Random water noise in flat, can't figure out what it is... All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[atlascedar]

Hi there,

For the last week or so, I've been hearing a sudden splashing noise out of the blue, sometimes preceded by a thud or a knocking sound.

It sounds like it is right in the room with me, and my first thought was a broken pipe in the wall, but then I thought it might be coming from the radiator.

To check, I bled some radiators in my flat, though only one needed to be bled. I also switched off the heating, and even cut off the water supply to my place overnight to see if any of those things stopped the noise, but none of it has.

So far, the noise happens once per evening, but it is happening at random times. Last night, however, it happened three times... at 2, 3.30 and 6.45 am so far.

It is a sudden noise that only lasts for a split second, but a few times it has sounded like someone throwing a bucket of water on the floor, yet I can't see any water damage* (well, there is existing damage as the outer walls are crap in my flat, and there's some damp patches where the roof of my room meets the outer wall)...

There is a gutter pipe attached to the outer wall, so it could be that, but then, why would it be so random and intermittent (not weather related), and why would it just have started to happen now?

Anyway, if anyone has any clues to what it might be and how I might go about finding out what it is (and what to do about it), then I'd be most grateful, as I'm worried that my property is being water damaged but I just can't see it (yet).

Thanks,
AC

[stoneyboy]

Hi atlascedar
Most likely to be linked to your CH and the pump turning on and off causing water movement in the radiator. Try taking the fuse out of the supply to the heating system.
Regards S

[atlascedar]

Thanks for your reply.

I'm not sure how to do that, as my fuse box doesn't have a fuse for the heating system.

The controls for the boiler seem to be acting up, which might explain why the noises have been happening at some random times.

Is switching the boiler off likely to resolve the issue, or do you think I need to call in an engineer to have a look at it?

Any help is most gratefully appreciated, as I don't have a clue where to start with this.

Cheers,
AC

[stoneyboy]

Hi atlascedar,
There should be a fused spur, probably located near the boiler or the controller. Turn this off and see what happens.
Regards S

[atlascedar]

Thanks again for the reply, I found the fuse and switched off the boiler and then switched it back on again.

I haven't been hearing much in the way of weird noises recently, but there's still some disconcerting knocks and bangs going on, but I only just tried switching off the boiler so I'll see if that has any effect.

Cheers,
AC