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Hi all. A few weeks ago, I posted that I was experiencing a loud humming sound from the pipes in my basement when using water. I read the advice and followed the sound to what I thought was the Pressure reducing valve, so I replaced it. The noise was gone for 1 week, then returned only not as loud. I read the advice from my old post and found that it might also be the cold water shutoff valve to the water heater , and sure enough while the humming sound was happening, I spun the valve closed and the sound went away. I repeated this several times and it's definitely the valve. So my question is, do I just solder on a new gate valve, or is there a larger problem here? I have a new PRV, and 'quiet pipes' hammer preventers on both my hot and cold water lines. I just want to make sure I know what to do before heading to the store. Thanks as always!
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It sounds like they may have the wrong type valve on the water heater.
If it has a round handle that you can spin as you say,,it must be either a gate valve or a globe valve.
A Gate valve is a full bore valve and should always be turned to the fully open position, which would leave the pipe open full bore.
A Globe valve has a rubber washer on the inner end of the stem which could cause the type of problem you are having. Globe valves are classified as "Throttling valves" and should never be used on a water heater supply line.
To check it out you could turn the House main water shutoff valve off, then drain the house distribution piping through a basement laundry sink or an outside hose bibb. The pull the stem of the valve. If you find a rubber BIBB washer on the inner end of the stem you could just replace that washer to alleviate the problem, but the proper fix would be to pull that valve out and replace it with a Gate Valve or Ball Valve. (Personally I much prefer the ball valves.) -
Thanks, Lazy Pup. I cut the gate valve out and installed a new gate valve. I appreciate your help!quote:Originally posted by LazyPup
It sounds like they may have the wrong type valve on the water heater.
If it has a round handle that you can spin as you say,,it must be either a gate valve or a globe valve.
A Gate valve is a full bore valve and should always be turned to the fully open position, which would leave the pipe open full bore.
A Globe valve has a rubber washer on the inner end of the stem which could cause the type of problem you are having. Globe valves are classified as "Throttling valves" and should never be used on a water heater supply line.
To check it out you could turn the House main water shutoff valve off, then drain the house distribution piping through a basement laundry sink or an outside hose bibb. The pull the stem of the valve. If you find a rubber BIBB washer on the inner end of the stem you could just replace that washer to alleviate the problem, but the proper fix would be to pull that valve out and replace it with a Gate Valve or Ball Valve. (Personally I much prefer the ball valves.)Comment
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