It’s a good thing that your plumbing is dependable. When your plumbing is making sounds or is loud, you might start to worry. While some sounds are typical, others aren’t. We’ll walk you through five common sounds 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 facing several issues.

Cause: Hard Water

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

If you struggle with soap scum, clogged pipes or appliances wearing out quickly, you might have hard water. Having a plumber install a water softener is the best way to solve 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 close to the end of their lifetime and you’re dealing with leaks, discolored water or low water pressure, it may be time to have new ones installed.

Cause: High Water Pressure

This can be caused by your utility provider or issues with your water heater. A telltale sign of high water pressure is hearing knocking in your pipes, particularly after shutting off a faucet.

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

2. Plumbing is Gurgling

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

Cause: Clogged 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 rises instead of draining, particularly 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 eat away at your pipes. It’s always best to have a plumber unclog your pipes, either through a snake or jetting.

Cause: Blocked Sewer Line

Your home has a sewer pipe that carries waste to the main sewer line, usually situated in your yard or in the street. If this pipe gets clogged, you will likely be taking care of backup in your basement.

Things that can obstruct or clog this pipe includes tree roots seeking water or by flushing bathroom products other than toilet paper. Whether you’re dealing with tree roots or a clogged toilet, you’re going to need help from a professional plumber.

Cause: Plugged Sewer Vent or P-Trap

The sewer vent system and P-traps on your drains keep icky 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 root of and solve this smelly problem.

3. Plumbing is Humming

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

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 creating this sound.

Cause: Unsecured Pipe Clamp

The most common trigger of vibrating plumbing is a loose pipe clamp. This hardware keeps pipes in place when water is flowing through them. If the loose pipe is under 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 commonly, pipes can vibrate due to high water pressure or a water hammer, which occurs when water that’s moving fast hits a closed valve. A plumber can identify and fix these problems.

5. Plumbing is Bubbling

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

Cause: Blocked or Incorrectly Vented Drain

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

Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating Can Solve Your Strange Plumbing Noises

No one wants to hear a loud or odd noise coming from their plumbing. There are many 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 815-933-8213 today. We’re here to help when you need a plumber in Kankakee or neighboring areas.