Hi, I recently posted this thread elsewhere but have yet to find the source of the problem! The pattern doesn't seem to add up to the obvious answer of pipes expanding / contracting, so I have broken down the key points below. If anyone has any ideas of what it might be that would be super helpful! Here is a video of the sound: https://youtu.be/XCpi6KU-6_w The noise Tapping / clicking / popping sound (quite high-pitched, rather than a bang or knock) seemingly coming from the bathroom wall or ceiling (internal stud wall). When you put your ear to the wall, you can hear a lot more going on than what is audible in the room. Lots of smaller taps, each one different in pitch and volume. Sometimes sounds like crunching, dripping, or someone dropping tiny wet stones. Can't hear any rustling, scurrying or munching. When and for how long Duration varies, but mostly lasts for at least 2-6+ hours at a time. Happens every day, with no pattern to times or duration; can be morning, afternoon, evening and throughout the night. Triggers None! Not linked to any activity within my property; not caused by running water, using the heating, having a shower, using extractor fan, or running any appliances etc. Due to it happening all times of the day or night, possibly not triggered by temperature either? What I've tried so far: Checked for areas of damp - no water leaks Turned of mains water supply - no change Turned off all power via fuse box - no change Banged on the walls - no change Have listened to the wall / ceiling using a stethoscope but it's not picking up the source
It does in the video, but in person it's a very loud tapping or clicking sound. I've sent the video to a plumber and they don't think it's dripping water, but don't have any other suggestions!
Ahh yes I should have clarified, the flats above and below me can't hear anything, and neither can the flat next door
Think I'd drill a couple of holes in the area where perceived loudest and have a look with an inspection camera, someone you know might have one otherwise theyre not too expensive connected via an app on your phone.
It has to be pipe related really, I can't think of anything else in a wall that could cause any noise. Find out where in the wall it sounds loudest and as mentioned, drill a small hole in that area to insert a borescope type camera.
Do you think it could possibly be electrical? I don't think any pipework runs down that wall, but I have scanned it and there is a lot of electrical cable in there.
The soil pipe is in that corner closest to the noise. We took the shaver point out this weekend to have a good look inside the soil pipe section, no signs of a leak. I would have thought if it was dripping in the pipe itself the floor above or below would be able to hear too?
What’s on the other side of this stud wall ? Your flat ? Can you hear it as well on the other side ? Does sound like a drip on an existing pool or wet surface. It could be the soil pipe, some overflowing cistern from flat(s) above hence noise but no leaks. Unlikely anything electrical
The other side of the stud wall is the corridor, and you can't hear the noise from there (or sometimes only very faintly). It sounds more like a tap or a click rather than a drip (only sometimes sounds like dripping if you press your ear to the wall). That does make sense about the drips in the soil pipe, but I'm just confused as to why nobody else would hear it?
Noises in pipes is a science in itself ! The noise can resonate within the pipe making it loud in one part of the pipe and practically silent in another. See if you can use a stethoscope on the pipe via vour shaver socket access.
It does sound like a steady drip from a height. I listened with headphones for better sound. The pipe or wall space amplifies the sound.