Humming pipes/fixtures

[JHZR2]

The pipes in my home are >80 years old. They don't hammer or knock... Until tonight. I was playing with the shower head, and all of a sudden the mixing handle (pull in/out for pressure/side to side for temp), and I suppose the feeder pipes, started humming. No matter what I did to the shower head or the mixture, the humming wouldnt stop.

Any ideas??

 

[GreeCguy]

Tell it the words to the song.

 

[Stelth]

I'm assuming it stopped when you turned the shower off? Since it happened while you were manipulating the shower head, maybe try a different head. It's very common for toilet ballcocks to make a humming sound, but they tend to do that when everything else is shut off. It sounds like you have a Moen shower valve. I've never heard of the old style valve making that sort of noise, but if it's a Moentrol valve, with a balancing spool, it seems possible. The Moentrol has a separate spool located in the valve body that can be removed (with the water off) to check for wear and/or foreign matter.

In short, a lot of things can cause vibration and/or humming in household water lines, but since it seems to be coming from the shower, I'd start there.

 

[JHZR2]

This is a very old Koehler. Just one control - in and out for pressure, side to side for temp. Inside its just a funny shaped plastic shaft that enables the flow and blend.

I don't have another shower head, am happy with ours, and it hasn't occurred until tonight.

 

[andyd]

If it happens again, open the faucets in the sink.

 

[pcoxe]

Air traps at several locations in the line will help prevent that. They act like little shock absorbers and mufflers.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Simple. You either have a cracked/loose washer in the faucet or debris from those 80 year old pipes have made their way into the faucet or the shower head. Either will cause humming, and since it started suddenly either could be the most likely cause. You don't experience it at any other faucet in the house (yet), so it's not a pressure issue. A washer can be slightly cracked and flutter, enough so that it creates the resonance, but still seals enough to prevent leaks (for now anyway).

Grab your mechanics stethoscope and find out where it's the loudest-either at the faucet or the shower head.

If it's the faucet, open it up, flush it out and rebuild or replace the cartridge (assuming it's a cartridge model) and replace the washers. If it's the shower head pull it off, take it apart, soak it in CLR, replace any washers, and then put it together and back onto the stem.

The harmonics can resonate through the pipes, but it's going to be at the faucet or shower head-most likely chunks of debris from those 80 year old pipes lodged at the faucet.

 

[JHZR2]

It's definitely the faucet. I can feel the vibration. Will try some service. We have a whole house filter, but we know there is some junk in the pipes.

 

[doitmyself]

Consider it part of the character of a pre WWII home and, as they say, "make lemonade". Do you play an instrument or do vocals?:

 

[JHZR2]

Well, there was never any humming from any pipes before, and just like that, it went away. I just washed out the shower head and made sure it was on tight.

Guess it was no big deal.

I know there is some residue in the pipes, but we use a whole house filter, do nothing comes in. Pipes are in great shape.

I think the showerhead was sucking a little air.