Applying foam insulation around the pipes creates a buffer that minimizes the noise resulting from expansion and contraction. This insulation not only muffles the sounds but also serves as an energy-efficient measure by preventing heat loss, making your plumbing system quieter and more economical.
One of the most common causes of noisy plumbing is trapped air. For example, trapped air can cause strange vibrating noises or a worrisome jack-hammer sound – one that often leads to a phone call to the plumber!
Securing loose pipes, checking your home's water pressure, and scheduling regular plumbing maintenance are straightforward actions that can make a big difference. These preventive measures can go a long way in reducing the risk of water hammer, helping to keep your plumbing system quiet and in good working order.
Maybe a large sponge, or foam block, over the opening would let water down, and block much of the sound. Perhaps it could be carved to have a bit of a plug shape, so some of it sticks into the drain.
If you are ready to soundproof your water pipes, you have two main options. You can either wrap the pipes with noise blocking materials or fill the cavities around the pipes with sound absorption products. Using both noise blocking and sound absorption materials can eliminate the sounds of pipes in your home.
If there's a partial clog in the P-trap, it will disrupt the water flow and could cause a gurgling sound. In some cases, you can remove the P-trap and easily remove any blockage, or you may have to use a plumber's snake through the sink drain.
To fix waterlogged air chambers, the air needs to be resupplied to the chambers. This can be done by turning off the water supply coming into your property at your stop valve, normally found under your kitchen sink. Once you have done this, turn on all the taps to drain any remaining water from the system.
Simply unscrew the aerator and run the tap. If the noise is gone, purchase a new, clean aerator, screw it on the tap, and you should be good to go. Install New Washers: Worn out or incorrectly sized washers are a common cause of tap noises. To replace the old washer, turn off the water supply and take your tap apart.
Excessive or irregular water sounds may indicate potential issues within your plumbing system. Gurgling, hissing, or constant water flow noises when no fixtures are in use could be a sign of a leak, water pressure problems, or issues with the water supply line.
Can noisy pipes burst? Yes. This is especially true if the noise is caused by high water pressure or loose pipes. If you hear your water pipes making noise, it is important to deal with that immediately.
Suspect this if the groaning occurs after a toilet is flushed. The noise occurs as the toilet tank is being refilled. The remedy is to replace the valve, which is located at the left inside the toilet tank.
Average Flat Rate
Some plumbing jobs are billed at a flat rate. As of 2025, the average plumber rates for larger repairs are typically between $500 to $800, while smaller jobs like repairing toilets, sinks, faucets, or bathtubs typically range from $125 to $350.
If you hear clunking, rattling, or vibrating from your noisy water pipes, it could simply be that your pipes aren't fitted correctly. It could be the case that they never were fitted properly, or they've come loose over time. Either way, they need to be fixed.
The easy fix for high-pitched plumbing noises is lowering the water pressure to an appropriate level. Residential water supply lines work best around 50 psi at the water-main. If the water pressure in your home is suddenly higher than it used to be, your pressure reducing valve may be work out or broken.
The best approach for soundproofing water pipes is to wrap the pipes with a pipe lagging material to block sound (not absorb it). Pipe lagging works best by creating a heavy, airtight, sound-isolating wall around your pipe.
The aerator
A super-easy way to see if your aerator is the problem is to remove it – unscrew it – and turn your tap on. If it is quiet, you've found the cause of all the noise and it will require replacement. Take your aerator to your local hardware store and you can likely find a replacement or something similar.
This is an easy plumbing repair, so it's the first thing you should check. Simply unscrew the aerator and run the faucet. If the noise is gone, purchase a new, clean aerator, screw it on the faucet, and you should be good to go.
Tighten or Add Pipe Straps: As time goes by, your pipe straps will inevitably loosen, allowing pipes to creak and moan as your water temperature fluctuates. Combat the creaks by either adding additional straps or tightening the existing ones to keep pipes secure.
Air in water pipes will sound like a hiss or pop. Alternatively, the trapped air can cause loud gurgling and prolonged vibrating noises. Other sounds are loud noises and bangs emanating from the pipes; this clearly indicates air traveling in the pipes.
Regular drain cleaning with a simple mixture of baking soda, hot water, and vinegar can work wonders in keeping clogs at bay and preventing future gurgling sounds.
In the course of the day, it's common to hear the light whooshing of water moving through the pipes when you turn on the tap, the shower or an appliance. Sometimes, pipes that bang or clatter when you turn on a faucet is not unusual; however, this plumbing noise can also mean problems with water pressure.
This can be achieved by putting a scrubber sponge, a square of artificial turf, a section of shingle or a foam downspout insert into the bottom of the downspout opening. Employ rope or downspout chains. This utilizes a different concept: getting water to move down an object situated inside the length of the downspout.