People get accustomed to the soundscape of their homes. An old clock ticks, and the refrigerator hums. These noises tend to fade into the background of day-to-day life.
Even odd noises from a plumbing system can become standard. You expect the pipes to buzz or hum as the laundry machine goes through its cycle. The bang when your spouse turns off the bathroom sink too quickly no longer phases you. Yet, these plumbing noises may indicate problems that require attention. By diagnosing and fixing the underlying cause of plumbing sounds in your pipes and walls, you can prevent more serious issues down the line.
Why Does My Plumbing Make Noise?
In a perfect plumbing system, you would only hear the occasional rush of water flowing smoothly through your pipes. However, imperfections in the components of your household plumbing can build up over time. Changing temperatures cause pipes to expand and contract. High-pressure water puts stress on the components. The result is a plumbing system that starts making additional noises.
Most plumbing sounds shouldn’t cause a panic. Homeowners can resolve several of these issues with some detective work and a few household tools. At the same time, if you can’t identify the source or are at all uncertain about the repair, a call to a professional plumber is a wise choice.
Rattle and Squeak: The Sound of Loose Parts
Your plumbing system is heavy, especially if you have copper pipes. During home construction, a plumber installs a series of fasteners and connectors to support the system. Initially, all these connections should be solid and tight, but the vibrations and motion of normal operation can loosen them, leading to a metal-on-metal rattle. The same issue may happen with washers and other connectors on your plumbing fixtures. While a rattle may be a minor sound, you want to fix it before a loose connection becomes a water leak.
Resolving the Rattle
The first step in resolving a rattle is finding its source. Pay attention to when you hear the sound. Does it only happen when a specific faucet runs? Is it more noticeable when you’re running hot water? These clues can help you determine where and why you hear the noise.
For fixtures, you might be able to find the offending part with a flashlight, and a few turns of a wrench or screwdriver will fix the issue. Exposed connectors and pipe supports may also respond to the same treatment.
If you can’t see the source of the rattle, a call to a licensed plumber is often the best next step. With their experience, they can quickly determine the cause of rattling plumbing and offer a lasting solution.
Hum: Vibrations in Your Plumbing System
Pipes coming into contact can cause sounds like rattling, squeaking, and humming. In a complicated system, plumbing designers may need to place pipes close together to save space. They take pipe expansion into account during this work, but small physical shifts in your house or high water temperatures can bring the pipes into contact, causing them to squeak or hum as they vibrate.
Water pressure is another issue that can cause pipe vibrations. In this case, the internal pressure of the water may cause the whole system to vibrate. Typically, the cold-water pressure in your home should be around 50 PSI. If the system is constantly dealing with water at a higher pressure, it can strain the components and lead to additional problems.
Addressing a Vibrating Pipe
Again, the key to fixing pipe vibrations is finding the source. Is the vibration constant, or does it only happen under specific conditions? Is it in one spot, or is it something you hear throughout the house? This information will help you or your plumber develop a strategy to fix the issue.
One possible remedy for humming or squeaking pipes is lowering your hot water temperature by a degree or two. This simple fix may be enough to reduce the expansion causing the contact. Resolving the issue with a temperature change is especially helpful if the sound comes from within your walls. You’ll avoid the need and expense of opening and repairing the drywall.
In some cases, a plumber can add insulation to a problem area. A small length of tubular foam will prevent direct contact between the pipes.
Resolving high water pressure issues requires more effort. Most houses have a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) in place near the main water intake. This device takes high-pressure water from your water source and allows it to enter at a safer level. Consistently high water pressure in your system may mean the PRV needs repair or replacement.
Gurgle: Signs of a Partial Blockage
A gurgling sound is most often a sign of blockage in your drainage pipes. The interaction of draining water with a partial obstruction creates air bubbles in the line. The gurgle is the sound of an air bubble forced through the draining water.
Fortunately, gurgling means that water is still flowing through the system, but it is a symptom you shouldn’t ignore. Clogs come in many shapes and sizes. They may start as mineral deposits on the pipe interior and then grow as other substances become attached. To avoid clogs, there are some substances you want to keep out of your drains.
Grease
Food waste
Flushable wipes
Feminine hygiene products
Paper towels
Hair
Plumbing Blockage Solutions
If your sink is gurgling or draining slowly, you might try a few home remedies. Pouring boiling water down the sink may liquify fats to remove some of the blockage. Other homeowners swear by a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
Chemical drain cleaners may help temporarily, but these harsh substances can damage your plumbing with continued use. Remembering the potential environmental effects of sending strong chemicals into your septic system’s drainage field is also important.
It often takes a professional to clear a drain or sewer line completely. Licensed plumbers may scope the pipe with a camera to identify the source of the blockage and determine the best solution. They also use rooting tools and high-pressure water to break up clogs completely and send them down the sewer line.
Bang: Air Bubbles and Water Hammers
More percussive plumbing noises come from two separate issues. Bubbles in your pipes can cause knocking and tapping as the water forces its way through the trapped air. A more dramatic bang comes from a water hammer, a loud noise that occurs when running water collides with a suddenly closed tap.
Removing Trapped Air from Your System
If you suspect you have air bubbles in your system, the solution is simple. Open up all the taps in your home and let them run for about ten minutes. This should be enough time for any trapped air to make its way out of the pipes. Then, starting with the tap furthest from your water supply, close the valves one by one. If you still notice popping sounds after this action, you may want to call a plumber for an expert diagnosis.
Fixing a Water Hammer
It takes force to push water through your system, especially if it must travel against gravity to a second-floor bathroom. If a family member closes the sink tap quickly, the water hits the closed valve with a resounding bang. Training your family members to close valves slowly is one step to prevent water hammers.
While it’s possible to correct human behavior, your toilets, washing machine, and dishwasher open and close their valves automatically. If you experience water hammer sounds every time you do laundry, there are a few options to fix the problem.
The pipes near your fixtures and appliances have built-in air chambers designed to prevent this issue by providing extra overflow space. However, these chambers can fill with water over time. To reset your system, turn off the water at the main water supply. Then, open all the taps in your home until no more water runs from them. Once you turn on the water supply back on, the air chambers will be empty and ready to do their job.
If you have chronic water hammer issues, a plumber can install a water hammer arrester. This device absorbs the force of rushing water at a specific fixture and prevents the bangs and clangs.
When Should I Call a Professional About Plumbing Noises?
When you know the cause and location of an unusual sound in your plumbing, you might attempt to resolve it yourself. Calling an expert is always wise if you’re uncertain about the cause of the noise or don’t feel qualified to take on the repair. Someone with more experience can identify and address the problem safely.
Schedule an Appointment with Oklahoma City's Most Trusted Plumbing Company
You don’t want to guess when dealing with your home plumbing system. If you’re concerned about strange noises in your pipes, the team at BL3 Plumbing would be happy to assist you. We help homeowners throughout the greater Oklahoma City area keep their water flowing and their pipes clean. Call us today to schedule a service appointment and get your plumbing sounds under control.
