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Why Are My Pipes Making Noise When I Turn the Water Off Or On? Common Causes And Solutions

We understand how bothersome it can be for you to listen to strange noises coming from your pipes during the day and especially at night. Just like you, there are many other homeowners who are facing these plumbing problems and wondering the cause behind their noisy waterworks. High water pressure (above 60 psi), water hammer, loose or uninsulated pipes, and air trapped in the plumbing system are the prime reasons behind such clamour.

Our team at Happy Dog Plumbing and Heating have decided to dive deep and identify the causes behind these unsettling sounds in your property’s waterworks. We have also crafted compatible solutions to silence them. Let’s begin!

Common Causes And Solutions Of Pipes Making Noise When Turning The Water On

Air Bubbles

Air trapped inside the pipes creates air pockets. When water passes through such pipes, water pressure around the bubbles or pockets increases, followed by a sudden drop in pressure. This high, low movement creates turbulence that generates irritating noises in pipes. Repair work, faulty valves or even natural air build-up are the prime reasons behind the development of air pockets in the plumbing system.

Possible solution:

  • Turn off the main water valve to prevent any air from entering the system.
  • Open all the taps and flush the toilets.
  • Gradually turn the main water supply on.
  • If no more uncommon sound is experienced, turn off the taps gradually.

Clogged Pipes

Grease, food debris, hair and flushable wipes are often the key culprits behind the clogging of pipes. Clogged pipes not only generate a gurgling or sucking sound but might also produce a pungent smell if ignored for a lengthy period. Therefore, you will either need to hire a professional to solve the issue or execute any of the solutions mentioned below to get a clear-flowing plumbing system.

Possible solution:

  • Rent an auger from a nearby hardware store to clear the pipes.
  • Make use of natural and enzymatic chemical drain cleaners to flush out the plumbing system. Although these chemicals will remove the hair, food debris, etc., you will require the use of foaming root killers or rock salt to get rid of tree roots that clog your pipes.

 

Drain Auger removing hair clog from dirty drain hole

High Water Pressure

When the water is forced to pass through pipes beyond the optimal level of 1 to 1.5 bar, the force exercised on the pipes causes them to vibrate. This vibration generates a banging sound that can lead to serious consequences if not taken care of at the right time.

Solution:

  • Install a water pressure regulator.
  • If you already have one, replace it if it is detected to be faulty.
  • If your boiler has a pressure metre and regulator pre-fitted, you only need to adjust the regulator. Refer to your manual.

Faulty Valves

Faulty valves in one part of a property that can sometimes cause unusual noises in plumbing fixtures elsewhere. For instance, you might notice a distinct sound when using a tap, often because another valve isn’t functioning correctly. One of the most common culprits is the ball valve in a toilet system. This valve uses an arm and a float mechanism: when you flush, the water level in the toilet tank drops, causing the float to lower and open the valve. As the tank refills, the float gradually rises until it reaches a certain level, at which point it closes the valve to stop the flow.

If this valve is malfunctioning, it can produce a noticeable noise. Each time the toilet refills after a flush, the faulty valve restricts water flow, creating a sound like air escaping from a balloon when it is squeezed. High-pressure water forces its way through a small opening, producing that characteristic squeaking or hissing sound.

This noise can also come from other sources, like a cold-water storage tank in the loft or even a dripping tap. In some cases, opening a tap in one area of the property can increase the pressure on a dripping tap elsewhere, causing it to vibrate or produce noise as water tries to push through the restricted opening.

Solution:

Contact a professional plumber in London to locate, identify and solve the malfunction. It may not always be an obvious or straightforward fix, so it is always best to enlist the help of a qualified plumber.

Copper Pipes Expanding

Today’s London plumbing systems still tend to house more copper than lead and steel, owing to its malleability and durability. In older properties that have not been updated, the plumbing will almost certainly still be copper rather than more updated materials like plastic PVC piping. Despite being sturdy, copper has an attribute that makes it expand or contract when the water flowing through it is hot or cold. When copper pipes expand with hot water, it can cause them to rub against the surrounding materials and produce clicking or tapping sounds.

Solution:

  • Foam rubber insulation on pipes to prevent the metals from rubbing against each other.
  • Reduce the temperature of the water flowing through pipes to minimise expansion.

