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

These noises involve:

  • 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 several issues.

Cause: Mineral Buildup

More than 90% of U.S. homes have hard water, which means it has excessive calcium and magnesium. These minerals can accumulate in your pipes and appliances, causing clogs and less efficient operation.

If you have issues with soap scum, clogged pipes or appliances wearing out quickly, you might be dealing with hard water. Having a plumber install a water softener is the best way to solve this issue.

Cause: Old 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 lifetime and you’re dealing with leaks, discolored water or insufficient water pressure, it may be time to have new ones installed.

Cause: High Water Pressure

This can be caused by your utility provider or problems with your water heater. A telltale indication of high water pressure is hearing banging in your pipes, especially after turning off a faucet.

If this is what’s causing the issue, 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 sign that you’re experiencing some sort of blockage or clog. Here are three of the most common kinds.

Cause: Clogged 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 goes up instead of draining, especially in multiple drains.

It can be enticing to use a liquid drain opener to correct the issue, but this can create more problems. These products are corrosive 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: Clogged Sewer Line

Your home has a sewer pipe that transports waste to the primary sewer line, usually located 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 obstruct or plug this pipe includes tree roots seeking water or by flushing bathroom products besides toilet paper. Whether you’re coping with tree roots or a plugged toilet, you’re going to need assistance from a professional plumber.

Cause: Blocked 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 blocked, 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 such as water leaks and damage to faucets and other fixtures. A plumber can help you control water pressure, which should be about 60–70 PSI.

4. Plumbing is Vibrating

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

Cause: Unsecured Pipe Clamp

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

Cause: High Water Pressure or Water Hammer

Less frequently, pipes can vibrate because of high water pressure or a water hammer, which happens when water that’s flowing fast runs into a closed valve. A plumber can identify and correct these issues.

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 take care of it.

I-Deal HVAC Can Resolve Your Odd Plumbing Noises

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 varies. If you have any questions about the sounds you’re hearing in your home, give us a call at 505-445-1250 today. We’re here to help when you need a plumber in Albuquerque or surrounding areas.