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I hear a thumping in the wall whenever the second floor bathroom shower, toilet, or sink are used (sound is similar to if you let the bottom of your fist fall against a sheetrock wall). It is 'almost' at a regular interval. I also don't recall hearing it in the summertime, but have only been in this house for a year. It is related to the drain, because when I put my ear up to the wall where the sound is coming from, I can hear the sound water rushing down the PVC very clearly. Once the water is off, the sound stops. Does anyone know what might be the cause of the sound?

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Is it a clicking/popping sound every few seconds, and more pronounced when you use hot water? – BMitch♦ Jan 30 at 13:51
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See this answer. I should mention that it also applies to drain pipes (e.g. PVC), not just to copper pipes as my comments may imply. – BMitch♦ Jan 30 at 13:56
Hi Chris, it can probably be described as a 'pop' sound, too. It occurs with both hot and cold water—ran the shower with only cold water and it still occurred. It is fairly loud. – user11341 Jan 30 at 14:02
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Could it be a "glugging" sound? It could be that the vent is clogged (or missing) so instead, one of the other fixtures is acting as a vent. For example. Water is going down the shower drain, and using the sink drain as an air admittance device (AAV). This might explain a consistent, almost rhythmic sound. – Tester101♦ Jan 30 at 20:42
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My pipes are constantly hammering, this is when my house is consuming water (ie, dishwasher, shower, basins, etc) the water hammer occurs from the instantaneous shut off of water. at the end i needed to install water hammer arrestors. – Hightower Jan 30 at 21:37
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