What’s That Noise Coming from My Pipes?
Uh oh — a series of banging sounds echoes through your plumbing, and your heart sinks just thinking about the imminent repair bill. While loud pipes can sometimes have benign causes, noisy plumbing is often a clear indication that something has gone awry in your system. When left unchecked, these sounds can quickly escalate into complex repair or replacement requests. It’s important for homeowners to understand not only the underlying cause for their noisy pipes, but also when it’s time to call in a professional team for assistance.
Common Causes for Loud Pipes in Wasatch Front Homes
There are many things that could be causing your pipes to bang, clang, and shudder each time you use a plumbing fixture in your home. Whether you hear banging, clanging, whistling, humming, or any other unusual sound, chances are it’s due to one of these common causes:
- Age: If you live in an older home, chances are your plumbing system doubles as a percussive instrument. When you turn off a plumbing fixture, the act of closing the valve will cause the water hammering in your pipes. Homes predating the 1960s attempted to combat this issue using T-shaped pipes with an air chamber inside. However, these air chambers are prone to flooding and can cause even more noise to emanate from your home’s pipes.
- Pressure: Especially if your pipes make a humming sound, the culprit could lie in your water pressure. Adjusting your intake valve to ensure less water flows into your home can solve this problem; however, persistent humming should be addressed by an experienced plumber.
- Security: We rely on our plumbing fixtures each day to transport waste and water from our homes. As such, our pipes experience a great deal of wear and tear, causing some components to come loose and cause a commotion. Loose screws can cause your pipes to rattle when in use, increasing your risk of a leak.
Even more modern homes can experience noisy plumbing: After the 1990s, plumbers began implementing a mechanism called an arrestor to prevent water hammering. When this mechanism malfunctions, water can pound against your walls once more and cause excess noise. While not uncommon, noisy pipes should never be left untreated, as doing so can increase your risk for experiencing more severe plumbing issues, such as flooding, burst pipes, and sewage backup.
When to Call a Plumber about Your Loud Pipes
Loud pipes are cause for concern, no matter what underlying reason. Any time your plumbing system makes unusual sounds, it’s time to contact a professional for service. Doing so can help you prevent a number of serious plumbing issues, including:
- Burst pipes
- Sewage backup
- Leakage and flooding
- Water damage
- Broken fixtures
- And more!
There may even be a foreign object trapped inside your plumbing fixtures that’s contributing to the noise. Leaving the entity inside your pipes can lead to rot or mold development — especially if the object is organic in nature — which can have serious consequences for your household’s health. When your home experiences loud pipes, contact your trusted plumbing contractors at SameDay Heating & Air, Plumbing, and Electrical for the expert service you need!
SameDay Plumbing Services for Wasatch Front Families
No matter what the root cause of your noisy pipes may be, SameDay is prepared to help you quickly and efficiently resolve the problem. Using the industry’s finest tools and techniques, our team will help you regain peace and quiet in your home’s plumbing system.
Don’t let loud noises go unnoticed: Get the expert plumbing service you need the same day you need it by calling SameDay at (801) 726-3329.
