Alexei Volkov
Plastic pipes are more prone to expansion and contraction with temperature changes than metal pipes. This is a common application problem when designing piping systems. The expansion of plastic pipes can cause them to rub against supports, joists, or other surfaces, creating unwanted noise. To quiet plastic pipe expansion, you can wrap the pipes with soundproofing or insulating material to block the noise and dampen the vibrations. Another method is to use expansion joints or loops, which allow for the expansion and contraction of the pipes while constraining pipe movement. Flexible connectors can also be used in areas prone to movement.
Characteristics and Values for Quieting Plastic Pipe Expansion
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic pipe expansion | A common application problem when designing piping systems |
| Linear expansion | An object's increase in length due to its rise in temperature |
| Linear Co-efficient of Expansion (LCoE) | The rate of change in one unit of length per unit of change in temperature |
| Plastic pipes | More prone to expansion and contraction with temperature changes than metal pipes |
| Mitigating expansion | Use expansion loops, offsets, and changes in direction |
| Expansion joints | Rubber, hose and braid, stainless steel, long stroke telescoping, and short stroke telescoping |
| Expansion mitigation | Expansion joints, loops, and anchoring |
| Expansion joint operability | Maximum lateral expansion and contraction is often less than 2" |
| Plastic pipe movement | Allow free linear movement of the pipe through pipe clips |
| Pipe clips | Rigid plastic clips and rubber-lined clips |
| Flexible sections | Most common method to deal with linear expansion |
| Soundproofing | Wrap pipes with dense vinyl material or use sound absorption products |
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What You'll Learn
Use flexible connectors in areas prone to movement
Plastic pipes are prone to expansion and contraction with changes in temperature. This can cause pipes to rub against supports, joists, or other surfaces, creating various sounds. To prevent these noises, it is important to use flexible connectors in areas prone to movement.
Flexible connectors are an effective way to mitigate the effects of thermal expansion and contraction in plastic pipes. They provide a flexible section within the piping system, allowing the pipes to expand and contract without restriction. This helps to prevent stress fractures, leaking joints, and system weakening caused by tightly clamped pipes.
When selecting flexible connectors, it is important to consider the type of expansion joint that best suits your piping system. Expansion joints come in various types, including rubber, hose and braid, and stainless steel, each with its own unique characteristics and range of operability. For example, rubber expansion joints are typically used for smaller amounts of contraction or expansion and can be easily affixed to plastic pipes.
In addition to using flexible connectors, there are other measures that can be taken to reduce pipe noise. These include ensuring sufficient expansion space around pipes, using pipe clips specifically designed for plastic pipes, and wrapping pipes with insulating or soundproofing materials.
By implementing these measures, you can effectively reduce noise caused by plastic pipe expansion and create a quieter and more efficient plumbing system.
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Install water hammer arrestors
Water hammer arrestors are a great way to fix water hammer, which is a pressure wave that carries the energy from a sudden change in momentum. This can result in a loud banging or hammering noise. Water hammer arrestors absorb the shock wave, preventing the loud banging noise. They can be installed in a few simple steps and don't always require cutting into drywall.
Firstly, shut off the main water supply and relieve the pressure by draining the supply lines. You can do this by opening a nearby faucet. If you are connecting the water hammer arrestor directly to a fixture, disconnect the supply line from the stop valve.
Next, thread one end of the hammer arrestor onto the valve and reconnect the supply line to the other end. Hand-tighten the connection and then use a wrench for a quarter turn, being careful not to over-tighten.
Now, turn the stop valve and the water supply back on. Check for any leaks or loose connections. The water arrestor should be properly secured to the water stop valve, and you can use a tee fitting to aid the connection if necessary.
Finally, hand-screw the water supply line to the hammer arrestor and the appliance. Tighten these connections with a small wrench. Turn the water supply on again and check for leaks.
Water hammer arrestors can be installed vertically or horizontally and should be placed within 6 feet of the fixture or valve causing the noise. They are a quick and easy solution to water hammer issues and can preserve the integrity of your water pipes.
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Use pipe clips designed for plastic pipes
Plastic pipes expand and contract much more than metal pipes in response to temperature changes. This can cause issues if the pipes are fixed rigidly at both ends, as the extra length created by the expansion will cause the pipe to curve and put constant pressure on the fixings, potentially causing damage. Therefore, it is important to use pipe clips designed specifically for plastic pipes that allow for free linear movement.
Pipe clips are not a complete solution to the problem of thermal expansion, but they are an important part of the overall success of any method used to address it. The primary purpose of a pipe clip is to support the pipe and prevent it from bowing under its own weight and the weight of the material being transported inside. The secondary purpose is to support heavier pipe fittings such as valves and filters, which put more strain on the pipe.
If plastic pipes are tightly gripped and fixed in place, they cannot expand or contract, which can lead to stress fractures, leaking joints, and system weakening. Therefore, it is important to use pipe clips that are designed to allow for this movement. There are several options for pipe clips for plastic pipes, including rigid plastic clips and rubber-lined clips. Rubber-lined clips are more flexible in terms of the distance they can be placed from a surface, but they should only be fitted loosely to allow the pipe to move between them.
