Whooshing noise in upstairs mixer tap - cold water only

[Mark Hunter]

Hi everyone.

I've done some online and forum searching to resolve this, but not being a technical person I find that the discussions delve into areas unknown to me! I have had plumbing problems on and off in my house (1930s build, showing its age!), but a constant had been a water hammer sound and a whooshing sound when opening up the cold taps in the upstairs bathroom. Yesterday I finally got round to draining and refilling the system which has sorted the water hammer but the strange whooshing sound remains in the upstairs bathroom. It only applies to the two taps (both mixers) and only when the cold water is being used and seems to be worse (or maybe just more noticeable) when the taps are turned on a little.

In case it helps, I had to reduce the pressure of the water coming into the system via a tap under the kitchen sink because the power was causing a slight banging on the kitchen tap when turned off - it really was very powerful! Ideas and help appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark

UPDATE

Ok, so it seems that every tap in the house makes this sound now, and the toilets have started doing it again now when they refill. I've fiddled with the tap that alters the water pressure under the sink but even at a very low pressure the sound is still audible. Should I be focusing on the water main outside?

 

[JCplumb]

Without being there and hearing it and checking out your existing pipework I doubt anyone will be able to give you a definitive answer. You could spend forever trying different things with or without success, or you could get a plumber in.
Draining and refilling the system will have temporarily stopped the water hammer because you introduced air into the pipes which is acting as a damper, once the air is gone I'm afraid you'll get the water hammer back.

 

[Mike Jackson]

I very much doubt that the tap that alters the water pressure is actually doing anything to the pressure. I suspect that it's the main stop tap and you are in fact restricting the flow. If you suffer from excessive water pressure you need to get a pressure reducing valve fitted.