Many things in your home make noise. In fact, if you put on noise-canceling headphones, you might be shocked at just how “loud” the silence seems. You’re accustomed to hearing the heat or AC, the water heater or dishwasher, laundry in the washer or dryer, or just the sounds of the house settling or creaking. Most of this noise is normal and fine. But noises can also signal that there’s a problem.
Just like with your car, many of the systems in your home make noises during regular operation, but make different noises that indicate that something is wrong. Whether it’s your car or your air conditioner, if it’s clunking or banging, you’ve got a problem. Your home’s plumbing can make odd noises, too. What plumbing sounds mean that it’s time to get help from a plumber? Here’s a list for you.
Knocking
One particularly alarming sound is often referred to as “water hammer” and it sounds just like that: a knock or blow from a hammer. This can be caused by too-hot water turning into steam in your pipes, or by other issues with water pressure suddenly changing. It might sound like you have a poltergeist, but don’t worry! You just need a plumber.
Kettling
A sound like an enormous kettle boiling rapidly can sometimes come from a water heater or home heating boiler. This could be from too-high temperatures, but it’s usually just the heated water bubbling through a layer of sediment that has settled out of the water to the bottom of the tank. You just need your water heater or boiler flushed out by a qualified plumber.
Rattling
A vibrating, clattering, rattly sound can happen when water pipes move slightly as water is running through them. These pipes will accumulate unnecessary wear and tear by moving around and bumping into things. It’s a simple fix if you address it promptly: the loose pipes just need to be secured firmly into place. Don’t let it continue, though, or you could weaken plumbing connections and end up with a leak.
Whistling or Squeaking
Chances are, that’s not a guinea pig in your walls. Odd squealing noises can occur when there’s a problem with a washer being worn out. Save yourself some future trouble by having a plumber track it down and replace it. It’s not worth letting a small issue worsen until you have a major problem.
Gurgling or Bubbling
If your drains make odd sounds as though they have indigestion, you really need some professional help. It might be that there’s a partial clog down there somewhere, and air or water gets trapped behind it and then released with a gurgling sound. But it could also be caused by sewer gasses.
Your drainage system has a vent specifically to keep these gasses from bubbling up into your home because they are hazardous to your health. If that vent is blocked or broken, the gasses can escape in directions they aren’t supposed to. Don’t keep breathing sewer gasses! Address any burbling sounds right away, because the problem could be serious.
Whether you hear a gurgle, squeak, rattle, bubble, or water pipes knocking in Glenview, IL, get professional help from a qualified plumber.
For expert plumbing service, installations, or maintenance, contact Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Our knowledgeable plumbers serve the North Shore and Northwest Chicago suburbs. Rely on Reliance!