I have listened to your very helpful radio program since its inception, but have never called.For the past three years we have experienced a tapping or thumping noise in the water pipes each time we turn on the hot water faucets. The house is 21 years old, but we noticed it particularly after a new water heater was installed four years ago. I have talked with two plumbers this past year, only to be told that the noise was due to the expansion of the pipes. Do you have any suggestions that might help? The noise is very irritating.
My second question is regarding seamless rain gutters. We are planning to have new ones installed soon and were advised that these would be preferable. Do you have any preferences over the copper or galvanized steel (I recall you recommended the latter, but one of our neighbors has installed the copper)?
Don't be alarmed. The resolve to your pipe noise should be pretty simple. If your pipes were quiet for 18 of 21 years, then it should be easy to make them silent again. New pressure from a clean, free-flowing water heater has probably put a strain on old dried-out washers in your faucets.
This do-it-yourself project will take about 20 minutes per faucet at a cost of twenty-cents per washer (two per handle). After the gaskets are replaced the water heater should be bled.
The simplest way to bleed a water heater is to attach a hose to the outlet at the bottom of the tank and turn the valve on. After about 20 to 40 seconds, when the escaping water stops sputtering, the tank is bled and the valve should be closed.
As for your second question, both types of gutters are OK. Copper is by far the best, and longest lasting, but is quite a bit more expensive. If gutters in your neighborhood are mostly copper it would be wise to install the same material on your home also. The same holds true for galvanized.
And thanks for listening to us on the radio. We really enjoy doing the program!
