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

Cause: Mineral Buildup

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 struggle with soap scum, clogged pipes or appliances wearing out quickly, you might be dealing with hard water. Having a plumber add a water softener is the best way to solve this problem.

Cause: Old Pipes

Plumbing doesn’t last 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 life span and you’re dealing with leaks, discolored water or low water pressure, it may be time to have new ones installed.

Cause: High Water Pressure

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

If this is what’s causing 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 sound. It’s usually a symptom that you’re dealing with 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 blocked. Here’s the difference:

  • Partial clog—water drains more slowly than normal.
  • Full clog—water rises instead of draining, especially in multiple drains.

It can be tempting to use a liquid drain opener to correct the issue, but this can cause more problems. These products are corrosive and can eat away at your pipes. It’s always best to have a plumber unblock your pipes, either through a snake or jetting.

Cause: Clogged Sewer Line

Your home has a sewer pipe that carries waste to the main 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 block or clog this pipe includes tree roots seeking 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 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 annoying sound.

Cause: High Water Pressure

Humming means your home’s water pressure is probably too high. This can cause problems like 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 noise.

Cause: Loose Pipe Clamp

The most common trigger of vibrating plumbing is a loose 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 recommended to call a plumber.

Cause: High Water Pressure or Water Hammer

Less commonly, pipes can vibrate due to high water pressure or a water hammer, which occurs when water that’s flowing fast hits a closed valve. A plumber can identify and fix these problems.

5. Plumbing is Bubbling

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

Cause: Blocked or Incorrectly Vented Drain

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

B & G HVAC Can Resolve Your Odd Plumbing Noises

No one 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, contact at 641-316-3360 today. We’re here to assist you when you need a plumber in Marshalltown or surrounding areas.