It’s a positive thing that your plumbing is dependable. 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 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 dealing with several issues.

Cause: Mineral Buildup

More than 90% of U.S. homes have hard water, which means it contains too much 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 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 work 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 insufficient 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 sign of high water pressure is hearing banging in your pipes, especially after turning off a faucet.

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

2. Plumbing is Gurgling

Gurgling isn’t a good sound. It’s usually a sign that you’re dealing with 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 rises instead of draining, particularly in multiple drains.

It can be enticing to use a liquid drain opener to fix the issue, but this can cause more problems. These products are corrosive and can erode your pipes. It’s always best to have a plumber unblock your pipes, either through a snake or jetting.

Cause: Clogged Sewer Line

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

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

Cause: Blocked 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 notice 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 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 around 60–70 PSI.

4. Plumbing is Vibrating

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

Cause: Unsecured Pipe Clamp

The most common cause of vibrating plumbing is an unsecured 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 recommended to work with a plumber.

Cause: High Water Pressure or Water Hammer

Less frequently, pipes can vibrate because of high water pressure or a water hammer, which occurs when water that’s flowing fast hits a closed valve. A plumber can identify and correct these problems.

5. Plumbing is Bubbling

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

Cause: Blocked or Incorrectly Vented Drain

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

County Line Mechanical LLC Can Solve Your Odd Plumbing Sounds

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 differs. If you have any questions about the noises you’re hearing in your home, give us a call at 717-216-0846 today. We’re here to assist you when you need a plumber in Reinholds or surrounding areas.