What's wrong with my pipes?

Question

In the last few weeks, every once in awhile after we flush the toilet, run the washing machine or fill up the tub we've been hearing a loud "wooo" (that's the best description I've got...kinda like a groaning noise) that lasts for a few minutes. In the last couple of days it has been getting louder and worse. What could this possibly be?

Answer 1

If you drill a small hole in the wall and spray insulation at the pressure arrestor pipes at the noisy fixtures (they run vertically for about 12" both hot and cold) that should slow or stop the vibration/ "wooo" and keep things quieter.

Answer 2

You have water hammer in the pipes... that noise is actually a vibration of the pipe.  I imagaine that the pipe has come loose from its hold and is now able to vibrate as water runs through it.  Try to locate the source of the noise and see what you can do to secure the pipe... this should fix that noise.

Answer 3

I'm not a plumber but it sounds like there might be air trapped in the system.

To get it out, you need to continually run water for a while. It slowly pushes the air out.