When your home's water pipes are quiet and functioning normally, you usually don't think much about them. It's fine as long as the water from the sink flows down the drain and the toilet flushes without spilling water on the floor.
Well, that's usually the case, but what if everything appears to be in order, but you begin to hear unusual noises like humming noise, whistling noise coming from your sink drain and behind the walls every time you use the water or turn off the faucets?
That banging or moaning sound could indicate the existence of a poltergeist, but it's more likely that your water pipes are malfunctioning.
We've listed a few of the most common issues of why plumbing makes noise we encounter, as well as potential solutions.
COMMON NOISES YOUR PIPES MAKE AND HOW TO FIX NOISY WATER PIPES
Banging or Hammering Pipe Noises
Water hammer may appear to be a catch-all term for any pipe noise, but it's actually a distinct sound and a specific type of plumbing issue. Water hammers are a typical form of noisy pipe problem, and while they are alarming to hear, they are also one of the easiest plumbing issues to remedy.
When the water is shut off for the first time, the enormous pressure inside the pipes causes the water to seek a new home. As it hunts for a way out, the water bangs against the pipe walls or the shut-off valve.
To resolve this issue, the air chamber in the water system must be reset. This is accomplished by shutting off the home's main water supply by turning off the shut-off valve, then opening all of the house's taps to totally empty and drain the pipes.
Remember to open the faucets in your basement, laundry room, and outside the house when doing this yourself. You can then turn the water back on, and your "poltergeist" problem should be resolved.
Vibrating Pipe Noises
A vibrating pipe noise usually indicates that the pipelines are under too much water pressure.
You'll need a threaded pressure gauge to test the water pressure in your home on your own. These can usually be found for around $10 at a home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowes.
Check that the water pressure in your home does not exceed 80 psi by screwing the water pressure gauge straight onto a sink faucet. If it's higher than that, you'll need to install a pressure regulator to help control your home's water pressure, because leaving it untreated wastes water and can lead to pipe damage and water leaks.
Whistling or Squealing Pipe Noises
There's no way to stop the sound of water moving through the pipes, but if you hear whistling or screaming, it implies the water flow has been disrupted.
If the whistling appears to emanate from only one faucet and only occurs when that faucet is turned on, it is most likely originating from inside the faucet. Most likely, it's something like a clogged aerator or a worn-out washer. Simply replace the item that is causing the problem, and the whistling should cease.
However, if you hear the whistling throughout the home, the issue is most likely with the pipes themselves. It could be a mineral buildup or a worn main water supply valve creating the noise. If this is the case, a Professional plumber can pinpoint the issue and suggest the best course of action for resolving it.
Squeaky Pipe Noises
This is one of those annoying little noises that homeowners frequently complain about because it is in the wall and they can hear it but can't see what's going on. A mild squeak is generally an indicator that the copper pipes in the wall haven't been properly insulated.
The expansion of the metal pipes is caused by hot water flowing through them. When this happens, the pipes scrape against the house's structural elements, making a squeaking or rubbing noise.
Although we can remove the drywall and properly insulate the pipes, we normally recommend first turning down your water heater to see if it solves the problem. This doesn't always work, but it is occasionally all that is required to resolve the issue.
Ticking Noises
You may think you're hearing a ticking sound, but it's actually a dripping leak. You may be able to tell whether something severe is going on or if the sounds you're hearing is just the hot water pipes expanding by conducting some troubleshooting, such as resetting the air chambers as we stated before and noting when you hear this particular noise.
If you can't figure out what's wrong or your troubleshooting fails, it's time to seek professional plumber.
HOW TO GET RID OF NOISY WATER PIPES
It's annoying to hear a water pipe noise when the water is turned off. Squeaking, gurgling, and clanging pipes can be caused by slack straps, a water hammer, or high water pressure.
Follow the instructions below to silence the noises in your pipes:
- Lower the water temperature to keep your fasteners tight.
- Turn off the main water supply (when you first start to hear hammering sounds.)
- Allow the water to drain from the plumbing system and turn the water supply on.
- Flush out the air from the pipes.
If these suggestions fail to solve your problem, you should call a professional plumber to avoid further pipe damage.