It’s a good thing that your plumbing is reliable. When your plumbing is making noises or is loud, you might start to worry. While some sounds are normal, others aren’t. We’ll walk you through five common noises and how to resolve them.

These noises involve:

  • Plumbing is whistling
  • Plumbing is gurgling
  • Plumbing is humming
  • Plumbing is vibrating
  • Plumbing is bubbling

1. Plumbing is Whistling

If your plumbing is whistling, you could be facing a couple of issues.

Cause: Mineral Buildup

More than 90% of U.S. homes have hard water, which means it has excessive calcium and magnesium. These minerals can build up in your pipes and appliances, causing clogs and less efficient operation.

If you struggle with soap scum, clogged pipes or appliances deteriorating quickly, you might have hard water. Having a plumber add a water softener is the best way to solve this issue.

Cause: Old Pipes

Plumbing doesn’t work forever. If you have an older home, it’s important to know what pipe material you have and how long it lasts.

  • Brass: up to 100 years
  • Copper: up to 80 years
  • PVC: up to 45 years

If your pipes are near the end of their lifetime and you’re dealing with leaks, rusty water or insufficient water pressure, it may be time to have new ones installed.

Cause: Water Pressure Is Too High

This can be caused by your water supplier or problems with your water heater. A telltale sign of high water pressure is hearing banging in your pipes, particularly after turning off a faucet.

If this is what’s causing the issue, a plumber can check and replace your home’s pressure-reducing valve as needed.

2. Plumbing is Gurgling

Gurgling isn’t a good sound. It’s usually a symptom that you’re experiencing some sort of blockage or clog. Here are three of the most common types.

Cause: Plugged Drain

Your drain can either be partially or fully clogged. Here’s the difference:

  • Partial clog—water drains more slowly than normal.
  • Full clog—water goes up instead of draining, especially in multiple drains.

It can be enticing to use a liquid drain opener to correct the issue, but this can create more problems. These products are harsh and can erode your pipes. It’s always recommended to have a plumber unclog your pipes, either via a snake or jetting.

Cause: Clogged Sewer Line

Your home has a sewer pipe that transports waste to the primary sewer line, usually situated in your yard or in the street. If this pipe gets plugged, you will likely be dealing with backup in your basement.

Things that can block or plug this pipe includes tree roots searching for water or by flushing bathroom products besides toilet paper. Whether you’re dealing with tree roots or a clogged toilet, you’re going to need assistance from a professional plumber.

Cause: Plugged Sewer Vent or P-Trap

The sewer vent system and P-traps on your drains keep stinky plumbing smells out of your home. If they get blocked, you’ll likely notice gurgling, encounter slow draining or smell sewage. A plumber can help you get to the bottom of and resolve this smelly problem.

3. Plumbing is Humming

If your plumbing is humming, you’re not just dealing with an irritating sound.

Cause: High Water Pressure

Humming means your home’s water pressure is likely too high. This can cause problems like water leaks and damage to faucets and other fixtures. A plumber can help you regulate water pressure, which should be about 60–70 PSI.

4. Plumbing is Vibrating

If your plumbing is vibrating, three problems could be causing this noise.

Cause: Loose Pipe Clamp

The most common trigger of vibrating plumbing is an unsecured pipe clamp. This hardware keeps pipes in place when water is flowing through them. If the loose pipe is below a sink, you might be able to correct this issue yourself. If it’s behind a wall, it’s best to work with a plumber.

Cause: High Water Pressure or Water Hammer

Less frequently, pipes can vibrate due to high water pressure or a water hammer, which happens when water that’s flowing fast hits a closed valve. A plumber can identify and fix these issues.

5. Plumbing is Bubbling

If your plumbing is bubbling, you’re probably dealing with problems associated with gurgling plumbing.

Cause: Blocked or Incorrectly Vented Drain

Whether you’re dealing with a blocked or improperly vented drain, a plumber can fix it.

Central Heating & Plumbing Can Solve Your Strange Plumbing Noises

No one wants to hear a loud or odd noise coming from their plumbing. There are lots of different noises that can be heard from your pipes and what they mean may differs. If you have any questions about the noises you’re hearing in your home, give us a call at 724-401-1843 today. We’re here to assist you when you need a plumber in New Castle or neighboring areas.