It’s a positive thing that your plumbing is reliable. 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 noises 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 facing several issues.

Cause: Mineral Buildup

More than 90% of U.S. homes have hard water, which means it contains 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 add a water softener is the best way to fix this issue.

Cause: Old Pipes

Plumbing doesn’t work forever. If you have an older home, it’s important to 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 near the end of their life span and you’re dealing with leaks, rusty water or low water pressure, it may be time to have them replaced.

Cause: Water Pressure Is Too High

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

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

2. Plumbing is Gurgling

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

Cause: Plugged Drain

Your drain can either be partially or fully clogged. 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 through a snake or jetting.

Cause: Blocked Sewer Line

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

Things that can obstruct or plug this pipe includes tree roots searching for 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 stinky plumbing smells out of your home. If they get blocked, you’ll likely notice gurgling, experience slow draining or smell sewage. A plumber can help you get to the bottom of and resolve 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 probably too high. This can cause 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: Loose Pipe Clamp

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

Cause: High Water Pressure or Water Hammer

Less frequently, pipes can vibrate due to 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 probably dealing with issues related to gurgling plumbing.

Cause: Clogged or Incorrectly Vented Drain

Whether you’re dealing with a clogged or incorrectly vented drain, a plumber can take care of it.

Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC Can Resolve Your Odd Plumbing Sounds

No one wants to hear a loud or odd 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 noises you’re hearing in your home, contact at 715-318-6728 today. We’re here to help when you need a plumber in Ellsworth or neighboring areas.