Water pipes are not meant to be loud and noisy when used but unfortunately, some do rattle and make noises due to weather, clogs, loose fittings and a host of other factors. In general, the unwelcomed din from your pipes is usually caused by: Water Hammering.
If your pipes sound like they're humming, it's likely a water pressure issue. When the water pressure is high, it can cause the water pipes to vibrate and create a humming sound. High water pressure is more common if you have a well for your water, but it can happen with municipal water as well.
To make matters worse, loud noises coming from your piping can actually be an indicator of a bad plumbing problem or series of plumbing problems in your pipes. If left untreated, these clogging and drainage issues can become disastrous over time.
Typically, banging noises coming from your pipes infer an issue with water flow or water pressure. Two of the most common causes are water hammers and trapped air bubbles. A water hammer, also known as hydraulic shock, occurs when fluid in motion is suddenly stopped when a faucet or valve is shut off.
The Water Hammer Problem
The effect of the shockwaves can damage the pipes and knock them loose, and also damage taps, faucets, and appliances. Enough force from water hammer can even cause pipes to burst. If you hear rattling sounds along with the water hammer, it likely means you have pipes coming loose.
Most often, it is due to pressure changes or water flow issues inside the pipes. Water rushes with high momentum and speed through pipes. When a faucet or valve is shut off suddenly, the moving water hits a closed valve, which causes a loud bang.
Popping Sounds
If you hear one or more loud “popping” sounds coming from a wall in the residence, this noise could indicate pipes bursting. When water freezes, it expands in size. Consequently, chunks of ice in a frozen plumbing system sometimes press against pipe, blocking the flow of water.
An easy way to eliminate whistling water pipes is to install a water pressure valve. Often, the water supply company can install this type of valve, which will reduce the water pressure and eliminate the whistling and hissing noises of behind your walls and ceiling.
If the humming sounds like it's coming from inside the building's walls or from all taps and appliances (rather than one isolated fixture), it's probably caused by a water pressure issue.
Whistling or squealing water pipes results from water being forced through a smaller opening than the plumbing components were designed for. This is often due to: water pressure too high, wear & tear on plumbing components, water mineral build-up from the water, or other types of degradations.
Limescale doesn't just get inside your showerhead—it can also accumulate in the pipe leading to your showerhead. The more mineral buildup occurs, the narrower the pipe's interior becomes. The movement of water pushing through this narrow passage at a high speed can cause a high-pitched squeal.
Gurgling, hissing, banging and clanging are all noises your water pipes shouldn't be making. If you're pipes have suddenly become noisy there is a reason, and that reason could be a warning that they are about to burst.
Pipes wear over time and lose their strength. If you notice tear signs on your pipes, call your plumber immediately to have them fixed. Worn out pipes can cause leaks and burst anytime.
In a winter cold spell, water pipes may develop ice and form a blockage. If left untreated, this can lead to increased pressure, causing the pipe to burst. A burst water pipe in your home can cause more than $5,000 in damage, so it's important to act quickly.
If you're hearing banging noises at random, even while no water is running, it's likely that there's some sediment buildup at the bottom of your water heater. If this is the case, what you're hearing is the resulting reverberations of steam bubbles coming out of that built-up sediment.
The most evident warning sign of water hammer is the noise. It sounds like a loud, abrupt BANG or a THUG. It can often be accompanied by rattling in the piping. Typically, it happens more than once as the supersonic pressure wave bounces back and forth in the piping system.
You can cure water hammer by turning off the water behind the waterlogged chamber, opening the offending faucet and permitting the faucet to drain thoroughly. Once all the water drains from the chamber, air will fill it again and restore the cushion.
Pipes typically burst when exposed to extremely low temperatures for an extended period of time (anywhere from 1-3 days depending on temperature). This is especially true for pipes located on exterior walls. A frozen pipe is likely to burst when any water or liquid trapped within it freezes and begins to expand.
In this case, the water isn't blocked, and can always retreat back to its source. Pipes that are the most at risk of bursting are those that are exposed: located outside of building insulation, or in unheated interior areas like basements, attics and crawl spaces.
Infrared camera – You can also use an infrared camera to detect cold areas in a wall. The wettest areas of a wall will be the coldest and will show up as blue or purple on the camera. This is another device commonly used by plumbing professionals to detect water leaks inside walls.
Your homeowners insurance policy should cover any sudden and unexpected water damage due to a plumbing malfunction or broken pipe. However, most home insurance policies exclude damage to your home that occurred gradually, such as a slow, constant leak, as well as damage due to regional flooding.
“Hiss” or “Whoosh” from pipe vibration and orifice pressure reduction. “Splashing” or “Babbling Brook” sounds from water flowing around the pipe. Rapid “beating/thumping” sounds from water spray striking the wall of the soil cavity. Small “clinking” sounds of stones and pebbles bouncing off the pipe.