There are instances wherein you may hear unusual noises coming from your plumbing system. Ideally, you should not hear any of them except for running water. However, when you do hear these strange sounds, you need to take the time to inspect your plumbing system because these noises indicate something not right with your plumbing. Below are some of the plumbing sounds that you will most likely hear, along with what they mean.
Knocking
One of the plumbing sounds that you are most likely to hear when you have a problem with your plumbing system is knocking. It can either occur when you shut off the water or when the water is running. You may also hear knocking randomly. Nevertheless, when you hear this sound, then it is a good indication that it is time for you to hire an emergency plumber who will be able to help you with your plumbing issues.
The phenomenon of a knocking sound when you shut off the water such as when your washing machine has finished filling up is known as a water hammer. This incident usually occurs when running water comes in contact with a valve that is suddenly closed. On the other hand, when you hear a knocking noise while water is running, then you may have unusually high water pressure in your plumbing system.
Sometimes, you may also hear the knocking sound randomly. In this case, you may want to check your water heater because a random knocking sound can indicate a sediment buildup in it. This can cause your water heater to vibrate but simply flushing your water heater will solve the problem.
Gurgling
Another type of sound that you can hear from your plumbing system is the gurgling sound which usually occurs when you flush your toilet or when water runs down your drain. Gurgling sounds are often an indication that there are bubbles trapped inside your pipes. It can also mean that there is a blockage building up or you may even have sewer line issues. While the gurgling sound is not the problem itself, it can be a sign of a bigger problem that ends up being more costly if left unattended.
Whining
Finally, you may also come across whining sounds coming from your plumbing system. More often than not, this is a sign of a damaged pressure-reducing valve. You need to treat this immediately because it can affect your entire home. Nevertheless, there are instances wherein this problem is isolated in your bathroom or kitchen. Just keep in mind that you need to have this checked immediately because the worst that can happen is that the pressure-reducing valve can lead to a burst pipe.
The Bottomline
The plumbing sounds listed above are only some of the strange noises that you may hear in case there is anything unusual in your system. There are instances wherein you may hear other noises such as dripping, which is quite common in leaky fixtures. The key is in ensuring that you act promptly when you hear these noises to ensure that any problem in your plumbing system is addressed immediately.
