Q: My pipes rattle and I hear all kinds of annoying sounds, what's wrong? A: I agree, noisy pipes can be very irritating. Over the past 35 years as a Master Plumber, I've seen it all...here are a few possible reasons: Banging Pipes - they are much easier to fix when you can see them.  Turn on the water, listen and look. Once the problem areas are identified, pad with foam or firmly secure the pipe to the sturcture, wall, stud, block etc. No tearing apart of your home required. Unfortuantely it's not always that easy and that's where we can help. Try this fix.  A pipe banging against a masonry wall can be quieted by placing a wood block behind it, fastening the block to the wall, and securing the pipe to the wood. Sometimes, the pipe is loose within its strap or U-clamp and is banging against the wall it's supposed to be secured to. To eliminate the noise, slit a piece of old garden hose or cut a patch of rubber and insert it behind the strap or clamp to fill in the gap.
Other Factors to consider: Supply pipes and drainpipes are running next to each other and touching. Water pressure that is too high. In this case you could try reducing it. Knocking sound occurs only when you turn on the hot water...your water heater temperature is set too high. A pipe that's too small to begin with or that has become clogged with scale or mineral deposits can be a big noise problem. Drainpipes rarely clatter, but they can make a sucking noise as the water leaves the sink or basin. Typically a vent is restricted or missing. In either case, you have a potentially serious plumbing problem, which can allow sewer gas to back up into your home.  A plumbers' snake run through the vent from the fixture or from the roof vent may eliminate any clogging. A missing vent is more serious and can be fixed with the installation of an antisiphon trap. Water hammer is a specific plumbing noise that occurs when you shut off the water suddenly and the fast-moving water rushing through the pipe is brought to a quick halt, creating a sort of shock wave and a hammering noise. Plumbing that's properly installed has air chambers, or cushions, that compress when the shock wave hits, softening the blow and preventing this hammering. The chambers can fail, though, because water under pressure gradually absorbs the air. If you've never had hammering and then it suddenly starts, in all likelihood, your plumbing system's air chambers have become waterlogged. In my experience it is usually best to call in the professionals on this one.
The next time you hear noises or clatter coming from your home's plumbing system, try the solutions mentioned above. The same goes for leaking, sweating, or frozen pipes. If you can solve the problem right away, you can prevent it from becoming more serious. If in doubt call us - we can help. Do you have a Plumbing or Heating question? ASK KEITH |
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