Humming. When your water pressure is too high for the system's capacity, it can leave your pipes vibrating. This vibration may result in a humming noise, especially when the water is running. Overly high water pressure can occur in any home, but is particularly common in homes that rely on well water.
Sometimes, shutting off the pump that distributes water to the affected area will eliminate the humming noise. If that's the case, the pump may have to be changed out for a different model or reset. In some instances, adding isolators and better stabilizing the pump works too (see rattling noises, below).
If your pipes sound like they're humming, it's likely a water pressure issue. When the water pressure is high, it can cause the water pipes to vibrate and create a humming sound. High water pressure is more common if you have a well for your water, but it can happen with municipal water as well.
We've all heard strange noises (bumps, creaks, clinks, and clanks) in our house at night. Most of these sounds can be safely ignored. But if you hear banging noises coming from your water pipes, listen up. They could indicate that you have a serious plumbing issue.
Pipes Making Noises at Seemingly Random Times
If you're hearing banging noises at random, even while no water is running, it's likely that there's some sediment buildup at the bottom of your water heater.
Spluttering taps, irregular flow and loud noises coming from your pipes can indicate the presence of air in your water lines. Air in water lines is not usually a serious problem for your plumbing system. However, if left unchecked, it can cause severe water-flow and noise issues in your home.
Air in water lines will likely sound like a hiss or pop(s) emanating from the pipes. The causes can range from the simple to the complex, with the source of the air varying depending on the situation.
Rattling: Your pipes are loose and not tightly secured. Banging: Your appliances are shutting off too quickly, causing a water hammer. Screeching: Your plumbing fixtures or faucets need to be replaced. Gurgling: Your drain lines or sewer lines are backing up.
More than just producing an annoying clamor, water hammer can actually damage the pipe connections and joints, resulting in water leaks and costly repairs. Worse, the noise may also indicate a larger problem, like excessive pressure in your water supply lines or loose piping.
The water pressure inside your system can lead to loud noises. If the pressure reducing valve is not working properly, high pressure can build up in the pipes, causing many loud noises. This is known as a water hammer. Replacing or repairing the pressure regulator system can stop these strange sounds.
Replace Old Pipe Mounts: When you run hot water through your pipes, they can start to expand, leading them to bang against your pipe mounts. If this is happening in your home, you can easily solve the problem by installing plastic pipe clamps that enable expansion without the loud moaning.
In many cases, the moving pipe is loose within its strap or U-clamp and is banging against the wall it's supposed to be secured to. To eliminate the noise, slit a piece of old garden hose or cut a patch of rubber and insert it behind the strap or clamp to fill in the gap.
After you turn off your mains water system and drain excess water from your residence, turning the water back on and running your faucets and house appliances that use water can remove air bubbles from the pipes.
If you've encountered these issues recently, you likely have air trapped in your water pipes. These air bubbles usually find their way to the highest points in your plumbing system, lower water pressure, and inhibit the flow of water through the pipes. Air in the water piping system can cause rust and corrosion.
Your pipes should be silent, so if they're rattling, whining, or making any other noise beyond the sound of water running through them when you turn on the tap, you probably have a problem. Either there's a leak or your bleed-off system isn't functioning correctly: either way, you need to call a professional.
If you hear sounds from inside the walls, a burst pipe is possible. Water sounds, in particular, point to burst pipes. Drip sounds usually indicate a leak, but rushing water sounds are likely from a burst. Check faucets before you attribute the sounds to a burst pipe.
Water pipes are not meant to be loud and noisy when used but unfortunately, some do rattle and make noises due to weather, clogs, loose fittings and a host of other factors. In general, the unwelcomed din from your pipes is usually caused by: Water Hammering.
Air in hot water lines normally comes from your hot water tank. Trapped air will be released when you use the hot water in any faucet inside your house. That water pressure seems to be affected but remember that the real problem is coming from your water heater, not your water supply.
Be sure to also flush any water out of your toilets. Turn the main water supply back on. With the faucets still set in the open position, turn the water supply back on at the main valve. Let the water run for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until you don't hear any more air sputters.
Flush ALL hot water taps for 15 minutes
Open ALL hot water sink fixtures, hot water bathtub or shower fixtures. Next, open all other hot water fixtures, such as in kitchens, wet bars, etc. Run all of these hot water fixtures for 15 minutes, then shut the water off.