Water pipes very noisy.

[flobadob]

I've noticed recently that sometimes after I've run the tap in the kitchen when I turn it off there is a strange kind of a straining noise which sounds at the tap and also in the roofspace. This tap is straight from the mains. If this noise does start then I notice if I turn the tap on again very gently the water sort of comes out in drips and drabs but at more power comes out normally. This also seems to stop the noise quicker than letting it just run its course.

Does anyone know what could be causing this as it seems to have only started in the last couple of weeks. Someone said perhaps it is airlocked, if this is the case is it easy to fix or difficult? Would it help to turn the main water pressure coming into the house down a bit as I've noticed it is very high pressure on full power.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[The Builder]

Sounds like water hammer Flobbo...........your water suppliers might have played around with the water pressure recently......if it goes on.......ask a friendly plumber to fit a pressure regulator in the line...........simple job........shouldn't cost much :o)

[Panic Button]

Couldn't you just reduce the mains pressure by part closing the stopcock?

[flobadob]

I could reduce the pressure yes but would that have any effect?

[gucciman]

try it and see is the simple answer, you can always turn it back up.

water suppliers normally turn the pressure down rather than up, is the way they try to reduce leaks on the cheap.

i'm not a plumber but i can't see how mains water can become airlocked, its usually the hot water from a cylinder that does.

if its only started in the last 2 weeks then it could even be something simple like a washer.

[flobadob]

Well, I turned the pressure down there and I think it must have been extremely high because even when I turn the stopcock almost 2 full revolutions down the pressure was still high at the tap. Noise hasn't happened since so fingers crossed, touch wood and any other sayings that suffice.