Noise in Water Pipes

Burt Jackson has a problem with a groaning noise in his water pipes after some work was done at his house in LeRoy, OH.

Here's what he sent me:

"I had a tankless water heater installed. Now I have a low pitched growl in the water pipes.

The sound occurs in relationship to running water in the house but not at exactly the same time.

The sound is loud and lasts for 10-20 seconds.

The plumber that did the work wants to replace the pressure valve for $250.

He is SURE that is the issue but not sure enough to pay for it if it not the correct issue.

Any ideas?"

Here's my answer:

Burt, you need to take the time to try to hone in on where the sound is the strongest. 

Normally noise in water pipes is related to high-frequency vibrations or fluttering in a valve. It's common to have it happen in a toilet fill valve.

In your case, I'm suspecting that a piece of sediment was dislodged by the action of turning off your water and then turning it back on when the new heater was installed.

This piece of sediment could be stuck in the pressure valve.

Put on your Columbo trench coat and see if the sound happens no mater what fixture you use to draw water. Start at the CLOSEST fixture that gets water in your system. If you get the sound when you draw water there, that tells you the issue is in that fixture or between the fixture and where the water enters your house.