It’s a good thing that your plumbing is dependable. When your plumbing is making sounds or is loud, you might begin to worry. While some sounds are normal, others aren’t. We’ll walk you through five common noises and how to solve 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 dealing with a couple of issues.

Cause: Mineral Buildup

More than 90% of U.S. homes have hard water, which means it has too much calcium and magnesium. These minerals can build up in your pipes and appliances, causing 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 install a water softener is the best way to solve 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 life span and you’re dealing with leaks, rusty water or insufficient water pressure, it may be time to have new ones installed.

Cause: Water Pressure Is Too High

This can be caused by your water supplier or issues with your water heater. A telltale sign of high water pressure is hearing knocking in your pipes, especially after turning off a faucet.

If this is what’s causing the problem, a plumber can check and replace your home’s pressure-reducing valve as needed.

2. Plumbing is Gurgling

Gurgling isn’t a good noise. It’s usually a symptom that you’re dealing with 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 goes up instead of draining, particularly in multiple drains.

It can be tempting to use a liquid drain opener to fix the issue, but this can create more problems. These products are corrosive and can eat away at your pipes. It’s always best to have a plumber unblock your pipes, either through a snake or jetting.

Cause: Clogged Sewer Line

Your home has a sewer pipe that transports waste to the main sewer line, usually situated in your yard or in the street. If this pipe gets clogged, you will likely be taking care of backup in your basement.

Things that can block or plug 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: Blocked Sewer Vent or P-Trap

The sewer vent system and P-traps on your drains keep icky plumbing smells out of your home. If they get clogged, you’ll likely notice gurgling, experience slow draining or smell sewage. A plumber can help you get to the bottom of and solve this smelly problem.

3. Plumbing is Humming

If your plumbing is humming, you’re not just dealing with an annoying sound.

Cause: High Water Pressure

Humming means your home’s water pressure is probably too high. This can cause problems such as water leaks and damage to faucets and other fixtures. A plumber can help you regulate 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 trigger of vibrating plumbing is an unsecured pipe clamp. This hardware keeps pipes secure when water is flowing through them. If the loose pipe is below a sink, you might be able to fix this issue yourself. If it’s behind a wall, it’s recommended to call a plumber.

Cause: High Water Pressure or Water Hammer

Less commonly, pipes can vibrate due to high water pressure or a water hammer, which occurs when water that’s moving fast runs into a closed valve. A plumber can identify and correct these issues.

5. Plumbing is Bubbling

If your plumbing is bubbling, you’re probably dealing with issues associated with gurgling plumbing.

Cause: Clogged or Improperly Vented Drain

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

GLR Mechanical Can Solve Your Odd Plumbing Sounds

Nobody wants to hear a loud or strange noise coming from their plumbing. There are many different noises that can be heard from your pipes and what they mean may differs. If you have any questions about the sounds you’re hearing in your home, contact at 570-309-0403 today. We’re here to help when you need a plumber in Wilkes Barre and Scranton or neighboring areas.