Pipes Making Noise?

Pipe noises range from loud hammering sounds to high-pitched squeaks. The usual causes range from loose pipes, water logged air chambers, or most commonly, water pressure that’s too high (Pressure Regulating Valve should be replaced in this situation.) Anchoring exposed pipes is a simple solution; other remedies such as anchoring pipes concealed inside walls, floors or ceilings, or may call for a professional.

Banging
Pipes are usually anchored with hammer clips or pipe straps every 5 to 7 feet for horizontal runs, 6 to 8 feet for vertical.

•If your pipes bang when you turn on the water, you may need to add straps, cushion the pipes by insulating them, or both.
•When you anchor a pipe-especially a plastic one-leave room for expansion.
•NEVER use galvanized straps on copper pipes.

Squeaking
Only hot water pipes squeak. As the pipe expands, it moves in its clip/strap, and friction causes the squeak.

•Solution: Cushion it as you would a banging pipe.

Water Hammer

This noise occurs when you turn off the water at a faucet or an appliance quickly. The water flowing through the pipes slams to a stop, causing a hammering noise.
Check for:

•Loose Pipes

Remedy:

•Anchor the pipes.

Check for:

•Faulty air chambers/Hammer Arresters. These lengths of pipe or cylinders (in the case of hammer arresters,) installed behind fixtures and appliances, hold air that cushions the shock when flowing water is shut off. They can get filled with water and lose their effectiveness.

Remedy:

•To restore air to the chambers, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve. Open all the faucets to drain the system. Close the faucets and turn the water on again. The air chambers should fill with air. (In the case of the hammer arrester if this does not work then they will need to be replaced.)

Check for:

•Water pressure that’s above 70 psi (pounds per square inch).

Remedy:

•To lower the pressure, install a Pressure Regulating Valve (PRV.) Give us a call if you do not feel comfortable in doing this yourself.
• In houses that were built in the late 80′s to the late 90′s and have grey plastic (poly-b) waterlines it is highly recommended to change your PRV every 8 years to avoid waterlines bursting.