Tips For Diagnosing Your Plumbing Noises

Your floors creaking is an acceptable noise. Your pipes sounding like a hungry stomach is not. Homes settle and certain sounds aren’t even noticeable, but if you are just not starting to hear plumbing noises, it could mean you are due for a plumbing inspection. Our plumbers can help locate where and determine why your pipes are making noises. After finding the source and reason, only a quick plumbing repair will likely be needed.

Whistle While They Work

Pipes aren’t supposed to whistle, but if your pipes are sounding like they’re playing a recorder there could be a couple reasons.

The first reason is high water pressure being forced through pipes, especially if there are any loose parts. The high pressure of the water, along with vibrations will create that annoying whistling sound.

The other reason for singing pipes is mineral buildup. This buildup makes the diameter of the pipes smaller, which forces water at a faster pace, again causing whistling. While we can lower the water pressure, it is not a long-term fix. For a better fix, opt for a drain and pipe cleaning to get rid of the residue and open your pipes back up. If you have extremely hard water, you might want to install a whole house water softener to keep the minerals from building back up.

Knock, Knock--It’s Your Pipes

Banging and knocking heard from pipes is typically caused by the changes in pressure from the main line to your home. The pressurization in pipes will drop which means the water knocks around.

It could also be related to your steam heating pipe. Condensate can be trapped in the radiator valve or there could be an improper slope back to the boiler. Both of these can be remedied by a quick inspection of your plumbing

Pipes Can’t be Hungry

Your belly might gurgle when it's hungry, but your pipes can’t get hungry, therefore shouldn’t be making gurgling noises. If they are, it could be a sign of a clogged pipe or drain.

Unfortunately, the negatives far outweigh the positives when considering the use of store-bought cleaner. Store-bought cleaners are strong chemicals, typically containing Lye.

The use of these chemicals may, in fact, get rid of clogs but they will also likely disintegrate your pipes. Aside from damaging your plumbing, it can also be harmful to the environment as well as your skin.

Finally, the use of these chemicals can mix with household cleaners creating toxic fumes for anyone in the vicinity. The sound of running water is often thought of to calm anxiety and ease nerves. However, if you do not own a fountain and are not actually running any water, it can mean that you have a leak.

Having a leak in your plumbing is a bit more urgent because water that is leaked can cause damage and raise bills. A professional should always be called to inspect and repair possible leaks, clogs, or any other plumbing problems you encounter. With a plumbing inspection, you always get to the source of the problem and protect your home from any damage.