There are a few things that may cause the pipes in your home to start making loud noises and unwanted vibrations. You may hear hissing, knocking, gurgling, or even a sudden slamming when turning on or off a faucet or appliance. These are most likely symptoms of three common problems; loose pipes, overly high water pressure, or something that is called “water hammer.” More on that later.
Loose pipes and vibrating pipes can cause a lot of noises in your home and some homeowners may find themselves asking “is it normal for pipes to make noise?” If the culprit of the noise is loose pipes, they can be rectified by having them secured properly so that they do not bang against a support beam or another pipe which can create shockwaves in the water within the pipework. Pipes should be secured with hangers, clamps, clips, brackets against support beams and silicone pipes through timber – we would recommend that this work is completed by a Journeyman plumber to ensure the pipes are properly supported and not squeezed too tightly, poked or damaged while bracing. In some cases an extra layer of wrapping around the pipe creates cushion and prevents the actual pipe itself from getting tapped. And sometimes it’s not just loose pipes that make the noise but the slack from a worn and aging valve that can be knocked by the shockwaves in the water system. Gurgling sounds can also occur and happen when your plumbing system is draining excess water or waste but a pipe is partially clogged and the water cannot escape as easily as it should.
One way water wammer occurs in a piping system where valves are used to control the flow of water. Many of these valves, also called solenoids, can be found in appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, humidifiers, and faucets. When valves close or stop rapidly, the sudden change can create a pressure wave. This wave rebounds from the closed port and travels back up the pipe making a loud and hard knocking sound. Water hammer has the potential to damage joints, fittings, seals, and over time will ultimately result in leaky pipes. Leaky pipes, if gone unnoticed, can lead to ruptures and expensive repair bills.
High Water Pressure can also be a cause of noises you are hearing in your home. Water pressure should range from 40 to 75 PSI (pounds per square inch) in most homes. If a plumber is testing at levels that exceed this he may recommend a pressure reducing valve installed on the main line of your water system.
There are also some other solutions for your plumber to consider. In some systems pipes are installed to rise above the tee in order to trap air so that water does not hammer when turned on or off. There is also something called a water hammer arrestor which is usually a great long term solution. While there is an initial cost of labour and parts to install water hammer arrestors do not require regular maintenance. The arrestor has many chambers and acts like a mini expansion vessel, giving the pressurised water somewhere to go.
We have also been asked by customers “Do pipes make noise before they burst?” this question is similar to the age old question – when in a forest if a tree falls and no one is around does it make a noise? While we cannot say with certainty that every burst pipe makes a noise before bursting, when plastic, copper or any piping would open under pressure or burst there would have to be some level of sound. The level of noise would most likely depend on the severity of the burst but we would say in general terms that if your pipes are making noise it is a good idea to have a plumbing company in Calgary
come investigate the cause before it becomes more than just a noise.
