Noisy Pipe There are many different noises homeowners will hear in their homes, and it is important to know which noises are serious and which are not. Some noises will simply be the sound of the house settling, but other noises could indicate a big impending problem. It is important for homeowners to learn to tell the harmless noises from the more serious ones.

One of the most common noises in the home is that of noisy water pipes. There are a number of different noises the homeowner may hear. Banging or clunking, for instance could be indications of an obstruction in the pipes or another problem, so it is important to listen carefully. In addition, homeowners may hear the sound of water rushing through the pipes. This noise is particularly common in the case of plastic pipes. In some cases where plastic pipes have been combined with older copper ones, the noise may happen where the plastic hooks into the plastic, and in some cases the noise may reverberate throughout the entire system.

Common solutions to water pipe problems

These kinds of problems, in which there is a rushing sound or similar issue, can sometimes be fixed with a reduction in the pressure of water running through the pipes. Home builders often use smaller pipes to save on construction costs, and these smaller pipes can cause greater pressure in the system. Using larger pipes can reduce the pressure and reduce the velocity of the water through the pipes. Those homeowners who have the opposite problem of too low water pressure may want to consider using smaller caliber pipes to increase water pressure.

In the case of noisy pipes with an unpleasant rushing sound, chances are good that the builder of the home used pipes with a half inch diameter. If the builder used a plastic feed with a smaller diameter there may be enough water velocity through the pipes to cause an unpleasant noise.

The first step to water probems

In order to correct the situation, the first step is to make sure that all the shut off valves, such as those below the sinks, are totally open. In some cases these valves can cause noises of their own, and they may even be the cause of the problem. It is also important to look for any crushed or dented sections of piping that could be causing a noise and a build up of water pressure.

Wrapping the pipes with dampening foam can sometimes help a noise problem, especially if the problem is not severe. For a more severe noise problem, rubber will work better, and some extra bracing may help as well.

Tracking down a noise problem is not always as easy as it may seem. Sometimes a noise that appears to be coming from one part of the home is actually coming from somewhere else entirely, so it is important to track down the actual source of the noise before taking the steps necessary to correct it.