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 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 contains excessive calcium and magnesium. These minerals can build up 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 add a water softener is the best way to fix this problem.

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 life span 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 water supplier or problems with your water heater. A telltale sign of high water pressure is hearing banging in your pipes, particularly after shutting 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 noise. It’s usually a symptom that you’re experiencing 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 blocked. 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 cause 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 carries waste to the primary 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 block or plug 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 plugged 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 icky plumbing smells out of your home. If they get blocked, you’ll likely hear gurgling, encounter slow draining or smell sewage. A plumber can help you get to the root of and resolve this smelly problem.

3. Plumbing is Humming

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

Cause: High Water Pressure

Humming means your home’s water pressure is probably too high. This can create 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 causing 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 fix 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 issues.

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 clogged or incorrectly vented drain, a plumber can take care of it.

Appalachian Heating Can Solve Your Strange Plumbing Noises

Nobody 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 304-707-0600 today. We’re here to assist you when you need a plumber in Beckley or neighboring areas.