On Fri, 9 Apr 2021 15:52:07 +0100, SH wrote:

On 09/04/2021 15:38, Scott wrote:
We are having a problem with some sort of airlock - a buzzing noise. I
live in a block of flats. I believe the problem lies with the rising
main, though neighbours disagree.

The rising main terminates at a storage tank in the loft. I believe
think various neighbours have taken feeds from it over the years. At
the entry to the storage tank there is an vertical extension to the
pipe, about 12 inches long. I *think* that was put there as a
silencer previously. Should this extension contain water or air? Is
there any action to take, such as bleeding it, if we are now getting
water hammer?

I have tried pushing down the ball cock in the hope of releasing air.
This seems to have helped but not fully resolved the issue. Any
advice welcome.

Its a worn out ball cock valve.

The valve is not shutting off cleanly when the tank reaches its final
water level.

the buzzing sounds is caused by the ball bobbing up and down in the
water which is causing a pressure ripple through the rising main and
hence the sound you hear.

although you could replace the washer, its better to replace the whole
thing.

This is interesting. The 'argument' I alluded to is that two of my
neighbours think the problem is with the toilet in the first floor
flat. I think the noise is permeating the whole pipe and thought we
should start at the top (where I assumed the air would be). Of course
both these installations include a ballcock valve. Is there any way
of knowing which of the two valves needs to be replaced.

From my point of view, if it's in the downstairs flat, it's an
enforcement problem and if it's in the loft it's a funding problem
(though I would be inclined to go ahead with repairs in the loft if I
could confirm the fault).