Let’s say you’re sleeping, or at least relaxing comfortably, in your home, and all of the sudden you’re aware of a perhaps soft but persistent knocking coming from your walls…
It can be quite alarming! Fortunately, it’s not a plumbing emergency, but it’s still a plumbing problem you’ll want to pay attention to. Ignore it and you’ll only notice the sound getting louder and louder.
So what is it that you’re hearing? Knocking pipes!
There are solutions to this nuisance, which we will get into below. In the meantime, if you need reliable plumbing services, emergency or not, don’t hesitate to dial our number!
The Culprit Behind Knocking Pipes
In most cases, the culprit behind knocking pipes is variable water pressure in your main supply pipes that come into your home. This can sound like a huge problem–but, actually, your water pressure is important because it keeps water moving feeling throughout the pipes and into your faucets. You need that gravity to reliably use your plumbing system!
However, when the air that’s used in pressurizing those pipes starts to leak, then water can move suddenly and violently, and this is what creates the knocking sound you hear as it travels through the length of your supply lines.
Is There a DIY Fix?
For plumbing repairs, we never recommend the do-it-yourself method. Unless you have extensive training and experience in plumbing, you could unintentionally do more harm than good to your pipes. But there are steps you can take that don’t involve actually touching your pipes.
- Alert the members of your household first, then turn off your main water supply valve.
- Flush the lines–meaning, open all of your faucets and flush the toilets. With your main supply line off, water can still leave your home through drainage pipes. This step ensures that all the pipes are empty.
- Now, turn your main valve back on. You’ll want to do this slowly, since the air chambers between and around your pipes need time to refill before water rushes back through them.
Once you follow these steps, the pipes should have been fully emptied and sort of, “reset” and the knocking sound should be gone. If the sound isn’t gone, or you find yourself needing to follow these steps multiple times a year, it’s time to give us a call!
In most cases, when you have a plumbing problem, the first step you should make is calling in the plumber, but we hope these tips above help you. Remember, it’s also a good idea to have your plumbing system maintained on an annual basis and invest in routine preventative drain cleaning to prevent problems with your plumbing system.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any plumbing problems or concerns you might have. We’re ready to help and happy to answer any questions you might have about the functionality of your plumbing system.
For expert service on your plumbing in Evanston, IL, look no further than Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Contact us today!