I had a PRV that was leaking. Replaced it and things seemed fine for a few days. After that I started getting humming, vibrations in the pipes whenever a a faucet or water source was opened. It went away or seemed to if two or more faucets were opened at same time. No noise when water was off. No hammering. Drained the pipes of air. Was fine for a few days then sounds came back. Turned the pressure up to sixty PSI. Was fine for a few days and the noises came back but not as loud. I put in another new PRV and the story repeated itself. Any suggestions on what to do next?
PRV vibration
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James Henry
In the Trades
Someone posted a similar situation a while back. Turned out to be a loose washer in his hose bib. Check your fixtures.
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Not the fixtures. The pipes are so loud it will wake you in the middle of the night if someone uses the water. The city came out and replaced the meter and could hear it from outside the house. The meter made it a little quieter but it is still too annoying to just ignore. Copper pipes, house built in the early 80's. Never had this issue before. Made a call to the plumber and he said it sounds like a bad PRV. Can't believe I could get two bad ones.
hj
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I assume you did not install them backwards, because that can cause the sounds you are hearing.
James Henry
In the Trades
Just out of curiosity. Remove the aerator from the faucet and try again.
James Henry
In the Trades
Yes. Trying to see if restriction causes vibration.
So you are thinking that turning off the main caused some debris to come loose and go to all the outlet? That sounds interesting, but do you think that would cause such loud pipe noise? I will check when I get off work . Thanks
James Henry
In the Trades
I'm just guessing at this point. Can't diagnose it without actually being there.
Check your hose bibs for loose internal parts or maybe a pipe just came loose in the wall.
Took an aerator off and ran the water. Loud humming vibrating. Last night through this morning no sound, or at least not noticeable, but now back as loud as ever. Just when I think it is fixed it starts up again. Plumber suggested that it could be the city’s back flow preventer. Any thought on this? Thanks
I take it you no longer have the old one since you didn't give the model. That's unfortunate because you could have put it back in service for diagnostic purposes.
The easiest way to determine if the new PRV is causing the problem is to remove it from your system and see if that eliminates the vibrations.
Btw, do you have an expansion tank on the inlet to your water heater?
The easiest way to determine if the new PRV is causing the problem is to remove it from your system and see if that eliminates the vibrations.
Btw, do you have an expansion tank on the inlet to your water heater?
First thing is, you MUST have an expansion tank. Most PRV's (and many new service meters, act as one-way check valves. Without an expansion tank, the pressure will get very high from the water expanding in your water heater. The high pressure is enough to cause substantial plumbing damage (and is likely the reason your original PRV started leaking). If the PTR valve on your heater fails, the pressure can cause the tank to explode which could destroy your house and kill the occupants.
As far as diagnosing your vibration perv problem, the best way is by process of elimination. Since you first noticed the vibration after putting in the new PRV, then you should take it out and see if the vibration stops. You can plumb a pipe with a valve to bypass around the PRV or you can remove the PRV and install a temporary pipe in its place.
Btw, what is the water pressure coming from the street?
As far as diagnosing your vibration perv problem, the best way is by process of elimination. Since you first noticed the vibration after putting in the new PRV, then you should take it out and see if the vibration stops. You can plumb a pipe with a valve to bypass around the PRV or you can remove the PRV and install a temporary pipe in its place.
Btw, what is the water pressure coming from the street?
