Strange Plumbing Sounds Can Tell a Frightening Tale

Every home comes with its share of strange noises - a creaky stair, a hissing furnace, a faint thud as a support beam contracts - and they usually seem to make themselves known in the middle of the night when one’s imagination can run wild. Instead of ghosts and goblins, though, these noises simply represent a lived-in house’s natural soundtrack and are usually nothing to worry about. 

However, a few sounds don’t fit into either category, but they can be just as scary and can still cause plenty of sleepless nights. They can come from the bathroom, the kitchen, and even from inside the walls. Every homeowner should watch out (or listen up) for these telltale sounds, as anyone of them can mean big trouble for a home’s plumbing system.

Dripping or Trickling Noises

A steady, persistent dripping sound can drive anyone crazy. Fortunately, if it’s coming from a leaky faucet or showerhead, it’s very easy to identify visually, as the escaping water drops are right out in the open. In the case of a faucet leak, the other good news is that the problem is usually relatively easy and inexpensive to fix - often simply a worn gasket or valve.

On the other hand, if the dripping sound seems to be coming from inside a wall, the problem is almost certainly a leak somewhere along a supply or drain pipe. If the sound only occurs when water is in use or has just been used - such as when someone is in the shower or right after a toilet has been flushed - the leak is in the drainage pipe system. If the dripping sound can be heard constantly, whether water is running or not, the leak is in the supply pipe system.

Mold growth and water stains can eventually develop under or near the spot of the leak. While this is a good indicator of the leak’s location, the damage to a home can already be extensive by the time these signs manifest. 

Knocking or Banging Noises

Loud, sudden knocking or banging sounds can be startling and unnerving and can be caused by a few different plumbing issues. The most common cause of knocking is what’s known as ‘water hammer.’ This occurs when high-velocity water in a supply pipe slams into a valve which has been suddenly closed, creating a loud knock or bang, and rattling the pipe. While typically heard just as a faucet is shut off, it can also be caused by other fixtures with fast-closing valves, such as washing machines. 

If knocking occurs as water is turned on, or while running, it could mean excess air is trapped in the supply pipes or that an air vent in the drainage system is not functioning properly. As water flows, the trapped air causes the plumbing system to become overpressurized, resulting in a bang or knock when the air too-rapidly escapes through an open valve or air vent. 

If random knocking or banging occurs when no water seems to be running, the sound could be traveling through the plumbing system from the home’s hot water heater. Though normal thermal expansion can produce sounds of this nature from a water heater, it may indicate a more serious issue like scale buildup or a malfunctioning heating element.

Gurgling Noises From a Drain or Flushed Toilet 

When a sink, tub, or toilet issues a gurgling or blubbering sound as (or just after) water flows down the drain, it typically means one of two things. One, there is a blockage in the drainpipe; that awful sound is just air bubbles forcing their way up through the backed-up water. Or two, the drainage system’s air vent pipe is not working properly due to an obstruction or other impediment to airflow. 

The former may be an easy fix, but the latter may be a symptom of a larger problem and one which shouldn’t be ignored. Leaks and pressure problems in a home’s plumbing system don’t just produce spine-tingling noises in the night - they can also be dangerous and costly (especially high-pressure surges, as in the case of water hammer). A diagnostic inspection from a professional plumber can save loads of money - and peace of mind.

About Oliver’s Plumbing

Oliver’s Plumbing is a family-owned company that has provided Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, with outstanding service since 2004. They are dedicated to cleanliness, punctuality, professionalism, and giving back to their community as much as possible. Their experts also offer a 2-year parts & labor warranty, competitive pricing, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all their work. Call Oliver's Plumbing for the best plumbing repair services in Sun Prairie.

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