It is scary to hear a strange noise coming from under the shower basin or from inside the bathroom walls. Strange noises originating in pipes are a real reason for concern for every conscientious homeowner. Once you detect the problem area, you need to specify what is causing the funny noise. Only then can you call the plumber or try to resolve the issue on your own if it’s not overcomplicated. Anyhow, it is good to know the most common sources of funny noises that are coming from your plumbing pipes.
Knock, knock
One of the worst plumbing noises that you never want to hear is a knocking sound. Not only is it scary as hell but it can indicate a major plumbing problem. This sound can be heard when the water is running but it is more frequent when the water supply is turned off. Common scenarios when you can hear a knocking sound are when you turn your tap off when you flush your toilet, and when the washing machine finishes filling.
The effect you hear is actually called a water hammer and it’s the result of water smashing against a valve that was suddenly shut. The design of the valve should prevent such a scenario from occurring so that’s why you have valves that need to be turned several times before they are completely closed. However, the water hammer arrestor wears out over time so you might experience the knocking sound described above.
A faucet hissing at you
Although a water hammer can easily be resolved if you replace the inexpensive arrestor, this next problem will require professional assistance. We know from nature shows that a hissing sound can never be good and it is so with faucets as well. If a faucet hisses at you when you open it, that’s a clear indication that you have a water pressure problem on your hands.
Abnormally high water pressure can cause your plumbing to have a “stroke,” much like high blood pressure can contribute to a coronary. Stopping the hissing sound will also mean saving your pipes who certain bursting. In order to prevent this watery ticking time bomb to explode, your local plumber will probably install a pressure reducing valve and advise you on how to deal with high pressure in the entire piping network.
A squealing or a screeching sound
Perhaps the most common issue that nearly of us have experienced is a short squeaking or even a screeching sound right after we turn the faucet on. This sound may have startled you before but have you ever wondered about its origin? Don’t worry, the cause is quite benign. The screeching you hear is mostly due to loose or defective parts inside the pipes themselves, such as valves and washers. Just like the knocking sound, a handy plumber can fix the issue in a matter of tens of minutes once he located the problematic section of piping.
Strange vibrations
A knocking sound inside the pipes might cause the hair on your head to go up but when the pipes start to vibrate that’s when you really start to panic. Pipes that vibrate or give out a rattling noise (another reference to snakes) aren’t a local problem and can be heard and sensed throughout the house. The piping network is quite large and there is hardly a room that it circumnavigates so you should look for an urgent solution to vibrating pipes. Before more reasons to repair the bathroom come up.
As you might have already though, pipes start to vibrate because one or several of them have become detached. A wall mounter might have failed leaves the pipe to go in all directions every time water runs through it. High water pressure that we spoke earlier about can only aggravate the problem and extend the area of damage. You see, a home piping network is as strong as its weakest link, so the smallest section of piping can often cause the biggest problems.
The irritating sound of dripping
How many sleepless nights have been caused by a drip from a faucet in the kitchen or the bathroom? This is one sound that you can instantly pinpoint but that won’t make it disappear. Apart from getting on your nerves, a dripping faucet can result in liters of water waster: water you pay for at the end of the month.
The common reason why water is bypassing the shutoff valve is the fact that a part like the rubber seal, had given way. Enormous water pressure finds the smallest of holes and voila; you have a dripping faucet on your hands. Sometimes a simple tightening using a wrench and solve the problem. In other instances, you may have to call the local plumber because he/she had better tools and can detect the problem.
A gurgling toilet trying to say something
When we were children we joked how a toilet is trying to say something while gurgling. As a grownup, you understand that this sound is an indicator that something wrong with the plumbing. A running toilet that produces a gurgling sound probably has a worn-out valve or a faulty ballcock. On the other side, if the toilet is not running but you can still hear a gurgling sound, then the sewage underneath is the problem. In this case, you will not only hear but smell the problem too.
Now that you know what the 6 most common sounds coming from your plumbing pipes are, you are ready to handle them. In some instances, you’ll be able to sort out the matters on your own but in other cases, a call to a trusted local plumber is required.
