It’s a positive thing that your plumbing is reliable. When your plumbing is making noises or is loud, you might begin 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 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: Hard Water

More than 90% of U.S. homes have hard water, which means it has 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 have hard water. Having a plumber add 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 near the end of their lifetime and you’re faced with leaks, discolored water or low water pressure, it may be time to have new ones installed.

Cause: Water Pressure Is Too High

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

If this is what’s causing the problem, 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 symptom that you’re experiencing some sort of blockage or clog. Here are three of the most common kinds.

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 harsh and can erode your pipes. It’s always recommended to have a plumber unblock your pipes, either through a snake or jetting.

Cause: Blocked Sewer Line

Your home has a sewer pipe that transports waste to the primary sewer line, usually situated in your yard or in the street. If this pipe gets clogged, you will likely be dealing with backup in your basement.

Things that can obstruct 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 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 notice gurgling, encounter slow draining or smell sewage. A plumber can help you get to the bottom of and resolve 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 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: Loose Pipe Clamp

The most common cause of vibrating plumbing is an unsecured pipe clamp. This hardware keeps pipes in place when water is flowing through them. If the loose pipe is below a sink, you might be able to fix 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 happens when water that’s moving fast runs into a closed valve. A plumber can identify and correct these issues.

5. Plumbing is Bubbling

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

Cause: Clogged or Incorrectly Vented Drain

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

Lakeside Heating & Air Can Solve Your Odd Plumbing Sounds

Nobody wants to hear a loud or strange 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 noises you’re hearing in your home, give us a call at 509-284-4265 today. We’re here to help when you need a plumber in Chelan and Wenatchee or neighboring areas.