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

These noises include:

  • 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 several issues.

Cause: Mineral Buildup

More than 90% of U.S. homes have hard water, which means it contains too much 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 install a water softener is the best way to solve this issue.

Cause: Old 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 lifetime and you’re faced with leaks, rusty water or low water pressure, it may be time to have them replaced.

Cause: High Water Pressure

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

If this is what’s creating the issue, 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 kinds.

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 rises instead of draining, especially in multiple drains.

It can be tempting to use a liquid drain opener to fix the issue, but this can create more problems. These products are harsh and can eat away at your pipes. It’s always best to have a plumber unclog your pipes, either via a snake or jetting.

Cause: Clogged 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 taking care of backup in your basement.

Things that can obstruct 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 stinky plumbing smells out of your home. If they get blocked, you’ll likely notice gurgling, encounter slow draining or smell sewage. A plumber can help you get to the root of and solve 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 cause problems such as 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 sound.

Cause: Unsecured Pipe Clamp

The most common trigger of vibrating plumbing is an unsecured pipe clamp. This hardware keeps pipes secure 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 because of high water pressure or a water hammer, which occurs when water that’s flowing fast hits a closed valve. A plumber can identify and correct these problems.

5. Plumbing is Bubbling

If your plumbing is bubbling, you’re probably dealing with issues associated with gurgling plumbing.

Cause: Blocked or Improperly Vented Drain

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

Air-Right Energy Design Can Solve Your Odd Plumbing Sounds

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 varies. If you have any questions about the noises you’re hearing in your home, give us a call at 703-260-1148 today. We’re here to assist you when you need a plumber in Manassas or neighboring areas.