Rushing Water Sound From Hot Water Cylinder

Sierra Oscar

Hi all,

I just noticed something peculiar in the plumbing system of my house which I have not noticed to date. Basically, every now and then, there is a sound of rushing water coming from our hot water cylinder. It is almost as if water is rushing out (or in) of the tank at a rapid rate - I have never heard as loud a noise coming from the tank to date. I mean, this is not the ordinary sound you get when you turn on or off a hot water tap, it is really loud. When I put my hand on the pipe which is coming out of the top of the tank when this noise is occurring I can feel it vibrating pretty viciously.

My room is next door to the tank so I can hear the noise quite clearly, and I only began hearing it from last night onwards. The noise might occur on or off for two or three minutes, with each 'burst' lasting for ten to fifteen seconds.

I think it might be related to the central heating system in some way (which is an oil burner). I say this because I heard it again today at around 5PM, when the central heating was timed to start firing, and I heard it again at around 12:30AM when the heating was due to switch off. Tonight I am certain that there were no hot water taps being used when I heard the noise. Admittedly I didn't hear it in between those times because I wasn't in the house myself.

EDIT: Although just after hearing it occur another three times now and the heating has been off for over an hour, so maybe it is not related to that. Cant really understand what is causing the noise though, as no one is using any water in the house at 1:20AM.

Anyone have any ideas? It might be nothing, but it is annoying all the same. I can even hear the noise very clearly in the room directly below the tank.

corkgsxr

have you motorised valves on the system

Sierra Oscar

corkgsxr wrote: »

have you motorised valves on the system

Yes, I do indeed. Ill attach two photos just to illustrate the Valve's on the system as I am not all that familiar with them (this is my parents home). There are three zones in the house hence why it might look a little complicated.

Image 1

Image 2

Sierra Oscar

Spoke to a plumber mate of mine about it and he says he is going to have a look at it soon. He reckons it is the hot water cylinder itself that is at fault, that perhaps the coil inside of it is cracked.

It is one of the old copper cylinders, it is 32 years old! There is also a loud 'bang' from the tank every time a hot water tap is used and then closed.

aujopimur

A few lenghts of insulation would'nt go to waste.

DoneDL

aujopimur wrote: »

A few lenghts of insulation would'nt go to waste.

+1 I would check for air in the system also.