Extremely loud vibration in bathroom after taking a shower

[Rmay635703]

Odd one, had an extremely loud vibration localized in the bathroom after taking a shower this morning had 3x 1 minute bursts spaced about a minute apart. The chimney “tower” is behind one of the walls.

It was generalized so I couldn’t identify what was vibrating, but much louder in the bathroom went in the basement under the bathroom to the water heater and gas heater and although I could feel some vibration it was much softer and less loud.

I was concerned the roof was shifting or the water heater was wanting to explode because it was quite intense.

There is basically nothing in the bathroom or roof so no idea what would have the power to vibrate a room loudly.

 

[shortyb]

Does your shower drain slower than before? Could be you have a build up in the drains that is causing "wave draining" where the water doesn't drain smoothly, rather in waves. This causes the vent stack to vibrate and can be very loud if the pipe isn't securely fastened to the structure.

 

[Pablo]

Maybe a pipe strap or hold down is loose?

 

[Rmay635703]

Does your shower drain slower than before? Could be you have a build up in the drains that is causing "wave draining" where the water doesn't drain smoothly, rather in waves. This causes the vent stack to vibrate and can be very loud if the pipe isn't securely fastened to the structure.

Yes actually it was draining quite slow.

 

[bdc101]

I was gonna say the same thing as @shortyb, I might wonder about a drain pipe being clogged.

Also, if you have a bathtub that isn't used very often, the P-trap can dry up. When that happens you can hear what's going on in your sewer pipes a lot more (depending on where the bathtub is) and that might be causing or perhaps exacerbating the problem.

 

[shortyb]

Yes actually it was draining quite slow.

Get a good clean-out done by a professional with the proper tools (scrubber brushes, water jets, and camera inspection). Should clear it up.

 

[shortyb]

I was gonna say the same thing as @shortyb, I might wonder about a drain pipe being clogged.

Also, if you have a bathtub that isn't used very often, the P-trap can dry up. When that happens you can hear what's going on in your sewer pipes a lot more (depending on where the bathtub is) and that might be causing or perhaps exacerbating the problem.

Absolutely. A dry trap can cause similar draining issue and can re-siphon water from nearby fixtures. I put vegetable oil in the drains of my tubs that don't get used to prevent a dry trap.

 

[AZjeff]

Get a good clean-out done by a professional with the proper tools (scrubber brushes, water jets, and camera inspection). Should clear it up.

Will give your wallet a good cleaning as well.

 

[shortyb]

Will give your wallet a good cleaning as well.

Shop around I guess. I've never been able to clean my drains as well as the folks with proper equipment, especially if you need a root cutter. Luckily, I have a great, honest plumber that gets my drains really clean and is super reasonable with his price (he likes bourbon and cigars ). Cleans all the way to the street.

 

[AZjeff]

Here a water jet and camera job will be between $500 and $1000.

 

[Pablo]

Here a water jet and camera job will be between $500 and $1000.

This is what it cost me for my roof drain pipe under sidewalk to clogged "drain field" job lookie loo.

 

[walterjay]

I have seen that happen a number of times in my plumbing career. Usually caused by the toilet fill valve going bad or overpressure on the water supply. If it happens again immediately flush the toilet while the vibration is occurring and see if it stops

 

[Urshurak776]

I have seen that happen a number of times in my plumbing career. Usually caused by the toilet fill valve going bad or overpressure on the water supply. If it happens again immediately flush the toilet while the vibration is occurring and see if it stops

I was going to reply with the same thing. This happened to my next door neighbor. The water regulating valve was failing and they were basically getting city water pressure, which is like 100-110 PSI.

 

[bullwinkle]

I have seen that happen a number of times in my plumbing career. Usually caused by the toilet fill valve going bad or overpressure on the water supply. If it happens again immediately flush the toilet while the vibration is occurring and see if it stops

I was going to reply with the same thing. This happened to my next door neighbor. The water regulating valve was failing and they were basically getting city water pressure, which is like 100-110 PSI.

Sounds like water hammer! When my pressure regulator was failing every water pipe in the house would start banging whenever water was turned off!

 

[Urshurak776]

Sounds like water hammer! When my pressure regulator was failing every water pipe in the house would start banging whenever water was turned off!

When mine failed, it actually failed shut, so I was losing pressure until one day it stopped completely. I was kicking myself for not fixing it sooner. What made it worse was I was going out of town that same morning, so had to call a plumber to swap it out at the tune of $500.....my wife still gives me grief about it...

 

[DCDG]

Absolutely. A dry trap can cause similar draining issue and can re-siphon water from nearby fixtures. I put vegetable oil in the drains of my tubs that don't get used to prevent a dry trap.

Funny we did this during covid in the school district while the schools were closed.

 

[JohnnyG]

Sounds like water hammer! When my pressure regulator was failing every water pipe in the house would start banging whenever water was turned off!

This. Before you go through all that expense, try a few other things.
I have no idea of your home layout, but go to the highest faucet in the house, farthest from the water inlet and open it, see if you get any air out.
Along those same lines, I have no idea what kind of shower knobs that you have (a picture would be nice).
It is possible that the faucet washer is just loose inside the handle. Water hammer can be created with a loose faucet washer. You can also try opening or closing the valves a little to see if it makes a difference in the sound.

 

[DCDG]

could be the shower valve cartridge or even a failing toilet fill valve will cause a pressure drop and cause a situation like this.

 

[Passport1]

had an extremely loud vibration localized in the bathroom after taking a shower

Strange plumbing problem. Happened to me a couple of times many years ago. Odd thing it never happened when showering alone.

 

[Pablo]

I've had a lot of odd vibrations in the bathroom.