto have a look at the stopcock, changed the washer on thestopcock but still nothing. For a moment when I changed thenew washer I ran the kitchen tapand there was no noise at all,but it only lasted for a min thenit returned. If I get to the bottomof it I’m sure I’d manage to fix itmyself but just don’t knowwhere to start.
 
You say you changed the washer on the stopcock, was the jumper( the part you put the washer on ) really loose? Sometimes they wear so much, the flow of water can spin them and cause a horrible noise.
 
You say you changed the washer on the stopcock, was the jumper( the part you put the washer on ) really loose? Sometimes they wear so much, the flow of water can spin them and cause a horrible noise.

Yes the part that washer goes onto was loose, but thought it was almost as loose as a new one that I had purchased. I would have fitted new insert but new one was to small to just took back to shop. You reckon I just need a new stopcock insert?
 
Yes the part that washer goes onto was loose, but thought it was almost as loose as a new one that I had purchased. I would have fitted new insert but new one was to small to just took back to shop. You reckon I just need a new stopcock insert?
Replace the stopcock
 
It’s worth a try, they’re only a few quid. Not saying it’s definitely the problem, but it’s worked for me so many times.
 
Hi,
Its a small steel cyliner fitted inline after the stopcock that absorbs pressure fluctuations when a tap is opened.
 
It is probably best fitted as close as possible to the tap making the noise.

The noise is made throughout the full house from any tap that is opened but but is loudest at the stopcock. I’ll try replacing the inside of the stopcock first of all and see if that helps, thanks for the reply’s
 
Honestly don't think it's your stoptap at all... Going to be a tap cartridge on one of your taps. Do you have any lever taps, 1/4 turn taps? If so isolate them all to eliminate the noise turning one on at a time until the noise reappears then you will know which tap is the culprit. By isolate I mean on a isolation valve hopefully on the pipes leading to taps.
 
Honestly don't think it's your stoptap at all... Going to be a tap cartridge on one of your taps. Do you have any lever taps, 1/4 turn taps? If so isolate them all to eliminate the noise turning one on at a time until the noise reappears then you will know which tap is the culprit. By isolate I mean on a isolation valve hopefully on the pipes leading to taps.

I don’t have any lever taps or quarter turn taps. I did install a new waterfall tap in a new toilet suite but that’s brand new. Any tap that I open up downstairs or upstairs you hear the noise coming throughout the full house but when I open cupboard where stopcock is the noise is really loud
 

Official Sponsors of Plumbers Talk

Similar plumbing topics

We recommend City Plumbing Supplies, BES, and Plumbing Superstore for all plumbing supplies.