It’s a positive thing that your plumbing is reliable. When your plumbing is making sounds or is loud, you might start to worry. While some sounds are normal, others aren’t. We’ll walk you through five common noises 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 a couple of issues.

Cause: Hard Water

More than 90% of U.S. homes have hard water, which means it contains excessive calcium and magnesium. These minerals can accumulate 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 solve this issue.

Cause: Aging Pipes

Plumbing doesn’t work forever. If you have an older home, it’s important to 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 faced with leaks, discolored water or insufficient water pressure, it may be time to have them replaced.

Cause: Water Pressure Is Too High

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

If this is what’s creating 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 types.

Cause: Clogged Drain

Your drain can either be partially or fully blocked. Here’s the difference:

  • Partial clog—water drains more slowly than normal.
  • Full clog—water goes up instead of draining, particularly 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 corrosive and can eat away at your pipes. It’s always recommended to have a plumber unclog your pipes, either via a snake or jetting.

Cause: Blocked Sewer Line

Your home has a sewer pipe that transports waste to the main sewer line, usually located 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 block or clog this pipe includes tree roots searching for 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: 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 blocked, you’ll likely hear gurgling, experience 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 annoying noise.

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 control water pressure, which should be about 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 in place 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 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 happens when water that’s moving fast runs into a closed valve. A plumber can diagnose and correct these problems.

5. Plumbing is Bubbling

If your plumbing is bubbling, you’re likely dealing with issues related to gurgling plumbing.

Cause: Clogged or Incorrectly Vented Drain

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

Fire & Ice HVAC Can Solve Your Strange Plumbing Sounds

No one wants to hear a loud or strange 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 703-595-4157 today. We’re here to help when you need a plumber in Manassas or neighboring areas.