Water pipes humming

[3DAMAN!]

Hey , can any one help with a humming set of water pipes? This started monday evening. The copper 1/2inch water pipes in the basement sounds as though they are vibrateing.Sort of a humming sound that changes pitches, will sound sorta meek at first, then later will sound much stronger.The sound will sometimes last a couple of minutes then stop for a minute or two and then repeat. This has been gradually becoming more frequent and louder! Thanks in advance for any help or redirect to another site that can explain the remedy.

 

[-Spike-]

Do they vibrate all the time, or only when a fixture is being used? Is one of your toilets leaking?

Most plumbing systems have an expansion chamber somewhere, that may have lost its air. You might try shutting off the water supply and draining the pipes, this might restore the air.

-Spike

 

[D'Animal]

Is it making a moaning noise?

You have air in the pipes. Check that all of your valves are turned off or not leaking. Start with the one highest in elevation, upstairs bathroom, etc.

 

[3DAMAN!]

Like bleeding them?

 

[RHINO]

sounds like a loose pipe.
air chamber problems have a bang or slam when you shut off the offending fixture.
air in the pipes is usually a groaning type noise that comes and goes as the water is being used,, mostly being used slowly. humming or vibrating is usually a loose pipe somewhere.
luckily its in your basement and i'll bet if you secure that pipe in a couple spots it'll stop. go to your home store and pick out the type fastener you need for how your pipe is mounted.

 

[3DAMAN!]

Thanks for all the advice fellows. Been beating and banging all over the pipes and did not find any loose pipes. I did notice the single toliet was running slightly. After turning the water off to that toliet the humming stopped. Went to the inter-web and found a couple of sites regarding plumbing problems and seems a valve in the tank leaking will indeed create noise in the pipes. Off to Lowes tomorrow. Thanks again!!!!!

 

[RHINO]

spike nailed it !

 

[-Spike-]

Meh, you had a better handle on the issue. 9 times out of 10 you'd have been right on that description. I used the shotgun method.

-Spike