If you’re like most homeowners, the plumbing running through your walls doesn’t get a second thought until it doesn’t work properly. As long as the shower pumps hot water, the toilet flushes on command, and the dishwasher handles the dishes so you don’t have to, the intricate details of how the pipes and drainage work together aren’t a great concern. Then, you wake up one morning and there’s a gurgling sound coming from the sink or the commode starts to run water on its own. Those strange plumbing noises could be an easy fix, but just in case the rattling pipes are a sign of a bigger issue, it’s best to check them out.
- Drip…drip…drip: Ignoring a leaking faucet can do more that create a spike in your water bill. A slow drip from just one faucet can waste 3,000 gallons of water in a single year. To stop the annoying drip, tighten the fixture and connecting pipes. If that doesn’t do the trick, you may need to put a new washer inside the faucet or replace the fixture.
- Gurgling from the drain: Gurgling from your drain paired with a foul odor is a sign your vent pipe is blocked. Water will have a difficult time draining if this is the case, and your vent opening (usually located on the roof) should be checked. It’s also possible you just have a clogged drain. Snake out any blockages to see if that relieves the plumbing noise.
- The sink hisses: The hissing noise coming from your bathroom or kitchen sink is likely an indicator that your water pressure is too high. A pressure regulator can help eliminate this plumbing noise and get your water bill in check. Left unattended, the high water pressure could overwork your pipes.
- Thud when the water is turned off: If you’re startled by a loud “bang” when you turn the shower off each morning, you’ve got another indicator your water pressure is too high. Air chambers or shock absorbers can help, and a pressure regulator will keep the water flow manageable and reduce the noise.
- Pipes are whistling: Water pressure in your home may be too low if you hear whistling while the water is running. If you have a pressure regulator installed, turn it down slightly. If that doesn’t fix the plumbing noise, you may have air or debris caught in the pipes. Turn the main water valve off and run the remaining water out of the pipes. Reopen the valve to thrust out any air.
- Pipes are rattling: If you hear rattling pipes after a commode is flushed or water is drained from the shower, the pipes may be too loose. A relatively easy fix for rattling pipes is to tighten them just a bit. If it’s just a loose pipe, the rattling should stop.
- Water whooshing from shower: A telltale sign of hard water is a whooshing sound in the shower. Other signs include a crusty shower head or spotted shower doors that seem to never come clean. Hard water is caused by a mineral buildup in your pipes or hot water heater and can be eliminated with a water softener.
Our solutions to these common plumbing noises are a great starting point, but if the noises persist or worsen, it’s time to call in the professionals. If you need a licensed plumber in Yonkers, NY or the surrounding areas, Flotechs Plumbing & Heating handles residential and business plumbing problems.
