Noisy water pipes in your home – what should you do?

Sudden noises from the water pipes in your home can be disturbing and annoying. If you experience this problem in your property, you should deal with the situation as soon as possible. Not doing so can lead to the issue worsening. The good news is that there are some simple actions to take which can help you get rid of the noise coming from water pipes.

There are three main causes of noisy water pipes in the home. The most common is water hammer, which can lead to the development of another cause of noise, loose mounting brackets. You may also hear noise coming from water pipes if the water pressure is too high.

Noisy water pipes in your home – what should you do?

Solving the problem of water hammer

Water hammer occurs when water is flowing freely down a pipe and it’s suddenly stopped in its tracks by a valve being closed off. This can happen when a toilet stops filling, or when valves to appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, are closed.

Many modern homes are built with water hammer arrestors installed. These act as shock absorbers and divert the force of the water when a valve is closed off. In these homes water hammer is rare, but it can occur if a water hammer arrestor fails. If this happens in your home, you should call a Sydney plumber, to have the arrestor replaced.

Older homes often have air chambers built-in. These are short pipes which are positioned alongside water pipes at the locations where water hammer is most likely to occur. They are filled with air which acts as a cushion against the water when a valve is shut.

If you have air chambers in your home they may need to replenish the air in them. If you hear noises from the water pipes, just switch off the water supply valve for your home. then turn on the highest tap in your property and the lowest tap. As the water drains from the system it fills with air. Once all of the water has drained away, switch off the lowest tap and turn the water supply back on. The water pushes the air out of the system, but it stays in the air chambers.

Dealing with loose mounting brackets

Mounting brackets help to keep water pipe systems in place and secure. If the brackets become loose, the pipe can shake as the water travels along it. This causes a noise to occur. Water hammer is one of the main causes of loose mounting brackets, so if you have dealt with a water hammer problem, you should check that all of the brackets in your home are secure. It’s usually possible to simply tighten a loose bracket, but you may also find that you need to replace damaged or worn brackets, to solve the noise problem.

Reducing the water pressure in your home

If the water pressure in your home is too high, this can result in noise coming from the water pipes. High water pressure can also damage appliances such as washing machines. You may find that you have a water pressure regulator in your property. These regulators are normally fitted at the point where the water supply enters a property.

If you do not already have a regulator fitted in your home, you should consider investing in one. They are not cheap; you could end up paying several hundred dollars. But, you could end up saving yourself from problems in the future.

All of these issues can result in noise being emitted from the water pipes in your home. You can deal with some of the problems yourself, but jobs like the fitting of a water pressure regulator are complicated, and should always be done by a professional plumber.

Featured Article