When pipes are noisy and make a lot of unusual sounds, homeowners tend to get worried about the source of the sound. When it comes to pipes, you can hear anything from a bang and a rattle to a whistle or a squeal.

The source of the problem can be hard to determine, but the source of the sound will usually happen at one of these points:

  • When running water in the house
  • After a cold or hot water supply has been shut off
  • Randomly throughout the day or in the middle of the night

Depending on when/which noise you are hearing can narrow down the scope of the issue. Determining when the sound occurs is the initial step, then breaking down the possible causes is next. Most pipe noises can be easily rectified, but using a professional plumbing company like Curtis Plumbing may be necessary.

Hot water and CPVC water lines.

When hot water is running in your home and you hear a noise that is either,

  1. A clicking or knocking sound that starts soon after the hot water is turned on, or
  2. The same clicking or knocking noise that doesn't stop until several minutes after you have already shut off the hot water,

then you are most likely dealing with a water line construction issue with your CPVC pipes. These pipes require more room, which could mean cutting into your drywall. For help on identifying and fixing this plumbing issue, a professional plumber is recommended.

Water supply shut off and water hammer.

Another time you may find your pipes causing noise is when,

  • Your toilet is flushed.
  • The washer finishes filling.
  • The sprinkler system turns off.

This particular noise, usually a knocking or loud banging in the pipes near the source, is caused from what is referred to as water hammer. Water hammer happens when a water valve is suddenly shut off and the water that was running crashes into the valve. Severe water hammer can even loosen the joints and cause leaks.

What is your solution to this problem as a homeowner? That all depends on the age of your home. If you have air chambers in your home, which usually are present in homes built prior to 1960, you can drain all of the water out of your home's plumbing and refill it.

Homes built after 1960 are usually equipped with water hammer arrestors and rarely fail. If your home is having a problem similar to this, it is best to consult a professional opinion.

Other common causes of pipe noise.

Two other major culprits of pipe knocking are water pressure and sediment buildup. When your cold water is running and you hear noises in the pipes, high water pressure is usually the issue. This is easy to fix! Using a water pressure test gauge to check the pressure near the water main. Your pressure should read at 40-80 PSI. If your water pressure does not fall within this range, contact a plumber to come adjust the pressure valve in your home.

Sediment buildup in your water heater can create noises when no water is running in your home. It can be so loud, that it makes the knocking noise appear as if it is coming from your walls. The solution to this is to flush your water heater or have a professional plumbing company come and do it for you.

Not sure if your noises are stemming from any of these plumbing issues? Contact Curtis Plumbing today for a professional examination and alleviate the knocking and rattling in your home's plumbing system.