It’s a positive thing that your plumbing is dependable. When your plumbing is making sounds or is loud, you might start to worry. While some sounds are normal, others aren’t. We’ll walk you through five common sounds 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 facing several issues.
Cause: Mineral Buildup
More than 90% of U.S. homes have hard water, which means it has too much calcium and magnesium. These minerals can accumulate in your pipes and appliances, creating clogs and less efficient operation.
If you struggle with soap scum, clogged pipes or appliances deteriorating quickly, you might have hard water. Having a plumber add a water softener is the best way to solve this issue.
Cause: Old Pipes
Plumbing doesn’t last 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 life span and you’re faced with leaks, rusty water or low water pressure, it may be time to have new ones installed.
Cause: Water Pressure Is Too High
This can be caused by your utility provider or issues with your water heater. A telltale indication 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.
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 kinds.
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 goes up instead of draining, especially in multiple drains.
It can be enticing 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 best to have a plumber unclog your pipes, either via a snake or jetting.
Cause: Clogged Sewer Line
Your home has a sewer pipe that carries waste to the main 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 obstruct 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: Blocked Sewer Vent or P-Trap
The sewer vent system and P-traps on your drains keep stinky plumbing smells out of your home. If they get clogged, you’ll likely hear gurgling, encounter 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 irritating sound.
Cause: High Water Pressure
Humming means your home’s water pressure is likely too high. This can cause problems like water leaks and damage to faucets and other fixtures. A plumber can help you control water pressure, which should be around 60–70 PSI.
4. Plumbing is Vibrating
If your plumbing is vibrating, three problems could be creating this noise.
Cause: Loose Pipe Clamp
The most common trigger of vibrating plumbing is a loose pipe clamp. This hardware keeps pipes in place when water is running 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 hits a closed valve. A plumber can diagnose and fix these issues.
5. Plumbing is Bubbling
If your plumbing is bubbling, you’re likely dealing with issues associated with gurgling plumbing.
Cause: Clogged or Incorrectly Vented Drain
Whether you’re dealing with a blocked or incorrectly vented drain, a plumber can take care of it.
Central Heating & Plumbing Can Resolve Your Odd Plumbing Noises
No one wants to hear a loud or odd noise coming from their plumbing. There are lots of different noises that can be heard from your pipes and what they mean may differs. If you have any questions about the sounds you’re hearing in your home, contact at 724-401-1843 today. We’re here to help when you need a plumber in New Castle or neighboring areas.