Should an apartment block water pump be running constantly?

26-12-2021 9:07am #1

Do they ever let up or simply run constantly?

Apartment I moved into is located directly above the pump for the facility and I kid you not it runs 24/7.

Is it possible there's some kind of fault that causes it to run over time?

Anyone have the names/details of the primary water pump installers in Ireland so I can inquire directly?

L1011 · 26-12-2021 11:37am

Generally yes, there will be draw on the tanks constantly and the pump will have to run. Most people will find a stop/start pump overnight vastly more irritating anyway.

"main water pump installers" are not going to talk to you.

dazed+confused · 26-12-2021 11:47am

There are many different types of pumps and pressure systems.

Impossible to diagnose anything over the phone when talking to a supplier or manufacturer.

As already said a stop/start pump will generally be much louder.

delboythedub · 26-12-2021 12:14pm

You live in an apartment and like myself you possibly have a water pump in your own apartment which is feed from the rising mains into tank. If a tap is left running the pump will run all the time or kick in every few minutes same if the toilet cistern not filling properly and in this case the pump will not last to long. Are you in a ground floor apartment and can this pump be heard running from the outside of the building

26-12-2021 8:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118374138#Comment_118374138

Yes I am ground floor.

But it's can't be heard outside the building at all.

It's just DIRECTLY beneath my place, so I catch the resonance more so, which seems to transfer to sound again when it his the walls of my bedroom, living room etc.

delboythedub · 29-12-2021 12:16pm

maybe contact the management company regarding this pump as i dont think that it should be running 24/7. It also could be one of your neighbours pumps running all the time

31-12-2021 9:31am

If there are no leaks or dripping taps/cisterns it could be that the reverse flow valve is worn, and it lets water trickle back into the pump, tricking the pump into activating.

31-12-2021 9:48am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118394844#Comment_118394844

There was an issue where cisterns in apartments in my block were being investigated for "overflow" or running constantly.

Around the pump itself in the parking garage, there has accumulated large pools of water also, I don't know if that's normal for a water pump.

Also, there is this insane high pitch coming from I presume the pump, but associated with water flow (very audible from an adjacent manhole where high flow water runs), perhaps indicating the pump is running in "overdrive"?

My issue is I've consulted building management and they've failed to really investigate it, brushing it off almost.

They're off until Tuesday so I'm staying a friends place until then.

JimmyVik · 31-12-2021 10:16am

If I were you I would just move. Clearly the place is doing your head in.

31-12-2021 10:38am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118394984#Comment_118394984

Well if this got fixed it wouldn't be a problem.

If building management would just get it done (but they're NA until the 4th).

And move to where?

I can't even find a room share at the moment.

Caranica · 31-12-2021 10:40am

Forget contacting building management, contact your landlord. He's the one with the relationship with management.

TaurenDruid · 31-12-2021 10:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118375791#Comment_118375791

If it's vibration transferring to noise, it may be possible to install some kind of dampers that'd absorb/prevent a lot of the vibration.

In my experience, a pump shouldn't be running 24/7; it should only kick in when the main water tank falls below a certain level, and an apartment block's tank should be large enough to cater for some 'standard' use before it reaches that threshold and the pump kicks in. That's obviously going to be dependent on the size of the apartment block (and resultant amount of use) and the water tanks. The other possibility is a leak somewhere means the tank is never reaching the 'sufficient supply' mark and so the pump is constantly going.

JimmyVik · 31-12-2021 10:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118395063#Comment_118395063

You need to start looking.

Or you can just go mad where you are.

There is always the possibility that this noise is permanent and cant be mitigated.

I lived in an apartment where the shutter for the parking garage was underneath it. It would go up and down at random times day and night. I just moved. It was never going to get better and me complaining about it wasnt going to help.

munsterfan2 · 31-12-2021 11:01am

Definitely push to get that looked at. The first few weeks we were in our new house the pump at the bottom of the well was running 24x7 due to a "Sticky" pressure valve. We were lucky as I was monitoring the power usage and base-load went from 300w to 1kw. Added a few hundred euro to our esb bill before we isolated the cause.

31-12-2021 11:19am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118395073#Comment_118395073

Good suggestion.

It's actually being managed through a broker but I'll take it up with them on Monday/Tuesday as they're out of office until then.

Thankfully I've found a couch to crash out on until then.

Tinnitus still persists despite not being in the residence for several days.

It is HORRIBLE.

31-12-2021 11:23am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118395181#Comment_118395181

Cheers, I'm submitting the complaints initially in writing so I'll have that to fall back on.

If they drag their heels on it or try to brush off the issue (as management already has), just curious if there's stiffer measures I could take to ensure they address it? (thus ensure everything goes in writing initially to confirm I'd raised it adequately with them yet it remained neglected).

31-12-2021 11:35am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118395100#Comment_118395100

Cheers, great info.

