What Do Noisy Pipes Mean for Your Plumbing?

Have you ever been sitting around, minding your own business, when your pipes start just wailing? That high pitched squeal or whistling noise can sound like a wild animal is trapped, or your pipes just found out their team lost in game 6 OT. Banging pipes can be equally disturbing. Either way, it sure doesn’t sound normal. So… what are these sounds, and what do they mean for your plumbing? 

Pipes that emit squealing or whistling sounds can be due to the water being forced to move through a pipe that is smaller than the system was designed to manage. Multiple things could cause this – it could be a build-up of minerals making the opening of the pipe smaller, trapped air, or excessive water pressure. The first step is usually to lower the water pressure or flow rate. 

A squeaking sound – especially if it only relates to the use of hot water - is often due to heat of the water causing the pipe it is traveling through to expand, which then rubs against the straps that anchor it into place. It can usually be eliminated by added cushioning foam to the side of anchors near the pipe.  

If you find that your home has a percussion section with pipes that bang, this is most likely due to an anchor (again, what holds your pipe in place) being faulty or maybe non-existent. Anchors should be present every 8-10 feet vertically, and every 6-8 feet horizontally. If they are not anchored properly or have been jiggled loose, then the pipes can start banging. If you can identify where the banging is coming from, anchors can be replaced or repaired to stop this noise.  

IIf you have noisy pipes and aren’t sure about the best course of action to eliminate the racket, it’s best to call a plumber to come investigate. 

Sometimes, what may seem like a nothing issue, such as noisy pipes, a dripping faucet or a clogged drain matters as much as a serious water leak or back-up. No matter what your plumbing needs are, Action Plumbing & Heating can help. Our goal is to help you avoid costly mistakes, whatever it is! Our team will do it right the first time, efficiently and permanently. No job is too small...or too big! 

The world is noisy enough – you don’t need your pipes to pipe in!