Forum Topic

Under ground vibration - low frequency noise

myself & 4 of my neighbours are all being woken up by an underground vibration which has been happening almost every night for the past 7 months.  It can also go during the day - possibly goes every day but with external noise it is not that obvious.  This sounds like some type of generator or something.  We are in Bassein Park Road & the 4 neighbours are all on the same side of the street. I have asked around but other side of the street do not appear to suffer & it's only people who sleep basement or raised ground level who are impacted. I am wondering if anyone has the same issue & can shed light on what it can be.  I have asked people in Gayford who also suffer & have heard of a woman near The Vale who also has this noise.

kaye just ● 3368d18 Comments

A similar resonance which is generating complaints comes from the use of accurately manufactured railway lines, with long lengths of continuously welded track with identical spacing between identical sleepers. In this case the tracks could be partially mis-tuned by attaching random weights along the track.

Christopher Bell ● 2676d

Any pipe will have a resonant frequency, just like an organ pipe, which will appear to amplify sound, and it will be a low frequency for a large long pipe. Anything moving in the pipe can cause resonance vibration, especially if there is a partial obstruction or mixing of flows from different directions. The only way to stop it would be to block the pipe, but that could cause other problems. A generally quiet area will not generate enough other noise to drown it.

Christopher Bell ● 2676d

Hi Ive got the same issue and im in Ealing ! ive had 2 plumbers over thinking it could be a plumbing issue, sadly not! Its been a nightmare. Can we please liaise privately to see if we can take this to the council ? cjansz@virginmedia.com

Carmen Jansz ● 2677d

Thanks so much for the replies...With regard to the water suggestion - it's constant...sounds like a fan is on in the next room/ sort of vibration? ie no gaps? Could be the Hum but started at a particular point, around 11.30pm in the evening about a month/5 weeks ago, which makes me think that it's likely a piece of machinery somewhere near by. Trying to get my head around how sound travels (apparently machinery miles away can sometimes impact).Had a look at Crossrail website and it has a whole section on vibrations... If anyone else hears/ has thoughts would be great! We have looked at the usual (ie electrics etc) but it doesn't seem to be anything obvious. If anyone else has any thoughts/ experiences of the same would be great to hear. Thanks again.

Cai Janie Rees ● 2681d

Could be The Hum? https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/have-you-heard-the-hum-mystery-of-earths-low-droning-noise-could-now-be-solved-10182111.html

Chris Hurley ● 2683d

Does it depend on the weather? It could be water running over a partial obstruction in a sewer, with the sound resonating in the pipe.

Christopher Bell ● 2683d

Hi Kaye, Did you ever find the cause of this? I think we have the same thing (on East Churchfield Road).... Would be brilliant to get some insight on this. Thanks so much in advance - it's really bothering!! x

Cai Janie Rees ● 2687d

and from their recently published plan for communicating with the public it says:The works are currently expected to commence in May 2018 and be completed by September 2021

Paul Webster ● 3336d

Has someone asked the Council's Environmental Health dept to come along and measure the sound to see if it is a heath risk?

Dee Cook ● 3357d

Lot of work on Mail Rail going on as will be Re open next year, don't know which areas the noise would affect.

Janice Evans ● 3360d

You may be too far away from the milk distribution company near the Vale / Uxbridge Road to hear their cooling equipment

Christopher Bell ● 3360d

Cannabis farm?  I was reading recently that heating and ventilation equipment can cause a hum...

Philippa Bond ● 3360d

thanks for the input.  It has only been happening for 7 months so not likely to be The Hum from what I read, it is more likely some works that are happening.  It is not Tideway (the sewer) as they haven't started work.  Low frequency noise does travel for miles so I guess it could be Crossrail or I believe that somewhere near Valletta Road there is a large TFL site so I need to investigate that.  There are not a huge amount of basement flats in my area which is probably why more complaints have not been seen.

kaye just ● 3365d

Ah so it must be The Hum! I hear it myself sometimes (I'm on The Vale).

Chris Hurley ● 3367d

and it appears to be 3 streets away to the west.

Paul Webster ● 3367d

According to their site, construction does not start until next year.https://www.tideway.london/the-tunnel/construction-sites/acton-storm-tanks-ealing/

Paul Webster ● 3367d

Or it could be The Hum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hum

Chris Hurley ● 3367d

I would guess it's the London Super Sewer going in from Acton storm tanks onwards acoss London. Or works relating to it.I'm sure if you dig about you could find some details of planned works.I think it's really called the Thames Tideway or something.

Elly Belpassi ● 3367d