I'll be sure to mention that cause knowing this management company, they treat every complaint as an imposition and try to find excuses for why it's not their fault.

There are large pools of water gathered around it also, I don't know if that's normal for a water pump, but could be relative to that last possibility?

TaurenDruid · 31-12-2021 1:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118395338#Comment_118395338

There are large pools of water gathered around it also, I don't know if that's normal for a water pump, but could be relative to that last possibility?

There shouldn't be large, or any, pools of water. That definitely points to the pump needing maintenance at the very least (assuming it's not just rainwater coming into the basement - it's been a fairly wet few days!)

31-12-2021 7:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118395848#Comment_118395848

Well the basement/parking-garage is bone dry everywhere apart from around the pump?

It'd be one hell of a coincidence if a leak occurred directly above said pump.

Though, we were also contacted last week, several apartments in the building, informing us of an inspection as apparently water is leaking from some apartments down into the parking garage.

Maybe they're confusing leaks from apartments with leakage from the pump itself in terms of explaining why water is pooled on the ground around the pump?

That's pretty much complete speculation on my behalf though.

Again the water is pooled exclusively around the pumping unit/tank, is deepest around the unit itself, and shallows as you move away from the unit.

TaurenDruid · 31-12-2021 9:04pm

99% chance it's coming from the pump, so! Yep, definitely get on to your landlord. Maybe check in with your neighbours, see if they can hear it too and if it's annoying them get them to get on to their landlords/the management company, too.

The_Conductor · 01-01-2022 7:18pm

Those pumps have a finite lifespan- typically 8-10 years.

Its 100% not unusual for them to be running fulltime- if its the unit for the whole block- even a localised pump for 2 units will run for an improbable amount of time (despite being inspected and found to be functioning fully as normal).

If it is audible throughout your home- bring it to the attention of the Management Company in the first instance (if your the owner) or your landlord if you're renting- and ask them to investigate.

01-01-2022 8:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118402423#Comment_118402423

This pump is brand new.

It was installed last year and is state of the art.

But yeah they should explain to me why it's running 24/7 before I commit to moving out.

01-01-2022 8:11pm

A lot of conflicting reports as to whether it should or should not be running/pumping 24/7.

Over in the plumbing forum a dude claiming under no circumstances should it be pumping constantly.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118393112/#Comment_118393112

sheepondrugs · 02-01-2022 3:41pm

Happened in my apartment block. The ball valve for the main tank (located beside the pump) for the block was goosed causing the pump to remain on continuously . It caused a large water leak also as the tank overflowed. Might be worth checking out. 100% management company responsibility.

03-01-2022 9:34am

I mentioned the high pitch is more audible from a manhole and the 2nd story basement of the car park, where the facility pump is located on the 1st level.

Is it possible there's like a mains water booster pump skid that's generating the sound, and I'm mistaking it coming from the facility water pump?

Would mains supplies often use water boosters?

mickdw · 03-01-2022 9:51am

It sounds as though there is a double basement from what you say.

Is it possible that this is not a water supply pump at all but a sump pump evacuating water from the basement structure?

03-01-2022 9:55am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118409424#Comment_118409424

Yes there's a double basement.

The only visible water is around the facility water pump on the first floor.

The 2nd level is bone dry but like I said has 2 manholes through which rushing water can be heard, and the exact pitch audible in my apartment is coming from them manholes.

That wouldn't be a mains booster pump?

A sump pump?

It's evacuating a hell of a lot of water if so?

Do you mean water run off for the entire facility?

mickdw · 03-01-2022 1:50pm

It could be anything. It could be that there are open sections where weather can get into basement so could collecting that.

Could be collecting runoff from the structure.

Could even be a structure where an amount of ground water is allowed enter the structure and then pumped out. I was involved with one such build previously.

If you can hear water in a manhole, its not water supply, it drainage of some shape or form imo.

03-01-2022 3:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118410455#Comment_118410455

Okay, drainage - I'm assuming drains use pumps? (no former plumbing experience).

So I can hear openly running water, it's unlikely that openly running water is going into apartments as drinking water, shower water etc.

That manhole is the most evident source of the interfering pitch.

Yeah obviously I need to get onto management but I need to present something valid.

It's unlikely that even if it were a run off pump it would also run 24 hours a day 7 days a week?

Would that be a fault potentially?

Related to the letter we got last week that some apartments cistern valves are apparently dysfunctional as they're leaking into the parking garage?

Sierra Oscar · 03-01-2022 9:20pm

How many apartments is it servicing?

I'm in a development with 160 + apartments. The pump is essentially running 24/7, water is always being used by someone somewhere in the development throughout the day and night. It's fairly rare that there isn't a draw on the main supply, which is pumped to each individual apartment.

