What could be causing this problem with my phones?

[montanafan]

I've had a problem with a loud humming noise on my phones ever since moving into this apartment two years ago. I've tried unplugging the phones for a while and plugging them back in one at a time and in different jacks, changing the battery in the portable phone, , had Verizon do one of those over the open line tests, etc. People have said it must be the wiring in the building, but it's a fairly new building and none of the other tenants have this problem. I could have the phone company come out and test, but that'll cost almost $100 if the problem is not their fault.

I have a portable phone and a standard phone and I use a cheap 25 ft. cord on the standard phone that I got from a dollar store, but like I said, I've tried unplugging them and trying them one at time so I don't think it could be the cord.

Anyone know anything else that could be causing this problem that I could check for and correct?

 

[Squisher]

If it's doing on a standard phone then it has to be the wiring or some very powerful interference. Maybe, a florescent light ballast.

I was going to say look at dimmer switches until you said it did it on a standard phone.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

water in the phone lines but for tht long of a period, it might be an electrical wire draped across it causing interference

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

oh...could also be an open line somewhere. Our house had an old wall jack that had been cut off and the wires left exposed.....it was causing problems on ours

 

[montanafan]

Squisher, I do have fluorescent lighting in the kitchen, but that light usually is not on when I'm on the phone. Would that make a difference? Thanks.

MikeyIs4Dcats, I do have a phone jack in the bathroom that doesn't work. The wires are not exposed or anything like that, it just doesn't work when you plug the phone in. Could having one jack not functioning cause problems with the others? Thanks.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: montanafan
Squisher, I do have fluorescent lighting in the kitchen, but that light usually is not on when I'm on the phone. Would that make a difference? Thanks.

MikeyIs4Dcats, I do have a phone jack in the bathroom that doesn't work. The wires are not exposed or anything like that, it just doesn't work when you plug the phone in. Could having one jack not functioning cause problems with the others? Thanks.

might be, especially if a mouse or something ate through the wires in the wall

 

[dug777]

my router messes with my cordless phone if the phone base station is too close to the router...

 

[Muadib]

You need to make sure it's not your phones. Take your standard phone over to a friends house, and make sure it's working without having issues. If it works at a friends, bring it back home and try it. Totally unplug the cordless phone first though, from both the phone and electrical jacks. If the standard phone has the hum, then it's definitely a wiring problem, and Verizon will fix it for free as long as you have a wiring maintenance plan.

 

[Argo]

Sounds like you have DSL.

 

[montanafan]

Sorry it took me a while to get back here.

Argo and dug777, I do have DSL and a router, but I was having the problem with the phones before that.

Muadib, I tried what you said and it looks like the problem must be in the wiring.

MikeyIs4Dcats, I'm going to take the cover off of that jack and check it out just as soon as I get a chance.

Thanks to everyone for the help! :thumbsup:

 

[Muadib]

Do you have filters on each jack that you used? If you have DSL, you need them.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Do you have filters on each jack that you used? If you have DSL, you need them.

 

[montanafan]

Yes, I have the filters on the two phones, but I was having the noise problem before I got DSL.

 

[shimsham]

wiretap

 

[zoiks]

What kind of service are you using. Is it VoIP?

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: montanafan
Yes, I have the filters on the two phones, but I was having the noise problem before I got DSL.

So when is the phone guy comming?

 

[montanafan]

shimsham, you could be right. I've been griping about the new school schedule lately. Maybe the Feds think I'm going to overthrow the Board of Education.

zoiks, I'm using Verizon.

Muadib, I don't guess he'll be coming anytime soon. I don't have the guardian plan for my wiring. I thought I had ordered it when I got my phone service, but apparently I didn't. I guess I'm just stuck with the problem unless I can find something wrong in one of the jacks and then maybe my brother can fix it for me.

 

[KLin]

You need to find the NID)Network interface device, usually a gray box) for your apartment and hook your phone directly to the telco's wiring (usually a phone jack is in there). If you still have the hum then you know it's the phone company's problem. IF you don't, then it's your wiring.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: montanafan
shimsham, you could be right. I've been griping about the new school schedule lately. Maybe the Feds think I'm going to overthrow the Board of Education.

zoiks, I'm using Verizon.

Muadib, I don't guess he'll be coming anytime soon. I don't have the guardian plan for my wiring. I thought I had ordered it when I got my phone service, but apparently I didn't. I guess I'm just stuck with the problem unless I can find something wrong in one of the jacks and then maybe my brother can fix it for me.

So add the guardian plan today, be sure to ask the girl when it takes effect, and report your problem the day after that.

 

[sixone]

OP - if you live in an apartment, get their maintenance to fix it. You have to have a phone for emergencies, so it's their responsibility.

EDIT: and this guardian plan may not cover your wiring, since you don't own it.

 

[Amused]

Try humming along and see if you can catch the tune.