A Guide to Plumbing Noises

Most of the time when a house creaks and groans, it is natural and part of being a house, however, there are some noises that should be paid more attention as they could be a result of a problem with your home’s plumbing. It is important for a homeowner to have a basic knowledge of plumbing sounds, so that they know what they are and what to do about them.

4 Plumbing Noises You Should Know About

Banging

Loud banging sounds coming from your pipes when you switch the water on is called a water hammer. It occurs when a closed valve abruptly stops the rush of water through a pipe. Besides the sound, a water hammer can damage pipes and loosen their joints. Water hammer issues are caused when the air chambers in your pipe valves clog with water. To fix this issue, ask a plumber to clear your pipe’s air chambers and replace any damaged parts.

Shaking

Pipes shake when water runs through them, but they should not shake enough for you to hear them. If you can hear your pipes shake, then they are not secure, and their mounting straps have most likely loosened. This issue can be fixed by tightening their mounting straps or completely replacing parts that have pulled from the wall or worn away. If the pipe is inside a wall, it is best to call a professional.

Gurgling

Blocked drains will make a gurgling sound as the draining water is struggling to makes its way down the drain. If you hear gurgling noises in more than one drain in the house, it is possible that the issue is with your drain vents. Drains need to be properly vented to prevent air bubbles from forming in the pipes, which also causes gurgling sounds. A professional can easily replace your drain vents.

Screeching

If you turn on a faucet and hear a high-pitched whine before the water comes out, the faucet may have a loose or defective part. The easiest way to fix a screeching faucet is to replace it.

There are a lot of potentially problematic plumbing sounds, which can be an identifying factor of various plumbing issues. When in doubt, call a professional like Inspector Jet to perform a drain inspection. These inspections aid in identifying plumbing issues, especially in underground pipes.