When water pipes make noise, it’s often described as a banging, hammering, groaning or humming sound. Often, the noise happens when water is turned off, such as when an outdoor irrigation system shuts off or when a water faucet inside is turned off.
When the sound happens when water is turned off, it’s because the liquid has no exit through the pipe and slams into the shut-off valve. It can be an alarming sound and, over time, could cause damage to the joints and connections in the water lines. At Affordable Service, our professional, certified plumbers can address water hammers, as they’re known, by resetting the air chambers in the house, flushing the air out of the pipes and restoring air in the vertical air chambers. Another option is to install water hammer arresters in the pipes, which divert the water’s force when the supply is turned off.
Sometimes, excessively hot water can cause copper pipes to expand to the point that they rub against studs, support brackets or joints inside the walls. If your plumbing includes copper pipes, you can try lowering the hot water temperature at the water heater to see if the noise lessens.
A common issue in the Rio Rancho and Albuquerque region is that the water pressure coming in to the home is high. Most homes today include a pressure regulator on the lines where water comes to the home. If you have noisy pipes, it’s also possible that the water pressure regulator valve might need to be replaced. Also known as a pressure reducing valve or PRV, it evens out the water pressure as it reaches your home. The lifespan is usually 5 to 12 years.
Noise from your plumbing pipes is usually a sign that something is not right in the home’s plumbing system. And since water leaks can cause devastating damage to a home, either through a slow drip or a flooded house, it’s important to have it checked out. Contact the experienced plumbers at Affordable Service in Rio Rancho. We’ve served homeowners since 1986 across Rio Rancho, Corrales, Bernalillo and Albuquerque.
