4 Reasons Your Pipes are Making a Banging Sound
Loud pipes can be obnoxious, especially if you’re uncertain why they are making so much noise! On top of being irritating, banging sounds coming from your pipes can be signs of underlying plumbing problems. Whether the issue arises from construction issues, a faulty valve, water pressure, or sediment buildup, banging pipes are nothing to ignore and should be evaluated by a licensed plumber.
While the exact cause of your loud pipes is largely dependent on your specific situation, four common culprits typically come into play. Here, we will give a brief overview of the potential source of the problem, along with possible solutions.
4 common causes of banging pipes
1. Construction issues. Let’s start at the very beginning. If your home’s plumbing contains CPVC water lines, you likely hear creaking or clicking noises when water is being run. This happens because CPVC lines expand when hot water flows through them, causing the pipes to fit too snugly in their surrounding spaces. In this scenario, the creaking or clicking you hear is probably not coming from the pipes themselves but the structures surrounding them.
How to fix this issue: You will likely need to expand the holes the pipes are being run through. By giving the CPVC lines more room to expand as needed, you will eliminate the noise.
2. Water hammering. If you’ve never heard of this term, consider yourself lucky! As you could probably guess, water hammering is when water makes a hammering sound as it passes through your pipes. This phenomenon happens when a water valve is suddenly shut off, causing water to crash into the closed valve. The result is a loud knocking (or “hammering”) noise nearly impossible to ignore.
How to fix this issue: There are a few things you can do to stop water hammering. One rather simple solution is to install a water hammer arrestor, which is attached between your water supply line and shut-off valve. You can also try reducing water pressure, tightening any loose water supply lines, and cushion your pipes with pipe insulation to try to reduce the noise.
3. Water pressure. As we hinted at above, water pressure set too high can lead to banging sounds in your pipes. Most professional plumbers recommend keeping your home’s water pressure set between 60-70 psi.
How to fix this issue: Simply adjust your water pressure settings by turning off the main water supply to your house and then turning the water pressure regulator either left (for less pressure) or right (for more).
4. Sediment buildup. If your pipes are aging, corroding, or just in need of a good cleaning, it can lead to noisier than necessary plumbing.
How to fix this issue: Depending on the material of your water lines, you might need professional assistance in cleaning them out without causing more damage.
Have a plumber fix your banging pipes
Still unsure of the cause of the commotion within your pipes? Contact the best plumbing company in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio at Ohio Buckeye Plumbing. We’ll take a look at your pipes and determine the issue – and more importantly, the best solution. Dial (440) 283-9377 to schedule an appointment today.