Have you ever heard weird and unexplainable noises or vibrations coming from your plumbing system? Plumbing noises are annoying and difficult to ignore. Even more annoying is the fact that you may not be able to place the source of the sound. The most common plumbing sounds are a whistling shower, banging or squealing water pipes, rumbling or popping sounds from the water heater, and vibrations when flushing a toilet.
Plumbing noises are an indication of a problem with your plumbing system. Luckily, they can be easily fixed. Read on for tips and solutions to these common problems.
A whistling shower
The leading cause of whistling showers is high water pressure in the pipe that delivers water to the shower. You can fix this by buying and installing a pressure reducing valve near the water meter.
A clogged shower head can also cause whistling noises when the water is turned on. You should remove the head and clean it to remove all the buildup and dirt. Doing so should quieten the shower.
Banging or squealing pipes
Banging and squealing in pipes can be as a result of loose components such as the straps or clamps. Also, a big hole in the stud through which the pipes pass can cause bumping noise. You can then use a pipe insulation fitting or a small piece or rubber to fill the gap that's causing the parts to loosen up.
If you use bore water or hard water that's not softened or filtered, mineral deposits could partially clog your pipes and cause banging sounds. If you have fixed loose fittings and suspect your pipes are blocked, you should call in a plumber to unclog your pipes as it may be difficult to clean them.
Rumbling water heater
Rumbling sounds from a water heater indicate a buildup of mineral deposits at the bottom. They cause energy inefficiency as the heater is usually unable to heat water fast. Try draining the water at the bottom of the water heater by fitting a drain hose to the valve at the bottom of the tank. You can carefully drain the hot water to a bathtub or a floor drain.
Vibrations when flushing the toilet
A faulty fill valve is usually the cause of the vibrations that occur after flushing a toilet. To test this, lift the tank lid and flush the toilet. When the vibrations start, push down on the float. If that stops them, you have a fill valve problem. You can buy a new fill valve and replace it yourself.
Plumbing noises are frustrating and often a sign of plumbing systems that are operating inefficiently. With these tips, you can be able to combat plumbing noises in your home. You can also call a plumber if you are unable to fix the problem.
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