I wouldn't have thought a sump pump would run continously, unless there is a serious leak somewhere and that is unlikely to have been identified by the management company. Sump pumps tend to drain the sump completely, switch off, let the sump fill above a certain point and then activate again.

Caranica · 03-01-2022 9:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118411053#Comment_118411053

As has already been pointed out you do not need to get on to management. You need to get on to your landlord. And you do not need the detail, requesting that the leak and constant running be investigated is sufficient.

02-02-2022 12:41pm

Okay so not making another thread here but, on general principle I simply can't help but be emotionally compelled to target this matter further.

Some great insightful advice based out of experience (I'm assuming) in one sense, some frustration from others;

But confined to this thread and kept strictly on topic - I'd like to seek further insight.

......

So basically update is that I bought an air purifier and put it on my night stand. At the lowest setting it acts as perhaps a 50% noise canceler.

Additionally I have a decent sized bluetooth speaker, and when I play white noise through it on low volume, it drowns out the other frequencies quite well.

Also installed acoustic foam around my headboard, when I'm lying down for sleep between those three things it has drowned out the high-pitch constant up-and-down whir of the centrifuge water pump (that runs 24/7) enough so I can sleep through it.

......

02-02-2022 12:42pm

It's like a plateau, cause I don't expect this to get resolved any time soon (if ever).

The parking garage underneath my apartment where the water pump is, it's huge. The floor area is massive. Not only huge but it also has a second level.

So from all that space, they could have located the pump ANYWHERE. There's only a few select areas where it could be positioned such to be underneath a residence.

The rest is all courtyard or commercial property.

But they put it DIRECTLY under someones bedroom.

..........

Is it possible I could appeal on this grounds alone? Petition to have it moved or something?

02-02-2022 12:50pm

In relation to raising a cordial appeal to management or my rental agent, those options are null and void.

Management already told me to kick rocks and my agent is already half way to the laughing academy.

Real estate management must attract the volatile types; point being any further move would not be a "please Ms, could you be so kind as to.....".

It would be more along the lines of, "out of 100's of open plan square feet where there would have been no sound disturbance, you positioned the facility water pump directly under a residents bedroom. Did someone drop you on your head?"

Caranica · 02-02-2022 2:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118570182#Comment_118570182

Appeal? You are a tenant. You have absolutely no right to request anything about the building be changed. None whatsoever. Nor do you have a right to interact with the management agent.

If you don't like it, move.

Sierra Oscar · 02-02-2022 2:29pm

It's not exactly straight forward to move a large water pump for an entire block. The plumbing changes alone would be enormous and that's before you take into account that it is located as per the planning permission, subject to the engineer designs and everything else.

They are not going to move it, so you are probably better off finding somewhere else to live if its causing you significant hardship.

Ray Palmer · 02-02-2022 4:27pm

MOVE. It is your only solution and if you are so emotional about this move quicker.

02-02-2022 4:49pm

Cool.

Again the forum has delivered to bring me up to speed on the do's and don'ts.

I assumed plumbing would be a slight re-route of some piping, but was unaware that positioning was engineer certified (even if it were a faux pas of engineering).

02-02-2022 4:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118570922#Comment_118570922

Well I don't personally, but maybe the council do.

Although according to the more informed its unlikely they will.

Still though out of three former tenants in this property (whom I have since been in contact with) two of them complained about said noise disturbance, unfortunately they just never raised it formally as I have thus no action was taken.

They probably didn't want to rouse these loco managers and agents.

They loco fo' real.

C3PO · 02-02-2022 6:21pm

They’re not the only ones!

daheff · 02-02-2022 6:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118402638#Comment_118402638

100% should not be running all the time.

Think of it. What's the purpose of the pump? To get water from A to B as there is not enough water at B. Once enough water is at B the pump should go off.

Many reasons why there's not enough water where is going to. If the pump isn't faulty then it's not fit for purpose OR there is another issue using up more water than expected (eg a leaky toilet/ burst pipe etc... somebody using way more water than they should).

So all that needs investigated also if you are told there's no issue with the pump.

o1s1n · 03-02-2022 12:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118570182#Comment_118570182

You have to remember that unfortunately, what you want/need is very low on the ladder when it comes to this overall complex. There are probably lots of things that need to be worked on and upgraded, lots of niggles tenants are complaining to landlords about and then landlords bringing up to the OMC.

The OMC will have a certain amount of money in their coffers from everyone paying their management fee and some of that will be used for improvements, the rest will pay insurance, waste etc and go into a sinking fund.

Moving the water pump system for an entire apartment complex is a huge job, you'd be laughed at if you brought this to anyone as a legitimate solution to a sound problem that is only impacting one person.

Your only options really are:

Move
Live with the problem and come up with a solution that wont cost thousands and thousands of euro (IE noise cancelling headphones/white noise machine)

Should an apartment block water pump be running constantly?

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