Rattling Pipes: What Is My Home’s Plumbing Trying to Tell Me?

When you turn on the water in your home and hear a clunk, bang, or hammering sound, it could be an indication of rattling pipes or other plumbing-related issues that need further investigation. Ignoring the noise and problem won’t make it disappear, and depending on the cause, the situation could worsen. The last thing you want is to wake up in the middle of the night to loud plumbing noises or find yourself standing on a wet, flooded floor while using the bathroom. So, it’s best to address the issue as soon as possible to avoid any potential disasters.

Common Causes Behind Rattling Pipes

Here are some common causes of noisy pipes and what you can do to resolve the problem:

1. Different Types of Noises. The types of noises you hear inside your walls depend on the type of plumbing materials used in your home. Copper and metal pipes will tend to be much noisier compared to PEX, PVC, and CPVC pipes.
2. Water Pressure Problems. High water pressure inside your home can create different types of noises because the pipes are vibrating. Banging and rattling are two of the more common noises associated with high water pressure.
3. Loose Plumbing Pipes. If the plumbing pipes inside your walls, flooring, or ceiling in between floors were not properly secured during construction, they can bang, rattle, and hammer.
4. Obstructions in the Drain Pipes: Gurgling sounds are quite common in drain pipes. Gurgling means there is some form of obstruction developing inside the drain line.
5. Water Hammering. Water hammering is a type of noise water will make when its flow is abruptly stopped inside the plumbing lines.
6. Hot Water Heater Failing. If you have a tank-based hot water heater in your home, there are several different noises you might notice when near the tank or running hot water. Snapping, cracking, and popping are all typical noises you will hear inside the tank.

It is important to try to identify the noise to troubleshoot and diagnose the actual plumbing issue. Not sure what is causing the noise, or you need to know how to fix the problem? You should call a local plumbing company for assistance.