HomeProPlumber
This Article Discusses The Causes Of Common Water Pipes Noises. HomeProPlumber provides full service plumbing maintenance, repairs and replacements for every plumbing component in your home. We sell & install Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters. We are near your home in Plano, Allen, Frisco, and McKinney Texas. Homes in southern Collin and Denton Counties incur no additional travel-charges. HomeProPlumber in Plano, Texas also provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps. Additionally we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).
Call us today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing. We will arrange an appointment at your convenience and offer 24/7 Emergency Service.
NOTE: The Plumbing Components Shown In This Article Are Typical Of What Is Installed In Home Across The U.S.
This Article Is Written For Homes In The Dallas / Ft. Worth Area.
The Locations Of Some Components Varies In Other Areas Of the U.S.
Whistling, Squealing or Banging Water Pipes Noises — Causes & Cures
Plus Other Common Water Pipes Noises
The normal sound of water running through a pipe can’t be prevented. However, other noises (whistling, rattling, creaks, tapping, or loud banging noises) the water flow has been affected by one of several factors.
Common Water Pipes Noises And How To Fix Them
Whistling or squealing water pipe noises often result from water being forced through a smaller opening than the plumbing components were designed for.
This is often due to:
- water pressure too high
- wear & tear on plumbing components
- water mineral build-up resulting in smaller openings
- other types of degradation
SQUEALING / WHISTLING
Water Pipes Noises Are Typically Related To Water Pressure And / Or Flow Velocity.
The higher the water water pressure or velocity (speed of water flow) the more likely the pipes are to whistle or squeal. The noise can sometimes be reduced or eliminated by reducing water pressure OR water flow rate. Normal water pressure coming into a home is 45- 55 Pounds Per Square Inch (psi). Water pressure should not exceed 60 psi. Your home’s water supply lines were designed to work best at around 50 psi water pressure at the location where water enters the house (the water-main line). Beyond that, individual lines have lower water pressure. The water main-line pressure is high enough to ensure several water sources can be flowing at the same time with adequate pressure for each.
You Can Do A Simple Test To See If Water Pressure Is Contributing To Squeals or Whistles : If the noise is at a faucet or toilet where a wall shut-off valve exists, partially close the wall shut-off valve to see if the noise goes away.
NOTE: You may not be able to turn the handle, over time, water-shut offs can corrode. Forcing them can damage the shut-off and cause it to leak. If the shut-off does not turn under normal pressure from your hand,don’t force it.
Image Source: Flicker
Shown: Toilet Shut Off Valve Shown On The Left Side Of Toilet
Test Water Pressure With A Gauge That Screws Onto An Outside Faucet
Click Here To See A YouTube Video Discussing Screw-On Water Pressure Gauge: YouTube Screw-On Water Pressure Gauge
Shown: Water Pressure Gauge That Screws Onto Outside Faucet
Water Pressure Reducing Valve
It’s Preset To 50 Pounds Per Inch (PSI) — It Can Be Adjusted From 25 – 75 PSI By Turning The Screw
Click Here To See A YoutTube Video About Water Pressure Reducing Valve: YouTube.com Water Pressure Reducing Valve
NOTE: New residential plumbing codes typically require a pressure reducing valve be installed when the home is built. Depending on your home’s age, a water pressure reducing valve may or may not exist. Because of its distinctive “up-side-down ice cream cone” appearance, a water pressure reducing valve is easily identified.
Where To Find The Water Pressure Reducing-Valve In DFW Homes (If One Is Installed)
Click On Photo To: See, View Details, or Purchase It Valve From Amazon.com.
The Water Pressure Reducing-Valve is located on the homeowner’s side of the water meter.
It may be located inside the (underground) box:
- Where the water meter is.
- Where the home’s main water is.
- These boxes almost always have a green , removable lid.
In DFW slab homes, there is no access to the water inlet from inside the house — the water shut-off is outside. If there is no pressure reducing valve in either box, the home likely does not have one. Pressure-reducing valves were not always required by Building Code.
Click On Photo To: See, View Details, or Purchase It From Amazon.com.
An Older Pressure Reducing Valve May No Longer Work
An older Pressure Reducing Valve may have failed due to wear & tear, or mineral deposits build-up (from the water). If you see mineral deposits on your shower heads and faucets, you likely have mineral deposit build ups inside other areas of your plumbing.
Image Source: Dreamstime ID 113255050
Shown: Shower Head Clogged With Mineral Deposits
Other Factors That Contribute To Whistling / Squealing Water Pipes Noises
If the water pressure in your home is normal (around 50 psi) and you have squealing pipes, there are likely other factors causing the squeal. In faucets and valves, squealing can be caused by a worn out washer in a shut off valve.
- Squealing may be due to wear & tear of a shut off valve’s rubber washers, or the valve’s seat may be worn (area just below the black rubber washer / seal) This can be at the wall shut off valve or the faucet itself.
- It could also be due to mineral build up. Any of these problems can create reduced water-flow below what the faucet was designed for — resulting in a squeal.
NOTE: Over the years, Building Code was changed to require lever shut off valves instead of round handle versions. This is because the round handle shut off valves are more prone to failure. Their design requires them to move downward as they close. Mineral deposits often build up, rendering the valve unable to close.
OLD STYLE (ROUND HANDLE) WATER SHUT OFF VALVE
Image Source: Dreamstime ID 118503423
Shown: Old Style (Round) Water Shut Off Valve Below
CURRENT STYLE (LEVER HANDLE) BALL VALVE WITH 1/4-TURN OPERATION
Image Source: Dreamstime ID 61174911
Shown: Today’s Current Lever-Style Water Ball alve With 1/4-Turn Operation
Today’s lever valves turn to the right or left when opening / closing. This allows them to deal with mineral deposits much better, often they can clear small amounts of mineral deposits as they are turned on or off.
