🔧 Talking to Clients: Noisy Pipes – B1/B2

English for Plumbers | Intermediate to Upper Intermediate

Vocabulary

Study these words before doing the exercises.

water hammer
a loud banging noise caused by water stopping suddenly in a pipe, creating a pressure shock
"The banging sound every time the tap is turned off is classic water hammer."
air lock
a pocket of trapped air inside a pipe that causes gurgling or prevents flow
"An air lock in the hot water circuit is causing the intermittent gurgling."
thermal expansion
the movement of pipes as they expand when heated and contract when they cool down
"The ticking sound from the floor is thermal expansion as the pipes heat up."
banging
a loud knocking sound from pipes, usually caused by water hammer or loose pipework
"The banging started after the new tap was fitted."
vibration
a rapid shaking of a pipe caused by water flowing at high speed or pressure
"High water pressure is causing the pipe to vibrate inside the wall."
loose clip
a pipe bracket or fixing that has come away from the wall, allowing the pipe to move
"A loose clip is letting the pipe bang against the joist when water flows."
bracket
a fixing used to hold a pipe firmly against a wall or floor structure
"Fit an additional bracket between the two existing ones to stop the movement."
check valve
a valve that allows water to flow in one direction only, preventing pressure waves from travelling back
"Fitting a check valve at the tap will eliminate the water hammer."
pressure shock
a sudden spike in pressure inside a pipe when flow is stopped quickly
"The pressure shock travels back through the system and causes the banging sound."
diagnose
to identify the cause of a problem through systematic investigation
"I need to diagnose the cause before I can recommend a fix."
rattling
a loose, intermittent knocking or clattering sound from a pipe or fitting
"The rattling behind the bath panel happens every time the hot water is running."
isolate
to shut off water to a section in order to test or work on it safely
"I will isolate the hot circuit and check for air locks."
intermittent
not constant — happening at irregular intervals rather than all the time
"The noise is intermittent. It only happens when the heating comes on."
secure
to fix a pipe or fitting firmly in place so it cannot move
"I will secure the pipe to the joist with an additional clip."
pressure surge
a sudden increase in water pressure that passes through a system as a wave
"A pressure surge from the mains can trigger water hammer throughout the system."

Exercise 1 – True or False?

Read each sentence. Is it true or false?

Exercise 2 – Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

Exercise 3 – Matching

Match each word (1–8) with the correct description (A–H).

Exercise 4 – Gap Fill

Type the correct word in each gap. The word is given in brackets.

Exercise 5 – Word Order

Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence.

Exercise 6 – Word Sort

Click a word to place it in the correct category.

🔊 Describing the Noise

🔧 Causes and Fixes

Exercise 7 – Complete the Conversation

Choose the correct word to complete the conversation.

Exercise 8 – Listening

Listen to the conversation, then answer the questions.

🎧 Listen to the conversation

Press Play to listen.
Client: We have a really loud banging noise every time we turn the taps off. It shakes the whole wall.

Plumber: That is a classic description of water hammer. It happens when water stops suddenly and creates a pressure shock.

Client: And there is also a rattling sound from the pipes behind the bath panel when the hot water is running.

Plumber: That sounds like a loose clip. The pipe is free to move and knocks against the structure when water flows.

Client: Can both problems be fixed?

Plumber: Yes. For the banging, I will fit a check valve at the tap. It stops the pressure shock from travelling back.

Client: And the rattling behind the bath?

Plumber: I will remove the panel, find the loose clip, and secure the pipe to the joist with an additional bracket.

Client: There is also an occasional ticking from under the floorboards when the heating comes on.

Plumber: That is almost certainly thermal expansion. The pipes grow slightly as they heat up and rub against the joists.

Client: Is that something to worry about?

Plumber: Not usually. But I can fit pipe insulation around the contact points to eliminate the noise.

Part A – Comprehension Questions

Listen and choose the correct answer.

Part B – Listen and Fill the Gap

Each sentence is from the conversation. One word is missing. Listen and type it.

🏆 Your Scores

ExerciseScoreOut of
1 – True / False–8
2 – Multiple Choice–8
3 – Matching–8
4 – Gap Fill–8
5 – Word Order–8
6 – Word Sort–8
7 – Conversation–8
8a – Listening: Comprehension–5
8b – Listening: Gap Fill–5
Total–66

Complete all exercises to see your total score.