It’s a good thing that your plumbing is reliable. When your plumbing is making noises or is loud, you might start to worry. While some sounds are typical, others aren’t. We’ll walk you through five common noises and how to solve them.
These noises include:
- Plumbing is whistling
- Plumbing is gurgling
- Plumbing is humming
- Plumbing is vibrating
- Plumbing is bubbling
1. Plumbing is Whistling
If your plumbing is whistling, you could be dealing with a couple of issues.
Cause: Hard Water
More than 90% of U.S. homes have hard water, which means it contains excessive calcium and magnesium. These minerals can accumulate in your pipes and appliances, creating clogs and less efficient operation.
If you have issues with soap scum, clogged pipes or appliances wearing out quickly, you might be dealing with hard water. Having a plumber install a water softener is the best way to fix this issue.
Cause: Aging Pipes
Plumbing doesn’t work forever. If you have an older home, you should know what pipe material you have and how long it lasts.
- Brass: up to 100 years
- Copper: up to 80 years
- PVC: up to 45 years
If your pipes are close to the end of their lifetime and you’re faced with leaks, discolored water or low water pressure, it may be time to have them replaced.
Cause: Water Pressure Is Too High
This can be caused by your water supplier or problems with your water heater. A telltale sign of high water pressure is hearing knocking in your pipes, particularly after turning off a faucet.
If this is what’s causing the issue, a plumber can inspect and replace your home’s pressure-reducing valve as needed.
2. Plumbing is Gurgling
Gurgling isn’t a good noise. It’s usually a symptom that you’re dealing with some sort of blockage or clog. Here are three of the most common types.
Cause: Plugged Drain
Your drain can either be partially or fully clogged. Here’s the difference:
- Partial clog—water drains more slowly than usual.
- Full clog—water goes up instead of draining, especially in multiple drains.
It can be enticing to use a liquid drain opener to fix the issue, but this can cause more problems. These products are harsh and can eat away at your pipes. It’s always recommended to have a plumber unblock your pipes, either through a snake or jetting.
Cause: Clogged Sewer Line
Your home has a sewer pipe that transports waste to the primary sewer line, usually situated in your yard or in the street. If this pipe gets clogged, you will likely be dealing with backup in your basement.
Things that can block or clog this pipe includes tree roots searching for water or by flushing bathroom products besides toilet paper. Whether you’re dealing with tree roots or a clogged toilet, you’re going to need help from a professional plumber.
Cause: Plugged Sewer Vent or P-Trap
The sewer vent system and P-traps on your drains keep icky plumbing smells out of your home. If they get blocked, you’ll likely hear gurgling, experience slow draining or smell sewage. A plumber can help you get to the root of and resolve this smelly problem.
3. Plumbing is Humming
If your plumbing is humming, you’re not just dealing with an annoying noise.
Cause: High Water Pressure
Humming means your home’s water pressure is probably too high. This can create problems such as water leaks and damage to faucets and other fixtures. A plumber can help you control water pressure, which should be about 60–70 PSI.
4. Plumbing is Vibrating
If your plumbing is vibrating, three problems could be causing this noise.
Cause: Loose Pipe Clamp
The most common cause of vibrating plumbing is an unsecured pipe clamp. This hardware keeps pipes secure when water is flowing through them. If the loose pipe is under a sink, you might be able to correct this issue yourself. If it’s behind a wall, it’s recommended to work with a plumber.
Cause: High Water Pressure or Water Hammer
Less commonly, pipes can vibrate due to high water pressure or a water hammer, which occurs when water that’s moving fast runs into a closed valve. A plumber can identify and correct these issues.
5. Plumbing is Bubbling
If your plumbing is bubbling, you’re likely dealing with issues related to gurgling plumbing.
Cause: Clogged or Incorrectly Vented Drain
Whether you’re dealing with a clogged or incorrectly vented drain, a plumber can fix it.
Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning Can Resolve Your Strange Plumbing Noises
No one wants to hear a loud or strange noise coming from their plumbing. There are lots of different noises that can be heard from your pipes and what they mean may varies. If you have any questions about the noises you’re hearing in your home, give us a call at 203-772-8319 today. We’re here to help when you need a plumber in Derby or neighboring areas.