If you’re lying in bed in what should be complete silence and you suddenly hear unusual plumbing noises, you’re likely to toss and turn and fear the worst. Fortunately, there are logical explanations in most cases and many of the unwelcoming sounds are an easy fix.
Some of the most common culprits include:
- Rattling pipes. This is more common in older homes. If you shut off your faucet and you hear a jarring, shaking sound, it’s possibly just a backup of water pressure. The irritating sound can also be produced when water is traveling quickly in a pipe and it’s not moving freely. This can happen when a valve is suddenly closed. Pressure stacks up because the water has no place to go except backwards, creating a vibration or rattling sound. These types of issues can be resolved with air chamber or shock absorption fittings.
- Plumbing leaks. Sometimes you don’t hear the soft drip-drip sounds until the house is quiet. But if you’re lying awake and you hear that ominous drip, it’s worth it to investigate. Leaks add up to 10,000 gallons of water a year for the average family, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. You should check your faucets, toilets, and irrigation for signs of plumbing leaks.
- Whistling. If you periodically hear a mysterious whistling coming from the toilet, it could be a slow leak in the toilet fill valve. Another sign of the fill valve not doing its job is if the wall tends to vibrate when you flush the toilet. This could mean it has dried out and not able to seal properly. Instead, it might bounce around and send vibrations in the pipeline.
- Bang, bang. If you hear an abrupt thwacking sound, it could be that the plumbing pipes are shaking a bit and hitting something as the water runs through. By covering them with insulating material, you should be able to easily prevent the unpleasant noises.
- Rumbling coming from your water heater. As sediment builds up, it heats up along with the water and releases moisture, causing the odd popping or rumbling noises you’re hearing. The best way to fix this is to stay on top of hot water heater maintenance so you don’t get any corrosion, which will reduce the life of your water heater.
- Rushing water. If you suddenly notice the sound of flowing water in the drainline, don’t be alarmed. This is a normal noise for your dishwasher and washing machine (unless you have a burst pipe or flooding issue) as water is being released. Sometimes you’ll only notice it when the house is quiet.
For answers to your questions about plumbing noises you’re experiencing, or any other plumbing issue, contact the Pink Plumber today.
Image Source: Free Images
