You can buy xxxx on hammer arrestors to help with this problem once you figure out which supply line is the culprit. The other big problem is loose pipes. As the water flows through them the temperature change causes them to expand and contract. The force of the water is sometimes enough to make them vibrate as well. To fix this you'll have to open the wall where the rattle is and secure the pipes. You don't want them rattling around, possibly weakening the joints over time. I hope between my thoughts and those on the other answer you can narrow it down. If you still have trouble call a plumber out.
http://answers.angieslist.com/Pipes-make-noise-humming-sound-vibrate-What-problem-q43437.aspx
Turn off the main water valve, and open all the faucets in the house. This drains the water out, and allows air in to the pipes, thus replenishing the air in the air chambers. Now turn off all the faucets, and turn the main water back on. This should alleviate the problem.
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070410213928AAL2Xtc
Visibly inspect your pipes in open areas to see if there is a lot of movement when someone in the home turns faucets on and off or flushes a toilet. Another issue could be that your water pressure is too high, which can cause pipes to vibrate and also lead to long-term damage to your pipes and appliances.
http://articles.courant.com/2013-03-23/business/hc-ls-water-pipes-rattling-20130323_1_water-hammer-air-chambers-pipes
A water hammer is caused by fast-closing valves, like toilet fill valves and faucets. As the water flows through the pipes and the valve shuts off quickly, it causes the water to stop suddenly in the pipes, causing the hammer effect.
http://articles.courant.com/2013-03-23/business/hc-ls-water-pipes-rattling-20130323_1_water-hammer-air-chambers-pipes
If so, noise will be loudest at water heater. If it is a continuous hum without real thumps or rattles, then could be motor noise from furnace, if you have a hot water baseboard heating system. If it can be heard in all the baseboard pipes, this is a likely cause.
http://answers.angieslist.com/Pipes-make-noise-humming-sound-vibrate-What-problem-q43437.aspx
Ask any toilet, sink, faucet, pump, water quality, and plumbing related questions. Please refrain from asking where to purchase a product, business, pricing, or legal questions, for contractor referrals, or any questions not related to plumbing. Keep all positive and no advertising.
http://www.plbg.com/forum/read.php?1,250776
I have a very loud vibrating in the pipes of my house. Whenever a toilet is flushed, or water is run upstairs, shortly afterward it is as if a tug boat is coming through the downstairs. It appears to be behind the washer and the sound somewhat dissapates if you hold the cold water faucet behind the washer.
http://www.plbg.com/forum/read.php?1,250776
We just replaced a vanity and 2 toilets with-in 2 day period. Started getting vibrating noise in wall behind 1 toilet only. Talked to 3 plumbing department personal at 3 different home supply stores they all said air in the line. Told me to turn off valve under toilet then turn back on and keep trying to purge air out. Nothing worked.
http://www.plbg.com/forum/read.php?1,250776
show more I have on and off vibrating and humming sound coming from the water pipes in my bathroom. The noise stops whenever we turn on the faucet in the bathroom sink. We can also hear the sound coming from behind the refridgerator in the kitchen. My refridgerator is the kind that dispenses water. How can...
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070410213928AAL2Xtc
Q: Our two-story home has f4.5 bathrooms, which all seem to have a common cold water pipe that runs through a particular wall and ceiling. In four of the baths, when the toilet is flushed the water cutoff causes the pipes to vibrate very loudly somewhere in the wall or ceiling. Turning off the cold water faucet at the sink also causes a vibration. We've had three different plumbers out. They have cut through walls in two different rooms and failed to locate the section of pipe that is causing the problem.
http://articles.courant.com/2013-03-23/business/hc-ls-water-pipes-rattling-20130323_1_water-hammer-air-chambers-pipes
what makes the water pipes in my wall vibrate?
Turning off cold water faucet at the sink causes water pipes on the wall vibrate. Turning off the cold water faucet at the sink also causes a vibration.