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Common Causes And Solutions Of Pipes Making Noise When Turning The Water Off

For this simple upgrade, we replaced some old-style basin taps with a new Grohe basin lever tap with convenient flip waste and expert silicone seal.

Water Hammer

Water hammer is caused when there is a sudden pause in water flowing through pipes. This sudden interruption forces the water to slam hard against the valve, exercises excessive force on the pipes, and creates a banging or hammer stroke kind of noise.

Possible solution: Turn off your tap slowly and gradually. However, this solution is not practical nowadays because modern tap levers can be operated in just one step – on or off! Check out our detailed guide on how to resolve water hammer for more information.

Recent installation of a stylish new Bristan kitchen bridge tap with convenient pull-out spray

Loose Pipes Or Components

Maintracts Services’s Managing Director, Oliver Osmore says:

“Pipes are sometimes the cause of their problem, and it’s generally because of the tap connected to them. It could be that the pipe is fitted loosely within the floor and not supported properly, or it is under tension on the floor. For example, someone has put a copper pipe in, and it’s been underneath the floor between the joists or through the joists. For some reason, it’s sort of bent, and thus, the pipe itself is under tension.

Another situation could be when there is thermal movement. Let’s suppose the water has been running through the pipes for a long time at room temperature or at a temperature that is similar to what it is below your floor where the pipe is running. Now, if you open the tap and run cold water or hot water through that pipe, that pipe is going to want to move when it is heated up or cooled down. That will cause a vibration or a knocking sound as it could be possible that the pipe has been touching against another pipe or some other part of the fabric of the building, the floor or a wall.”

Possible solution:

Unlike traditional taps that require gradual turning to control water flow, modern lever-style taps operate with a simple, one-step on-off motion. This swift action creates a sudden stop in the water flow, causing water hammer, where the momentum of the moving water hits a sudden block, producing a knocking effect in the pipes. While many people are choosing to replace their old taps, traditional models have become harder to find, and unfortunately, modern taps tend to intensify this issue.

Thermal Expansion Of Copper Pipes

When cold water flows through recently heated copper pipes, the metal contacts, producing a melody of popping or clicking noises as it cools down.

Solution: Insulating the pipes to reduce fluctuations in temperature and minimise expansion or contraction sounds should do the trick.

High Water Pressure

High pressure can continue to create banging noises even after the water is off due to the continued vibration.  This should be remedied by installing or adjusting a water pressure regulator.

Types Of Noise Experienced In A Plumbing System

  • Whistling –the presence of excessive calcium and magnesium in hard water often clogs the pipes enough to reduce their opening size and generate a whistling sound. Too old pipes with leaks or unsatisfactory performance can also lead to noisy pipes. However, if the sound is caused by high water pressure, a pressure-reducing valve should be installed, as a solution.
  • Gurgling – gurgling sound is indicative of clogged pipes. It can either be a clogged drain, blocked sewer line, or sewer vent system with P-traps on your drains. They produce unwanted noise and unwanted smells, too.
  • Humming –humming noise is all because of the high-water pressure. You need to contact a plumber to help you set the pressure under desirable limits.
  • Vibrating – water hammer or unsecured pipe clamps create a vibrating noise. Loose pipes in the open can easily be tightened by yourself. However, if the pipes behind the wall have loose fittings, you need to call a plumber.
  • Banging –the water hammer or the banging sound is often heard when the tap is turned off or an appliance in use is turned off. The sound is because of the water hammer effect. High water pressure or loose pipe fittings are the cause of this hammering sound. An expansion tank can help resolve the issue.
  • Squealing –when you have partially closed valves or inappropriate water pressure, you will hear a squealing sound from your pipes. So, as a remedy, you need to check and adjust your water pressure and ensure that all the valves are fully open to allow proper flow of water.
  • Clicking or tapping – when copper pipes, for example, expand or contract because of the temperature variation of the flowing water, such sound is experienced. Insulating the pipes is the best solution in such a case.

Noisy water pipes can be annoying, but with appropriate guidance and solutions, you should be able to restore peace without too much hassle. Here at Happy Dog Plumbing and Heating our qualified team has the insight to customise every solution to your needs for an effective and long-lasting resolve.

So, don’t let these plumbing issues continue to disturb your daily life. Contact us today for all your plumbing concerns – and enjoy a quiet, comfortable home once again!