Loud knocking from basement

ouch202 · 08-03-2010, 03:44 AM

Hi everyone, I'm hoping someone can help me out... This is my first post... Recently I have been hearing a random knocking noise coming from my basement.. It only knocks like two or three times, then it stops... and it'll do it again like maybe 5-6 hours later. By the time you realize it's doing it and you run down to see what it is, it's done. All I know is that it sounds like someone is banging on a pipe. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? We're not running water or flushing toilets or doing laundry or anything involving water when it does this.. I'm just at a loss.

**havasu** · 08-03-2010, 04:17 AM

Don't go into the basement!

Actually, it is common for pipes to expand and contract depending on heat or cold, and especially when they are not adequately secured in place. If you can pinpoint the sounds, either secure the pipe better or if they are not reachable, you could try the expanding foam in a can.

ouch202 · 08-03-2010, 04:19 AM

It just seems odd that this would just start after living here for over a year.

**havasu** · 08-03-2010, 04:57 AM

Is your water heater in the basement as well?

ouch202 · 08-03-2010, 01:28 PM

Yeah... All that is down there are the pipes, which seem pretty secure, a water heater, a toilet, washer, dryer, and my furnace. The furnace isn't even on, and it does it when the washer and dryer are off so I eliminated those two.

**majakdragon** · 08-03-2010, 02:27 PM

I would guess it is more of the house moving, than the pipes, since you are not using water when it happens. As temperatures rise and fall, the structure expands and contracts. If it is in the piping, it may just be a stud or joist rubbing against it during the expansion or contraction cycle.

**phishfood** · 08-04-2010, 01:03 AM

Well, after a year, the ghosts have finally become comfortable with you guys.

ouch202 · 08-04-2010, 02:08 AM

we have ridiculously high water pressure from our line, so we have that the main valve that turns on/off your water only open like half way, to limit the pressure coming in. could some extra be coming through and making the pipes bang like that?

i hope it's not ghosts. actually, ghosts are probably cheaper.

**havasu** · 08-04-2010, 04:20 AM

Why not do it correctly and install a pressure regulator?

ouch202 · 08-04-2010, 04:22 AM

I'm sorry but I don't know what that is. Could that be something that would cause a knock? I'm a woman who bought her very first house about a year and a half ago and plumbing isn't "exactly" my forte.