Why Is Your Plumbing System Noisy?

If your plumbing system is noisy, you should troubleshoot the issue as soon as possible. This helps you prevent severe damage to your home and keep your family safe.

Odd sounds from your plumbing system may indicate serious issues such as loose components and water pressure problems. However, the noise could also signify minor problems like sediment build-up.

This blog post will help you understand some plumbing noises, their causes, and when to call in a professional.

Banging Pipes

This noise is mainly a result of sudden water pressure release. When water pressure is too high, the force can cause the pipes to shake and create a banging noise. You can quickly rectify this problem by installing a water pressure regulator.



If the banging noise continues after regulator installation, the banging sounds may be due to sediment build-up in your pipes. Over time, minerals in the water can cause a crusty build-up on the inside of your pipes. This sediment can restrict water flow and cause noisy banging when the water is turned on or off suddenly. The best way to remove this sediment is to call in a professional, who will use hydro jetting to clear out your pipes.

Dripping Faucet

A dripping faucet is often a result of a faulty washer. The washer is a small, disc-shaped component that sits between the handle and the valve seat in your faucet. Over time, the washer can become loose or faulty, which causes water to drip out when you turn on the handle. You can fix this problem by simply replacing the washer.

If your faucet is dripping because of a more severe problem, such as a leaky pipe, you need to call a professional plumber to fix the issue. A leaky pipe can waste hundreds of gallons of water each year, so you should let experts fix the pipe as soon as possible.

Humming Pipes

Humming noise from the pipes is primarily due to high water pressure. A range of factors can cause water pressure problems, including a faulty pressure regulator or a problem with the main water supply.

Humming pipes may also indicate that your pipes are too small for the amount of water flowing through them. A lack of adequate space can create extra pressure on the pipes and cause them to make humming noises.

Contact a professional plumber to assess your plumbing system. The expert will recommend whether you only need to install a water pressure regulator or a full pipe replacement.

Running Toilet

A faulty flapper is the primary culprit for a running toilet. The flapper is a rubber seal that sits over the drain hole at the tank's bottom. When you flush the toilet, the flapper lifts up and allows water to flow from the tank into the bowl.

A worn-out flapper may not seal properly, which causes water to leak from the tank into the bowl.

Consequently, your toilet will run constantly and waste significant water. If you hear odd sounds from the toilet or your water bill rises unexplainably, contact a plumber to inspect your system and resolve the issue.

Gurgling Pipes

This sound is primarily an indicator of a blockage in the drain. The issue may result from soap scum, hair, or other debris which clogs the drain and blocks water flow.

Gurgling pipes may also signify a more serious problem, such as a sewer line blockage. If you have a blocked sewer line, sewage and water can back up into your home through the drains. This issue can create a serious health hazard, so you should seek immediate help from a professional plumber.

Noisy plumbing may indicate a significant underlying problem. Now that you know the five most common plumbing noises and their causes, you can take steps to fix the problem or call in a professional to help. You can trust us at O'Fallon Sewer Service for all your plumbing needs. Contact us for a deep system inspection to determine and solve the causes of the above sounds.