From taking a bath to cooking or doing laundry, you count on your plumbing system to supply water throughout your house and help you complete your daily tasks. However, sooner or later, your pipes may start making strange noises. Unexpected plumbing issues can interfere with your day-to-day life and cause severe damage to your home.
If you hear a strange water pipe noise when water is not running, it means something is happening with your pipes.So, what are your noisy pipes trying to tell you?And, is there a way you can repair the damage by yourself or do you need to call a professional plumber right away?
What to Do When You Hear a Strange Water Pipe Noise When Water Is Not Running
What does it mean when the water pipes make noise? Noisy water pipes can be an indicator of a severe plumbing problem. Let’s take a look at the most common issues to get to the cause of damage.
Water Pipes Banging
If you hear banging noises coming from the pipes, it indicates a problem with water flow or water pressure. This is a common plumbing noise, also known as a water hammer.
A water hammer occurs when the valve is shut off quickly. The water was flowing toward the exit when you suddenly closed the valve, causing a bang in your pipes. You can try to release the air trapped in your pipes, but if you keep hearing the same noise repeatedly, you may need a professional plumber to repair the damage.
Water Pipes Humming
In most cases, humming noises are caused by water pressure. When the pressure is high and can’t cope with your plumbing system’s capacity, it can cause vibration in the pipes. High water pressure can happen at any time, but it is especially common in properties that rely on private wells.
Plumbing experts recommend checking the pressure at the tank regularly and making sure it’s not higher than 55 pounds/square inch. For homeowners who don’t have access to the right tools or have difficulty inspecting the water pressure, it is best to call a professional plumber to test the tank and eliminate water pipe humming noises.
Water Pipes Gurgling
Another common reason that pipes make noise when water is turned off is drainage. When there is a draining problem, the pipes start making a gurgling sound, which indicates a blockage in the plumbing system.
The obstruction in the pipes may occur due to built-up debris or an object that was washed down the pipe. You can clean the ducts by yourself, but if there is a lot of built-up dirt, it is better to call a professional drain cleaning service to take care of your pipes and eliminate the gurgling sound.
Water Pipes Whining or Squealing
The plumbing system depends on tiny parts to enable the valves and faucets to work correctly. Sooner or later, these components can wear out and cause squealing or whining noises.
When you hear a whistling water pipe noise when water is not running, you need to change a piece of hardware (usually in a washing machine, dishwasher, or dryer). If you notice squealing noises near your home appliances, have a professional plumber check that all the faucet components are working as they are supposed to
Water Pipes Rattling
Most pipes are located behind the ceilings, floors, or walls in your home. Others have to be hung high with special fasteners. As the water runs through the pipes, one of the fasteners may get loose and cause rattling sounds.
If it’s not easy to access your pipes, you may need to call a plumbing expert to secure the pipelines rather than trying to repair the damage by yourself.
How to Eliminate Noises in Water Pipes
Hearing a water pipe noise when water is not running is frustrating. Loose straps, a water hammer, or high water pressure can cause your pipes to squeal, gurgle, and clang.
To eliminate the noises in your pipes, follow the steps below:
- Lower the water temperature to keep your fasteners tight.
- Turn off the main water supply (when you first start to hear hammering sounds.)
- Allow the water to drain from the plumbing system and turn the water supply on.
- Flush out the air from the pipes.
If these tips can’t help you solve your problem, you need to get professional help to avoid further damage to your pipes.
Get Professional Plumbing Assistance
If you need a consultation, thorough pipe inspection, or a complete water system repair due to the problems above, a professional plumber can help.
MT Drains & Plumbing provides plumbing services to residential and commercial properties in the Vaughan and Greater Toronto area. Our knowledgeable professionals are ready to help you with any plumbing problem you currently face and eliminate strange noises coming from the water pipes.
Our plumbers are happy to provide routine maintenance to help home and business owners avoid future pipe blockages and prevent excessive wear of the plumbing system. With over 20 years of experience solving plumbing issues, you can count on us 24/7 to inspect and repair any damage to your water pipes.
The moment you hear a strange water pipe noise when water is not running, call us, and we will get your water supply back to normal.
