Don’t Be Afraid of Plumbing That Goes Bump in the Night

Strange Sounds That Indicate Plumbing Problems Are Lurking in a Home

The fall season is the perfect time for homeowners to take an interest in their plumbing. Heavy rain, changes in temperature, and potentially freezing pipes can wreak havoc on a plumbing system. With Halloween offering plenty of scares, plumbing shouldn’t be one of them. Paying attention to the spooky sounds that plumbing makes can give homeowners a good idea of problems that may be occurring within their pipes and appliances.

Dripping Fixtures

One of the most pernicious sounds that a homeowner can hear is the sound of constant steady dripping. While dripping noises are definitely annoying, they can also indicate something downright harmful. Drips can occur at any point in a plumbing system. The most common place for a drip is in a leaking faucet, which is lucky because these leaks do the least amount of damage.

Leaks that can be heard but not seen are by far the most damaging. Invisible leaks can cause extensive damage. The moisture build-up that occurs at the site of a leak can rot wood, buckle floors, cultivate mold growth, and even damage foundations. Apart from the damage that a leak can do, they also waste water and cause spikes in utility bills.

Knocking Pipes

Knocking is another common, creepy sound that is heard in plumbing. Knocking can occur in hot and cold water pipes whether water is flowing through them or not. The most common source of knocking water pipes is a phenomenon called “water hammer.” Water hammer occurs when the flow of water through a pipe is abruptly stopped. The momentum of the flowing water is dispersed through the piping by causing the pipe to shake.

Water hammer can be so serious that it can cause pipes to burst or dislodge from their mounts. Most homes are equipped with special devices to prevent water hammer. These devices have an air pocket that cushions water when valves are closed to reduce the effects of water hammer.

Another cause of knocking in pipes is turbulent water flow, and expansion of hot water lines as hot water flows through them. Cold water lines are generally subject to noise from turbulent water and turning down water pressure can usually fix the situation. If water lines are making noise from expansion from hot water, there isn’t much that can be done. It is an indication that the pipes were plumbed in too tight of a space. Fortunately, these noises are harmless.

Gurgling Drains

Gurgling is the sound a drain makes when it is asking for help. A free-flowing drain shouldn’t make any noise at all. As drains begin to clog, they will start to make noise. Gurgling drains can occur in sinks, tubs, and toilets. Preventing drain clogs is as simple as practicing good habits about what goes down a drain. Food grease and scraps should be discarded in the garbage and only toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet.

Periodic routine drain cleaning can keep slow drains from becoming completely clogged and prevent the need for expensive plumbing repair.

About Hall’s Plumbing

Hall’s Plumbing has been serving the Woodland area since 1995. This family-owned and operated business focuses on providing clear and transparent plumbing services to its customers. Flat-rate and budget-friendly pricing keep their customers coming back repeatedly. Contact them today for dependable plumbing services in Woodland, CA!