Common Plumbing Sounds and What They Mean | Insight from Your Trusted Plumber in The Heights, TX

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You don't have to be a trained plumber to know that sounds coming from your plumbing system are not great. Many people ignore the odd sounds they hear because they don't want to deal with a large plumbing bill, but ignoring them will likely only increase the costs of a plumber's visit. Usually the quicker you act the better the situation will be.

Sounds in your plumbing system more often than not indicate some type of issue. The problem may be small at first, but if you don't fix it then it could grow into a system wide issue. Any plumbing service worth its name in The Heights, TX will tell you that anything out of the ordinary is a sign that it's time to call out a local service.

A lot of times the sound can be fixed quickly and easily, because the sound itself can be used as a diagnostic tool. Instead of having to investigate the issue, a trained plumbing service may be able to use the noise itself to actually figure out the problem. With this in mind, it can be useful to differentiate between the many common signs of plumbing issues in your home 

The following is a quick look at several of the most common plumbing noises, and what they may mean. Remember, it is always best to get the professional opinion of a plumber in The Heights, TX, but it may relax you a bit to know that a simple knocking noise doesn't mean you need a complete overhaul. Not all sounds are extremely problematic, but a few are.

Loud Banging Noises

A banging noise that starts the minute that you turn your water on is referred to by plumbers as a water hammer. Some people get so used to the banging noise that they hardly notice it, but there is something you can do about it. Water hammers generally occur because there is a closed valve still stopping the flow of water from flowing unhindered through the pipe. When you open the faucet no doubt the water starts rushing towards it, but a closed valve abruptly stops it.

Not only will this create a loud banging noise, but it will eventually loosen up the joints in your piping system. Eventually, this can lead to leaks around the joints and even damage to your pipes. Usually, the water hammer is caused by air chambers in the pipe valves that get clogged by the overflow of pressurized water. Water can take a close look at the air chambers and clean them out to prevent clogging. Additionally, they will take a good look at the piping and replace any parts that may be damaged by the situation before a leak or flood occurs.

Jiggling or Shaking Pipes

Most pipes shake a bit when you turn the water on, but if they are shaking enough that you actually can hear them, this is an indication that something is off. Usually, it means that the pipes are not fully secured. A few mounting straps can help secure pipes that have loosened up over time. If you already have straps on the pipes, you may want to go along the piping and tighten up the straps. Keep an eye out for any straps that may have pulled off or simply worn away over time.

If your shaking pipes are hidden behind a wall or in another tough to reach place, then give a plumber in The Heights, TX a call. They are used to working with pipes in hard to reach locations and can secure your pipes properly before any joints work loose. Most likely the plumber will also inspect the quality of the hidden pipes since they are not usually visible, which can be a great proactive step to preventing any future problems.

A Loud Screeching Noise

Anyone who watches horror films knows that loud screeching noises are never a good sign. A screech from your plumbing system is also not a great sound. The screech usually occurs as you are turning on a faucet. Instead of immediate water flow, you hear a high-pitched whine and then the water shoots out afterward. The good news is that usually that screeching noise is caused by a defective or loose part inside of the faucet. Repairing or replacing your faucet is the best way to fix this problem.

If your faucet is semi-new, then it is possible that it was not installed correctly in the first place. A plumber can easily look over your faucet system to determine whether the installation was an issue. Replacing it is always an issue if that does not solve the problem.

Gurgling Drains

In theory, water should simply run down your drains, but if you hear gurgling coming from your sink, shower, or bathtub there is a good chance you have a clog. If there is a clog somewhere in your piping the water will gurgle on its way down as it passes through the clog. Water will still drain with a partial clog, so the fact that water is going down the drain does not mean that your drains are clean. Many people wait until the drain stops working completely to call a plumber, but you can save yourself a lot of hassle by calling a plumber when the gurgling starts. Fixing a partial clog before a major block-up will save you from frustration, smelly odors, and an emergency plumbing service bill.

If you notice the gurgling sounds when you any of the drains in your home then it's more likely an issue with your drain vents. Drains that are not regularly cleaned will result in the gurgling noise. You can easily have them cleaned or replaced by calling bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Northwest Houston. A simple cleaning can save you a big headache.