Common Plumbing Sounds and When to Schedule a Repair
You may push plumbing maintenance out of your mind until you begin hearing sounds emanating from your pipes. St. Louis plumbers know the importance of regular plumbing maintenance, and they urge homeowners to schedule plumbing repairs before more problems arise that create greater financial burdens on homeowners.
Rumbling
Plumbers associate rumbling sounds with water heater complications. The water within the heater may begin to boil and rumble if sediment accumulates at the bottom. Plumbers address this problem by draining some of the water in the bottom of the heater.
Banging
Banging often results from loose pipes or rapid water flow, so pipes should be secured in place. This sound may also be caused by high water pressure. Water pressure should stay around 50 PSI (pounds per square inch) and should not surpass 80 PSI. Plumbers advise homeowners to address high water pressure problems immediately because prolonged high water pressure can damage appliances.
Screeching, Whining, Thunking, or Rattling
If your plumbing begins to screech, whine, thunk, or rattle, you may have a water hammer, or hydraulic shock, on your hands. Water hammers occur when the direction of water suddenly shifts after an appliance, such as a dishwasher or toilet, is used. Water hammers can cause pipes to collapse. Plumbers fix water hammers by installing air chambers throughout plumbing systems, prohibiting water from changing direction when it nears the wall of a pipe. Your plumber might also install a water hammer arrestor, which attaches to the pipe and contains a shock absorber that can redirect the flow of water when faucets are shut off.
If your plumbing system starts making noises, you may be tempted to just wish the problem away, but the persistence of the sound is likely if the complication is not addressed. If you have a noisy plumbing system, contact a trusted St. Louis plumber from Hosack Plumbing, Heating & Cooling as soon as possible to prevent costly damage to your home and appliances.
