5 Common Plumbing Noises Solved: What They Mean And How To Repair Them
It’s a good thing that your plumbing is dependable. When your plumbing is making noises or is loud, you might begin 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 involve:
- Plumbing is whistling
- Plumbing is gurgling
- Plumbing is humming
- Plumbing is vibrating
- Plumbing is bubbling
Plumbing is Whistling
If your plumbing is whistling, you could be facing a couple of issues.
Cause: Hard Water
More than 90% of U.S. homes have hard water, which means it has excessive calcium and magnesium. These minerals can accumulate in your pipes and appliances, causing clogs and less efficient operation.
If you struggle with soap scum, clogged pipes or appliances wearing out quickly, you might have hard water. Having a plumber install a water softener is the best way to fix this issue.
Cause: Aging Pipes
Plumbing doesn’t last forever. If you have an older home, it’s important to 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: High Water Pressure
This can be caused by your water supplier or issues with your water heater. A telltale sign of high water pressure is hearing knocking in your pipes, particularly after shutting off a faucet.
If this is what’s creating the issue, a plumber can check and replace your home’s pressure-reducing valve as necessary.
Plumbing is Gurgling
Gurgling isn’t a good noise. It’s usually a symptom that you’re experiencing some sort of blockage or clog. Here are three of the most common types.
Cause: Clogged 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 rises instead of draining, particularly in multiple drains.
It can be tempting to use a liquid drain opener to correct the issue, but this can cause more problems. These products are corrosive and can erode your pipes. It’s always recommended to have a plumber unblock your pipes, either via a snake or jetting.
Cause: Blocked 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 plug this pipe includes tree roots seeking water or by flushing bathroom products besides toilet paper. Whether you’re coping with tree roots or a plugged toilet, you’re going to need assistance 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 clogged, you’ll likely notice gurgling, experience slow draining or smell sewage. A plumber can help you get to the root of and solve this smelly problem.
Plumbing is Humming
If your plumbing is humming, you’re not just dealing with an irritating noise.
Cause: High Water Pressure
Humming means your home’s water pressure is probably too high. This can cause 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.
Plumbing is Vibrating
If your plumbing is vibrating, three problems could be creating this sound:
- Cause: Unsecured Pipe Clamp
The most common trigger of vibrating plumbing is an unsecured pipe clamp. This hardware keeps pipes in place when water is running through them. If the loose pipe is below a sink, you might be able to correct this issue yourself. If it’s behind a wall, it’s recommended to call a plumber. - Cause: High Water Pressure or Water Hammer
Less commonly, pipes can vibrate because of high water pressure or a water hammer, which happens when water that’s flowing fast hits a closed valve. A plumber can diagnose and correct these problems.
Plumbing Is Bubbling
If your plumbing is bubbling, you’re probably dealing with issues related to gurgling plumbing.
- Cause: Blocked or Incorrectly Vented Drain
Whether you’re dealing with a clogged or incorrectly vented drain, a plumber can take care of it.
Tokay Can Resolve Your Odd Plumbing Noises
Nobody wants to hear a loud or odd noise coming from their plumbing. There are many different noises that can be heard from your pipes and what they mean may differs. If you have any questions about the noises you’re hearing in your home, contact at (209) 257-3156 today. We’re here to help when you need a plumber in Lodi or surrounding areas.
