Need plumber opinions and suggestions please! Loud bang when toilets flush

You need hammer arresters installed on line right before flushometer. BTW it is code requirement.

ellenlourie

in Plumbing 8 years and 9 months ago

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stuyheights | 8 years and 9 months ago

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We recently completed a gut reno on a four story, 3 family brownstone which came with all of the stress and horror stories you here from anyone who has done one. Our plumber was hired by our original GC and was absolutely horrible. He didn’t know any codes and failed plumbing inspections at least 10 times. I have seemed to fix majority of the issues he left behind but one I can not fix is the loud “banging” noise when our top floor tenants flush the toilet.

We occupy the parlor, ground and finished the cellar into living space. I have uploaded some pictures we took of some of the rough plumbing the plumber did. You will see the waste line coming down from the upper floors down the parlor which goes into our master bath off off our master bedroom on the ground floor. It almost seems as though the “bang” we hear is worse when there is something being flushed (use your imagination with the addition of toilet paper).

The genius plumber put the waste line directly in the master bath which is now completely tiled and 100% finished with marble so ripping it out is not an op tion at this point. You will notice an elbow or some type of turn. Im wondering if the flush from the top floor is coming down with such force that it is hitting that elbow which in return is moving the pipe and banging against framing? Its driving me nuts!!!
Every time someone flushes the toilet in the middle of the night it wakes us up.

You will also notice the waste line on the parlor floor in one of the pics. It doesn’t look very secure to me. Im wondering if i should cut open some holes in the walls to secure the line better. The house is totally finished with plaster moldings and all so its going to be quite intrusive any which way I look at it but fixing the wall will be MUCH easier than the ceiling.

As far as the master bath, which seems to be the biggest concern for us, the pipe is laying directly next to the tile. Since the bathroom is totally finished, I’m trying to think of the best way to go about this and get some plumbing opinion as to what can be causing this and if I am on the right track. Maybe fill the void in between the finished shower and wall with cellulose insulation? I can’t see how I could secure that particular line any better without ripping out the shower.

I secured every single area in the cellar so I am certain its not coming from down there. Any ideas and suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated! I also came across these few articles. PS- It is not a water hammer. I am 10000% sure. I just put water hammer arrestors on every single toilet and fixture. Its certainly the waste line.

[IMG_0010](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:bXsY:img_0010.png.jpg) [IMG_0012](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:heFV:img_0012.png.jpg) [IMG_0013](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:qIIw:img_0013.png.jpg)

stuyheights | 8 years and 9 months ago

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The 1st imagine and 3rd imagine is the parlor floor. The 2nd one is the master bathroom with the waste line running along side of the shower. Green board was installed over that along with marble tile. The ceiling has not been tiled (yet) so cutting that open, if need be, is an option.

stuyheights | 8 years and 9 months ago

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Sorry- One last thing. I forgot to attach the articles I came across that I found relevant to my problem.

http://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?threads/loud-bang-noise-in-the-basement-after-flushing-the-toilet.17792/

http://ask.metafilter.com/227532/Why-is-our-toilet-drain-pipe-so-incredibly-loud

https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/alt.home.repair/Kb6kX6rXBJk

curiositykilledthecat | 8 years and 9 months ago

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There is a plumbing thread up top with a few recs, but I will repeat here. Sessa Plumbing is fantastic.

Master Plvmber | 8 years and 9 months ago

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There is nothing in the waste line to make noise, unless the plumber put a check valve in the line somewhere he shouldn’t have. Water hammer arrestors won’t mask the noise made by a loose or unsecured water pipe in the wall and your quick-closing toilet fill valve is going to be the cause of the problem.
The worst renovations, and the worst contracting work in general, happen in Brooklyn, NY. In fact, the opportunity for cheap, marginally skilled, overseas labor to sign work in residential buildings exists in Brooklyn like nowhere else in the tri-state area. I do consulting all over and being asked to remedy shoddy installations is easily half my business. I’ve been seeing this for years and it’s not slowing down.

MDR | 8 years and 9 months ago

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Try closing the water supply valve at the toilet and see if you still hear the noise after flushing the toilet. If you don’t, then the noise is coming from your water supply line that isn’t secured well. If you can’t access the pipe to fix the problem you could try closing down the supply valve partly and it should improve the problem (though the toilet will refill slower).