Common Plumbing Noises And What They Mean
When your plumbing is running smoothly, chances are you take it for granted that you can turn on the shower every morning or wash the dirty dishes at night. Once your plumbing begins making strange noises, it can be difficult to diagnose them yourself, especially if you don't have any plumbing experience. Luckily, when it comes to most noises, it's actually quite easy to pinpoint the problem. Here are a few common plumbing noises and what they mean:
Hissing Sound Coming from the Sink
If you hear a distinct hissing noise every time you turn on the faucet, chances are your issue is with the home's water pressure. When your water pressure is too high, it can actually cause serious damage to your plumbing. Too much water pressure can also hurt you in another way: your pocketbook. This is because you're utilizing more water than you need, which will run up your bill.
Contact your local water company to have your water pressure tested. If this is the culprit, Inspectapedia recommends contacting a plumber to have a pressure regulator installed on the main water line to your home. The regulator will help control the pressure of the water as it enters your pipes, which can help prevent damage to the system and save you big money on your monthly water bill.
Clanging or Whistling from the Showerhead
Nothing is more comforting than a warm shower in the morning. Unfortunately, all of that serenity can be ruined if you hear a strange clanging or whistling coming from the showerhead. Luckily, there is a simple reason why this is occurring: your showerhead is dirty.
To clean your showerhead, remove it and place it into a basin with a mixture of lukewarm water, white vinegar and baking soda. Allow the showerhead to soak for a few minutes before lifting it out of the water and scrubbing away any soap scum with an old toothbrush.
If the problem persists, you may need to install a new unit. A low flow showerhead is a great option because it will provide you with adequate water pressure while saving your money on your monthly water bills.
Knocking Noise Coming from the Water Heater
A strange knocking or clanging noise coming from your hot water heater is most likely caused by sediment build up. When hard water enters your hot water heater, the minerals found inside the liquid can settle on the bottom of the unit. Over time, the minerals will collect, which leads to the strange knocking noise.
The best way to solve this solution is to have your water heater flushed by a professional plumber. The entire process is very inexpensive, and having the unit flushed yearly can put an end to the strange noise and extend the life of your hot water heater.
Banging Noise Behind the Walls When You Turn on the Faucet
Finally, if you hear a banging noise coming from behind the walls whenever you turn on any faucet or spigot in your home, the issue could be improperly secured pipes. If your pipes are loose inside the walls, the water that is rushing through them can cause them to shake, which is turn can lead to an almost rhythmic series of banging noises.
The best way to put an end to this common issue is to have your plumbing inspected by a professional. Any easily-accessible and exposed pipes can easily be secured with plastic fittings. However, if the problem is more extensive, it could be more time consuming and costly to fix the issue throughout your home.
From a whistling noise coming from your sinks to a banging behind the walls when you turn on the faucet, there are several strange and common sounds that can impact your home's plumbing. VIisit websites like http://www.cblucashvac.com for more information.