When choosing and installing pipe clips, it is important to consider the positioning of clamping and fixing points to take advantage of the natural flexibility of plastic pipe materials and to avoid inhibiting movement at changes in direction of the line. It is also crucial to gently support pipes if there is a risk of water hammer from the sudden start-up of a pump or the opening or closing of a valve.
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Soundproof with insulating or soundproofing material
Plastic pipes are prone to expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, which can result in unwanted noise. To soundproof plastic pipes with insulating or soundproofing material, you can follow these steps:
Identify the Cause of the Noise
Before attempting to soundproof, it is important to identify the cause of the noise. Pipes can make various sounds due to expansion, such as squeaking, ticking, or thunking. Squeaking or moaning sounds occur when expanding pipes rub against surrounding wood. Ticking or clicking sounds are often caused by pipes sliding against metal hangers or shifting fins in baseboard convectors. Thunking or banging sounds happen when a hot pipe has no room to expand and bows into a wall or cover.
Choose the Right Soundproofing Material
To block noise and dampen vibrations, you can use soundproofing materials such as pipe lagging or pipe wrap. Pipe lagging creates a heavy, airtight, sound-isolating wall around the pipe. Look for materials with density and weight, as these are more effective at blocking noise. For example, Luxury Liner Pro™ combines MLV and closed-cell foam to create a "double wall" effect.
Alternatively, pipe wraps like Quiet Wrap™ Pipe Soundproofing Wrap are easy to install and can significantly reduce pipe noise. Acoustic pipe wraps with foam backing, such as "noise barrier with decoupler," are also effective in reducing noise transmission.
Prepare the Pipes
Before applying the soundproofing material, ensure the pipes are clean and free of dirt, dust, or grease. This step is crucial as it ensures the soundproofing material adheres properly and does not reduce its effectiveness.
Apply the Soundproofing Material
Measure the length of the pipe and cut the soundproofing material accordingly. If using pipe wrap with an adhesive backing, peel off the protective layer and apply the adhesive side directly onto the pipe, pressing firmly to ensure good adhesion. Start at one end of the pipe and work your way down, overlapping the edges of each layer if necessary.
Inspect and Adjust
Once the soundproofing material has been applied, inspect the wrapped pipe for any gaps or loose areas. Make any necessary adjustments and reapply adhesive to secure the wrap properly.
By following these steps and choosing the appropriate soundproofing material, you can effectively soundproof plastic pipes and reduce unwanted noise caused by expansion and contraction.
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Use expansion loops or expansion joints
Expansion loops and expansion joints are two common methods of mitigating thermal expansion in plastic pipes. They are particularly useful when there is a considerable change in the length of the pipe, which can occur due to temperature changes. A general rule of thumb is that if a piping system changes in length by more than 1/4", it will need some form of expansion mitigation.
Expansion loops require careful calculation to determine the required length. This calculation takes into account the modulus of elasticity, outside diameter, working stress, and change in length of the piping system, all at maximum temperature for the pipe material. There are two main types of expansion loops: loop type and offset type. Loop type expansion loops allow for axial expansion while remaining coaxial to the pipe but require additional space adjacent to the pipe. Offset type loops can be placed more easily within a piping system, especially in areas where the pipe needs to change direction twice, but they also require more clearance space. Both types of loops may experience issues with fluids pooling when there is no active flow. Prefabricated expansion loops may be a more space-efficient option, but they may require special anchoring techniques and have a limited range of motion.
Expansion joints, on the other hand, are suitable for systems with small amounts of contraction or expansion. They are versatile and easy to install, especially during piping system retrofits, as they are prefabricated and come in various materials and end connections. Common types of expansion joints include rubber, hose and braid, and stainless steel, while less common types include long and short stroke telescoping joints. Expansion joints may have limited movement, particularly in larger systems or outdoor environments, and careful consideration must be given to the joint material to ensure compatibility with the pipe medium and environment.
Both expansion loops and expansion joints require a combination of lateral anchors, axial anchors, and pipe guides to control the direction of expansion and prevent issues such as out-of-plane movement. Pipe anchors should be strategically placed to guide the pipe towards the mitigation solution and restrict unwanted movement.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pipes expand and contract more than metal pipes in response to temperature changes. To quieten plastic pipe expansion, you can use flexible connectors, expansion loops, expansion joints, or pipe clips designed for plastic pipes.
Expansion loops are installed at the midpoint between anchors, with no rigid or restraining supports within the leg lengths of the loop. Expansion joints, which come in rubber, hose and braid, and stainless steel, are a good solution for systems with a small amount of contraction or expansion.
You can wrap pipes with insulating or soundproofing material, or fill the cavities around the pipes with sound absorption products. You can also use acoustic isolation pipe supports, pipe clamps and inserts, isolation liners, riser pads, pipe hangers, or sealant.
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