Whining/noise returns after expansion tank install on cold water line - help!!

Nards01 · Jun 9, 2012

Recently, in one of my rentals, the water line developed a humming or whining sound and a burst of high pressure when the water was first turned on. I replaced the hot water tank last year and upon having this problem now, I added a Watts expansion tank and raised the house pressure to 50 up from 40. This solved the problem for about a day or two but the high pitched sound has returned. The pressure problem is gone. FYI when I installed the exp. tank I pressurized it to 50 to match the line pressure which the instructions said to do. Any suggestions to eliminate this sound would be greatly appreciated.

Runs with Bison · Jun 10, 2012

nards01 said:
Recently, in one of my rentals, the water line developed a humming or whining sound and a burst of high pressure when the water was first turned on. I replaced the hot water tank last year and upon having this problem now, I added a Watts expansion tank and raised the house pressure to 50 up from 40. This solved the problem for about a day or two but the high pitched sound has returned. The pressure problem is gone. FYI when I installed the exp. tank I pressurized it to 50 to match the line pressure which the instructions said to do. Any suggestions to eliminate this sound would be greatly appreciated.

Is it a "burst of high pressure" when the water is first turned on (at a faucet? or the main shut off?) or could it possibly be some gas accumulation at the fixture? Is there a PRV? I'm assuming you've placed a peak pressure indicating gauge somewhere to help troubleshoot what is happening. What is it telling you?

Where is the sound emanating from?

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

JohnjH2o1 · Jun 11, 2012

It sounds like a bad PRV valve. (pressure reducing valve)

John

Nards01 · Jun 11, 2012

FYI, when I installed the expansion tank about 3 weeks ago I used the PRV to adjust the house pressure from 40 to 50. I used a pressure tester to get the readings. Since the PRV did adjust, does that mean the PRV is still good?? Or can it be failing/bad and still allow for a pressure adjustment??

Toolaholic · Jun 11, 2012

How old is the PRV ? GALVY PIPE ?

JohnjH2o1 · Jun 11, 2012

You say your getting pressure spikes. That's telling me the PRV has failed.

John

Nards01 · Jun 11, 2012

No, I'm not getting any pressure spikes. I adjusted the pressure from 40 to 50. The pressure is steady now. It's the SOUND I'm trying to eliminate!!!!

JohnjH2o1 · Jun 11, 2012

I was going by this statement you made. (humming or whining sound and a burst of high pressure) That's what I call a spike.
John

Nards01 · Jun 11, 2012

Sorry John - but if you read further in that original post I said the "burst of pressure" problem is GONE now that the exp. tank is installed. The SOUND, although gone briefly, has returned. Thanks

Runs with Bison · Jun 11, 2012

Where are you hearing the sound? Near the PRV, near a specific fixture, throughout? Does it do this with any water draw (toilets, showers, faucets) or only specific ones. I'm trying to understand if it is flow rate dependent.

The one thing I've noticed with my PRV is that it chatters loudly when the sprinklers cycle--it is running max flow to reinventory each line as it switches. I rarely run the sprinklers, but I wondered what the racket was until I stood next to the PRV while they cycled to the next station.

Runs with Bison · Jun 11, 2012

2nd try at deleting duplicate post, message board has an echo, echo...echo...echo

Toolaholic · Jun 11, 2012

Go to kragen or any auto store and for around $7.00 get a stethoscope, They work great! Use it with My Borzit auger drilling under houses.

Toolaholic · Jun 11, 2012

try this

Go to kragen or any auto store and for around $7.00 get a stethoscope, They work great! Use it with My Borzit auger drilling under houses.

Jadnashua · Jun 11, 2012

Some toilet valves can make some annoying sounds if they're on their last legs. Try turning the supply off to various toilets and trying to create the sound. If you find one that stops it, either service or replace the fill valve of that toilet. Some have an easily replaceable seal, some don't...those that don't need to be replaced. Check out either Korky or Fluidmaster, both readily available, both work. Depends on the toilet whether you might need a special one.

Whining/noise returns after expansion tank install on cold water line - help!!

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