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

These noises include:

  • 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 dealing with several issues.

Cause: Mineral Buildup

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

If you have issues with soap scum, clogged pipes or appliances deteriorating quickly, you might be dealing with hard water. Having a plumber install a water softener is the best way to fix this issue.

Cause: Aging Pipes

Plumbing doesn’t last forever. If you have an older home, you should 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 life span and you’re dealing with leaks, discolored water or low water pressure, it may be time to have them replaced.

Cause: High Water Pressure

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

If this is what’s creating the problem, a plumber can check and replace your home’s pressure-reducing valve as necessary.

2. Plumbing is Gurgling

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

Cause: Clogged Drain

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

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

It can be tempting to use a liquid drain opener to fix the issue, but this can create more problems. These products are corrosive and can eat away at your pipes. It’s always best to have a plumber unclog your pipes, either via a snake or jetting.

Cause: Blocked Sewer Line

Your home has a sewer pipe that transports waste to the main 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 other than toilet paper. Whether you’re coping 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 clogged, you’ll likely hear gurgling, experience slow draining or smell sewage. A plumber can help you get to the bottom of and solve this smelly problem.

3. Plumbing is Humming

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

Cause: High Water Pressure

Humming means your home’s water pressure is probably too high. This can create problems such as 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 sound.

Cause: Unsecured Pipe Clamp

The most common trigger of vibrating plumbing is a loose pipe clamp. This hardware keeps pipes secure when water is running 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 call a plumber.

Cause: High Water Pressure or Water Hammer

Less commonly, pipes can vibrate because of 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: Clogged or Incorrectly Vented Drain

Whether you’re dealing with a clogged or incorrectly vented drain, a plumber can take care of it.

Age Heating & Cooling Can Resolve Your Odd Plumbing Sounds

No one wants to hear a loud or strange noise coming from their plumbing. There are lots of different noises that can be heard from your pipes and what they mean may varies. If you have any questions about the sounds you’re hearing in your home, give us a call at 208-603-2210 today. We’re here to help when you need a plumber in Sandpoint or neighboring areas.