It’s a good thing that your plumbing is reliable. When your plumbing is making noises or is loud, you might begin 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 a couple of issues.

Cause: Hard Water

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, creating clogs and less efficient operation.

If you struggle with soap scum, clogged pipes or appliances deteriorating quickly, you might have hard water. Having a plumber add a water softener is the best way to fix this problem.

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 near the end of their lifetime and you’re faced 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 utility provider or problems with your water heater. A telltale indication of high water pressure is hearing banging in your pipes, especially after turning off a faucet.

If this is what’s creating the issue, a plumber can inspect and replace your home’s pressure-reducing valve as necessary.

2. Plumbing is Gurgling

Gurgling isn’t a good noise. It’s usually a sign that you’re experiencing some sort of blockage or clog. Here are three of the most common types.

Cause: Plugged 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 enticing to use a liquid drain opener to fix the issue, but this can create more problems. These products are corrosive and can erode your pipes. It’s always recommended to have a plumber unclog your pipes, either through a snake or jetting.

Cause: Clogged Sewer Line

Your home has a sewer pipe that carries waste to the primary 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 obstruct or clog this pipe includes tree roots searching for water or by flushing bathroom products besides toilet paper. Whether you’re dealing with tree roots or a clogged toilet, you’re going to need assistance from a professional plumber.

Cause: Plugged 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 clogged, you’ll likely notice gurgling, encounter 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 irritating 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 control water pressure, which should be around 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 a loose pipe clamp. This hardware keeps pipes in place when water is running through them. If the loose pipe is under a sink, you might be able to fix 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 happens when water that’s flowing fast runs into a closed valve. A plumber can diagnose and fix these problems.

5. Plumbing is Bubbling

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

Cause: Clogged or Improperly Vented Drain

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

J.L. Brady Company LLC Can Resolve Your Strange Plumbing Sounds

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, give us a call at 309-517-7511 today. We’re here to assist you when you need a plumber in Moline or neighboring areas.