Why Do My Pipes Rattle and Make Noise All the Time?

There’s nothing more annoying than listening to noisy water pipes, especially when you’re lying in bed at night. Rather than accepting to live with noisy plumbing, find out why your pipes continue to make all of this dreadful noise. There are usually a few reasons as to why your plumbing pipes make noise all of the time.

Water Hammers

When water is traveling through a pipe and it comes to the end near a faucet, it can create a loud noise that sounds like the swing of a hammer. To prevent these water hammers from consistently happening, air chambers (vertical pipes installed near faucets) are put in place to cushion the fast-moving water. However, every once in awhile you’ll need to refill these air chambers if you start to hear water hammers frequently.

• Shut off the main water supply valve.
• Turn on the highest faucet in your house and allow it to drain.
• Turn on the lowest faucet in your house and allow it to drain (this is usually either in the basement, outside, or on the first floor of your home).
• Once all of the water has been drained out and air is now inside of the pipes, turn off the lowest faucet, turn on the main valve, and allow water to flow through the remaining open faucet. You can now close the highest faucet in the house.

High Water Pressure

Water pressure that’s too high can contribute to loud banging noises within your pipes. To regulate the water pressure within your home, adjust the regulator that’s attached to the water supply line where it enters your home. For those without a regulator or pressure-reducing valve, consider having one installed by a professional plumber. Reducing water pressure that is already too high can lower your monthly water bills and also save you wear and tear on your water-supplied appliances and fixtures.

Loose Mounts

Inspect all of the visible plumbing pipes in your home and make sure they’re all tightly fastened. A pipe that is loose within its mounting straps can vibrate and bang against the wall or wherever it’s currently mounted to. Making sure all straps are properly installed and fastened will significantly reduce any noise that is caused by water hammers and high water pressure.

If your plumbing pipes shake, rattle, and roll, don’t try to ignore the noise — take it as a warning sign that it needs to be fixed ASAP. When your home needs professional plumbing repair or replacement, contact Len The Plumber. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (800) 950-4619.