NOTE: Many Municipalities Require An Old Style Style Shut Off Valve Be Replaced With Lever-Style When New Work Is Done On Plumbing (such as water heater replacement).
SQUEALING Can Also Be Caused By A Clogged Faucet Aerator
Image Source: Dreamstime ID 94737840
Shown: Faucet Aerator Clogged With Mineral Deposits
WATER HAMMER Water Pipes Noises
Water pipe noises that sound like a bang when you turn off a faucet are Water Hammer. It’s caused when water is rushing through the pipe and the faucet is turned off, bringing the water flow to an abrupt halt. This can rattle the water pipes, or make a loud band.
Typically there air chambers (water hammer arresters) connected to the pipe (inside the wall) behind faucets. These air chambers allow a place for water to go when the faucet is turned off. The water will briefly push up into the air chamber where it hits a cushion of air. This prevents the water force from causing the pipes to rattle or bang. Over the years, hammering may develop due to water hammer arrester failure.
BUILT-IN (SOLDERED IN PLACE) WATER HAMMER ARRESTER (INSIDE WALL)
When new homes are built, water hammer arresters are added to the plumbing inside the walls near each water outlet (faucets, toilets,etc.). Over the years, some arresters may fail and lose the air inside them. These devices are inside the walls and cannot be seen. Some screw into a fitting, others are soldered in.
Click On Photo To: See, View Details, or Purchase It From Amazon.com.
Water Hammer At Toilet
Another common water pipes noises is from toilet(s). If you hear a bang or rattle at the end of the tank’s fill cycle, it is likely a worn Fill Valve (also called ballcock assembly). This component is responsible for refilling the tank after each flush.
YOU CAN STOP WATER HAMMER FROM TOILET WITH A DEDICATED HAMMER ARRESTOR FOR TOILET
Click On Photo To: See, View Details, or Purchase It From Amazon.com.
Fedicated water hammer arrester for a toilet can be installed DIY. Many are designed to screw onto the threads from the wall shut off valve. The other end is designed so the water line (for the toilet) to connect to it. This eliminates modifying the existing plumbing, and the arrester is mostly out of sight from above.
TAPPING / TICKING Water Pipes Noises
These sounds are typically due to expansion & contraction of the water pipes. Hot water heats the pipe causing it to expand. Once the water stops flowing, the pipe cools and the metal contracts. During water pipe expansion or contraction, you may hear tapping or ticking. The source is often where the hot water pipe runs through wood IF the pipe is going through a hole where it fits tightly.
If The Noisy Pipe Is Running Through Wood (Inside A Tightly Fitting Hole)
This is often the location of the noise. If you can enlarge the size of the hole, that may stop the ticking (if that is the location of the problem). If you are not able to enlarge the hole, you may be able to reduce or eliminate the noise by spraying around the hole with Food-Grade Machine Oil Spray.
Click On Photo To: See, View Details, or Purchase This Food Grade Machine Oil Spray From Amazon.com.
While first application(s) may soak into the wood, several applications may eventually get enough product on the wood to saturate it. We recommend food-grade oil to minimize or eliminate toxic products sprayed inside your home. This product is described as “NSF H1 registered for incidental food contact”.
MINIMIZE WATER PIPES NOISES With Foam Pipe Insulation
If you can’t find the exact location of the tapping / ticking, perhaps the next best way to minimize the ticking / tapping noise it is to put foam insulation around the pipe. This noise typically comes from hot water pipes expanding & contracting. Insulating them will allow them to cool off more slowly, minimizing the rapid noise once water is turned off. Unless that water pipe is used quite frequently, you will still hear the noise as the pipes heat up — though the noise may be quieter due to the insulation.
Click On Image To: View Product, See Details, or Purchase From Amazon. com
NOTES:
- Water pipes and foam insulation come in different diameters. Measure the width of the pipe to get the correct size foam insulation.
- Foam insulation is pre-cut. All you need to do is push it into place with the pipe aligning to the slit in the insulation.
- The insulation will open up a bit and then wrap itself around the pipe.
Pipe Rattling While Water Is Running
This type of water pipes noises is caused by rattling comes of a loosely attached pipe. This allows a water pipe to vibrate or rattle while water is running. When a loose pipe vibrates against something solid you, will hear a rattle while water is flowing. This is mostly with metal water pipes. Most newer homes have PEX (vinyl) water pipes.
- Secure The Pipe Tightly At The Location Of The Rattle.
- If You Can’t Find The Location Of The Rattle, Add Foam Pipe Insulation Where Pipes Are Exposed. This will reduce the noise because the foam absorbs both noise and some of the movement causing the rattling.
NOTE: If you add water pipe fastening devices, check to be sure they are compatible with the type of water pipes your home has. Many different types of pipes require special types of fasteners. 
Click On Photo To: See Product, View Details, or Purchase It From Amazon.com.
This Fastener Is For Copper Pipes. 
This Fastener Is For Many Types Of Flexible Plastic Water Lines.
To stop pipe rattling put some foam water pipe insulation cushioning around the pipe OR fasten the strapping more securely. NOTE: If you add water pipe fastening devices, check to be sure they are compatible with the type of water pipes your home has. Many different types of pipes require special types of fasteners.
HomeProPlumber
This Article Discussed What Causes Common Water Pipe Noises. HomeProPlumber provides full service plumbing maintenance, repairs and replacements for every plumbing component in your home. We sell & install Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters. We are near your home in Richardson, Garland, and northeast Dallas, Texas. Homes in southern Collin and Denton Counties incur no additional travel-charges.
HomeProPlumber in Plano, Texas also provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps. Additionally we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).
Call us today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing. We will arrange an appointment at your convenience and offer 24/7 Emergency Service.