It’s a positive thing that your plumbing is dependable. When your plumbing is making noises or is loud, you might start to worry. While some sounds are normal, others aren’t. We’ll walk you through five common noises 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: Hard Water
More than 90% of U.S. homes have hard water, which means it contains excessive calcium and magnesium. These minerals can accumulate in your pipes and appliances, causing clogs and less efficient operation.
If you have issues 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 problem.
Cause: Old 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, rusty water or low water pressure, it may be time to have new ones installed.
Cause: High Water Pressure
This can be caused by your utility provider or issues with your water heater. A telltale indication of high water pressure is hearing slamming in your pipes, especially after shutting off a faucet.
If this is what’s causing 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 experiencing 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 blocked. Here’s the difference:
- Partial clog—water drains more slowly than normal.
- Full clog—water rises instead of draining, particularly in multiple drains.
It can be enticing to use a liquid drain opener to fix the issue, but this can create more problems. These products are harsh and can eat away at your pipes. It’s always recommended to have a plumber unclog your pipes, either through 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 plugged, you will likely be dealing with backup in your basement.
Things that can obstruct or plug this pipe includes tree roots searching for 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 help from a professional plumber.
Cause: Blocked 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 blocked, you’ll likely notice gurgling, encounter slow draining or smell sewage. A plumber can help you get to the bottom 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 create problems such as 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 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 best to work with a plumber.
Cause: High Water Pressure or Water Hammer
Less frequently, pipes can vibrate because of high water pressure or a water hammer, which occurs when water that’s flowing fast runs into a closed valve. A plumber can identify and correct these problems.
5. Plumbing is Bubbling
If your plumbing is bubbling, you’re likely dealing with issues related to gurgling plumbing.
Cause: Blocked or Improperly Vented Drain
Whether you’re dealing with a blocked or incorrectly vented drain, a plumber can take care of it.
Everest Heating & Cooling 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 varies. If you have any questions about the noises you’re hearing in your home, contact at 913-845-9463 today. We’re here to assist you when you need a plumber in Kansas City, MO and Lansing, KS or surrounding areas.