Noises in the Plumbing

When your plumbing system is installed, every effort is made to make it as quiet as possible. When your plumbing does make noises, there is normally a solution - the problem is finding the source of the noise.

There are three common types of noise in the plumbing - water hammer, whistling, and chattering.

Water hammer is caused by thumping whenever water is turned off. It can happen on a normal tap, though is more common in washing machines and dishwashers, whose valves are electronically operated by solenoids.

Water hammer noises can be eradicated by the installation of an air chamber where each supply pipe connects to an appliance. This allows the water rushing into the appliance to be slowed down by the pocket of air when the valve into the appliance shuts. In some cases, it is also possible to attach shock arrestors to the water pipes close to the meter. Water Hammer noises can be reduced in normal taps simply by slowly turning off the tap, allowing the water pressure behind it to build up slowly instead of all at once.

Faults in taps and stop cocks can also cause water hammer, when packing comes loose and jumpers wear out, causing fluctuations in pressure. Faulty ball-valves in storage tanks can also cause water hammer noises.

It can be quite important to prevent water hammer, as the fluctuations in pressure can cause subsequent issues such as leaks and faulty seals.

Chattering pipes are also caused by pressure, when pipes start to move and knock pipes next to them. Because of the nature of pipes, the sounds often transmit along them.

Whistling in pipes is usually caused where pipes are too small in diameter, and the water rushing through them causes noises similar to water hammer. This is particularly common where there are corners on the pipe. To prevent whistling, you can attach a pressure reduction device to pipes close to the meter - this should prevent chattering throughout the entire system.

Other noises in the plumbing include creaking, which occurs when snugly fit heating pipes warm and cool, causing expansion. This can be remedied by putting lagging around the pipes, or by notching floorboards so that the pipe has room to expand without bumping into the wood.

If your plumbing experiences humming noises, it is likely that these will come from a pump located on your plumbing system. Fitting anti-vibration brackets to the pump should remedy this. Alternatively, ensure the pipes are of the correct size, as humming can stem from the same causes of water hammer.

Sometimes, it may be your boiler making noises. While some boiler noise is to be expected, it is possible that the noise may be caused by an insufficient water supply to the boiler, which can cause the boiler to become noisier. It is important to ensure the correct flow rate to your boiler; this is particularly important for wall-mounted boilers.