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Ah, the clanging and rattling sounds of pipes in the night. Is the house haunted? Is there something in the walls? Or do you just have a problem with your plumbing? If this is a problem that you’re dealing with in your home but have no idea what’s causing it, then check out this list of possible causes and ways that you can prevent it!
- Humming noises: If your pipes are trying to handle water pressure that is too high, they can start to vibrate and hum behind the walls when the water is running. This problem can happen in pretty much any home, but it is more common in homes that use wells as their water source. If this sound is happening, check the water pressure gauge to make sure it isn’t too high. If you aren’t sure what the right level should be for your home’s water pressure or don’t have access to your water pressure gauge, call in a professional for help.
- Banging noises: Banging sounds are probably the most common negative sound that people complain about with their pipes. There are a couple of things that can cause one version of this issue, such as water flow or water pressure. In the professional plumber’s world, this is called a “water hammer” because of the hammering sound it makes. The cause of this is improper valve or faucet shutting, where it closes too fast and then all of that water that was intended to flow through ends up slamming into that valve instead, which makes a pretty loud noise. The solution for this is having a plumber install a water hammer arrestor, which acts as a shock absorber and redirects that water pressure. The other cause of banging pipes is when oxygen gets trapped in the air chamber for your pipes, which gets forced up and out when you turn the water on.
- Gurgling noises: Gurgling noises coming from your pipes usually are caused by your plumbing trying to drain out extra waste or water. Think of it like the sound that happens when you’re emptying out a bottle of liquid. The air and liquid run into each other and make that “blub blub blub” noise. It can also indicate that there’s a clog in the pipes, which you can call a plumber to come out to clear.
4. Rattling noises: Shaking and rattling pipes tend to happen with pipes that are hung with fasteners if the water starts moving through too quickly. This is especially common in copper pipes because they have a higher expansion rate when they heat up. They’ll scrape and bump against their fasteners and cause a racket. If it goes on too long, it could start to knock those fasters loose, so if you hear that rattling you can reach out to a plumber to get it all retightened and settled snugly into place.
5. Squealing/whistling noises: With your plumbing system being as complex as it is, there are a lot of connected parts involved that can wear out or loosen over time. This is especially common with the little pieces, like nuts, bolts, and washers. That squealing or whistling sound that you hear is most often the result a one of these loose parts near either your washing machine or your dishwasher, which are the appliances connected to your plumbing that cause the most movement. The fix for this is simple; call out a plumber to get those worn-down pieces of hardware replaced or tightened up.
The moral of the story for noisy pipes is this: call a plumber if you’re constantly hearing any of these sounds coming from your home’s plumbing. Letting a professional take care of your plumbing is always the smartest move to make. Yes, homes make funny noises sometimes but that is often an indicator of deeper issues, not a haunting. So, call our pros today to make sure your home is in good hands! We hope this list has been useful in understanding your home’s plumbing and its possible issues a bit better, and that you’ll be able to use it to make the right calls for your plumbing problems.