It’s a positive thing that your plumbing is dependable. When your plumbing is making sounds or is loud, you might begin to worry. While some sounds are normal, others aren’t. We’ll walk you through five common sounds and how to resolve them.

These noises include:

  • Plumbing is whistling
  • Plumbing is gurgling
  • Plumbing is humming
  • Plumbing is vibrating
  • Plumbing is bubbling

1. Plumbing is Whistling

If your plumbing is whistling, you could be dealing with a couple of issues.

Cause: Mineral Buildup

More than 90% of U.S. homes have hard water, which means it has too much calcium and magnesium. These minerals can build up in your pipes and appliances, creating clogs and less efficient operation.

If you struggle with soap scum, clogged pipes or appliances deteriorating quickly, you might be dealing with hard water. Having a plumber install a water softener is the best way to fix this issue.

Cause: Aging Pipes

Plumbing doesn’t work forever. If you have an older home, you should know what pipe material you have and how long it lasts.

  • Brass: up to 100 years
  • Copper: up to 80 years
  • PVC: up to 45 years

If your pipes are close to the end of their life span and you’re faced with leaks, rusty water or insufficient water pressure, it may be time to have them replaced.

Cause: High Water Pressure

This can be caused by your water supplier or problems with your water heater. A telltale indication of high water pressure is hearing slamming in your pipes, particularly after shutting off a faucet.

If this is what’s creating the problem, a plumber can inspect and replace your home’s pressure-reducing valve as necessary.

2. Plumbing is Gurgling

Gurgling isn’t a good noise. It’s usually a symptom that you’re dealing with some sort of blockage or clog. Here are three of the most common types.

Cause: Plugged Drain

Your drain can either be partially or fully blocked. Here’s the difference:

  • Partial clog—water drains more slowly than normal.
  • Full clog—water rises instead of draining, especially in multiple drains.

It can be enticing to use a liquid drain opener to correct the issue, but this can cause more problems. These products are harsh and can eat away at your pipes. It’s always recommended to have a plumber unblock your pipes, either via a snake or jetting.

Cause: Blocked Sewer Line

Your home has a sewer pipe that carries waste to the main sewer line, usually situated in your yard or in the street. If this pipe gets plugged, you will likely be dealing with backup in your basement.

Things that can block or plug this pipe includes tree roots seeking water or by flushing bathroom products besides toilet paper. Whether you’re dealing with tree roots or a clogged toilet, you’re going to need assistance from a professional plumber.

Cause: Plugged Sewer Vent or P-Trap

The sewer vent system and P-traps on your drains keep icky plumbing smells out of your home. If they get clogged, you’ll likely hear gurgling, experience slow draining or smell sewage. A plumber can help you get to the bottom of and solve this smelly problem.

3. Plumbing is Humming

If your plumbing is humming, you’re not just dealing with an annoying sound.

Cause: High Water Pressure

Humming means your home’s water pressure is likely too high. This can create problems like water leaks and damage to faucets and other fixtures. A plumber can help you regulate water pressure, which should be about 60–70 PSI.

4. Plumbing is Vibrating

If your plumbing is vibrating, three problems could be creating this sound.

Cause: Unsecured Pipe Clamp

The most common cause of vibrating plumbing is a loose pipe clamp. This hardware keeps pipes in place when water is flowing through them. If the loose pipe is below a sink, you might be able to correct this issue yourself. If it’s behind a wall, it’s best to call a plumber.

Cause: High Water Pressure or Water Hammer

Less frequently, pipes can vibrate due to high water pressure or a water hammer, which occurs when water that’s flowing fast runs into a closed valve. A plumber can diagnose and fix these problems.

5. Plumbing is Bubbling

If your plumbing is bubbling, you’re likely dealing with problems related to gurgling plumbing.

Cause: Clogged or Incorrectly Vented Drain

Whether you’re dealing with a blocked or incorrectly vented drain, a plumber can fix it.

Tri County Climate Control LLC Can Solve Your Odd Plumbing Sounds

Nobody wants to hear a loud or strange noise coming from their plumbing. There are lots of different noises that can be heard from your pipes and what they mean may differs. If you have any questions about the noises you’re hearing in your home, contact at 541-238-2797 today. We’re here to help when you need a plumber in Bend or neighboring areas.