Water/Sewage Problem

[TexasRedneck]

Harmonics is a VERY strange thing, believe me! Several years back, had a customer in DT San Antonio that swore my equipment was creating noise in their building - a low, rumbling noise. Turns out SAWS was digging a section of the street up around the corner from them, and a piece of equipment was causing a vibration that transmitted through the pipes.

[Randyk47]

Originally Posted by TexasRedneck

Harmonics is a VERY strange thing, believe me! Several years back, had a customer in DT San Antonio that swore my equipment was creating noise in their building - a low, rumbling noise. Turns out SAWS was digging a section of the street up around the corner from them, and a piece of equipment was causing a vibration that transmitted through the pipes.

If it is just harmonics then it might require digging up some lines and surrounding them with finer gravel. Guess a good plumber, which finding is no easy task, might know how to fix. I'd suggest a new water meter for the neighbor but my neighbor had a new one put in a year ago because of a different issue and the new one makes as much noise as the old one. Surprisingly my meter, less than two feet away, makes no noise.

[TexasRedneck]

Lots of variables - even a difference of a .25 gpm can change things. Even the piping configuration can affect things.....

[Hedgehog_Mom]

Originally Posted by b0knows

Update on my situation:

I talked to some guys laying sprinkler pipes at my neighbors across the street. From my description, they say it is most likely due to the water pressure being too high, so a pressure gauge is needed which would be about $300-400. I doubt my neighbor would pay that if they're not having issues. Since we're both pretty new to the neighborhood, meaning both of us should still have our home warranty coverage, I'm going to call someone to check it out. If they recommend the same, I'll suggest that they get it fixed under their home warranty which would save some money for them.

Your neighbor can buy a pressure gauge at Home Depot for $10 which screws onto the outside hose bib. Watts 3/4 in. Plastic Water Pressure Test Gauge-DP IWTG - The Home Depot Leave it attached for 24 hours, and the red needle will show the highest that the water pressure got.

The water pressure affects more than just their sprinkler system, it can cause leaks inside the house and makes you use more water when you shower or turn on a faucet, leading to higher water bills. The pressure reducing valve can be adjusted as long as it still works. It's probably in a hole near the water meter, looks like a brass bell with a screw on top.

The actual pressure reducing valve is pretty cheap to buy. I think the labor to put it in is what's expensive because it can involve some digging. But they should get a pressure gauge to diagnose the problem and should try adjusting the valve before replacing it.

I'm pretty sure the home warranty wouldn't cover it unless they're still in the time period where the builder will fix everything...for my house that was the first year and my pressure reducing valve didn't go out until the second year I was here.