What Are Those Strange Plumbing Sounds?

June 25th, 2019 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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Your plumbing works day in and day out, usually without a falter. When it does have an issue, it may be a visible leak or a backed-up drain in your kitchen. There are other signs that you may not see, but can hear, that your plumbing may have some trouble. Here are some strange plumbing sounds that can alert you to issues with your pipes, water heater or other components.

Rattling Pipes

Is there a clatter of rattling or vibrating pipes behind your walls or under your floors? Sometimes all that is needed is tightening the pipe brackets to keep them still. However, vibration can be caused by too high of pressure; have the water pressure checked to ensure it is correct.

Hammering or Banging Pipes

Do you hear banging or hammering in your walls? Water valves that shut too abruptly can cause a “water hammer” effect. This can damage your pipes and should be fixed. Talk to your local plumber about adding an arrestor or changing to slower-acting water valves.

Tapping and Crackling Water Heaters

If your tank water heater is making racket, it may need flushing. The minerals that buildup in the tank can cause element issues and corrosion that cause a banging sound. Flushing can remove the minerals and extend the life of your water heater.

Hissing or Squealing Faucets

When your faucets make noises when you turn them on, get them checked out by a plumber. Hissing can mean too high of water pressure and squealing can alert you to valves or washers that need replacement.

Next time your plumbing starts talking, make sure to listen. Strange sounds can identify plumbing issues before they become larger emergencies.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.
106-M Oakgrove Road
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

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Troubleshooting Water Pressure Issues

January 26th, 2016 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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Does your shower feel like a drizzle instead of a shower? Does your faucet only give a trickle when you need a flood? You have water pressure issues! While low water pressure may not be an emergency, it is a sign that something is wrong with your plumbing. To get to the source of the issue, here are a few troubleshooting tips.

  • Is the water pressure only low from certain fixtures? The first step is determining whether this is a house-wide problem or an isolated issue. If washer pressure is only low in the shower or maybe in certain rooms, that helps narrow down the source. It is only in one fixture, than it most likely is a clogged showerhead or faucet.
  • Is only the hot water low pressure? If it is only your hot water that comes as a drizzle, you are probably experiencing issues with your water heater. Call your local plumber to have your water heater inspected and serviced.
  • Whole house low pressure. If your entire home has low water pressure, there could be a few reasons. You should check to make sure your main water valve is completely open or that a water pressure reducing valve is not in place. Also talk to your neighbors – do they have low water pressure too? It may be the city water supply that is providing low pressure. Adding a water pressure booster may be a solution.

If you still are unable to find the source of your low water pressure, call your local plumber to have your plumbing inspected. They can help find the cause and offer solutions to get your pressure back to a normal level.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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Do You Need a Pressure Regulator Adjustment or Replacement?

May 5th, 2015 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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Many people are unaware that there home is equipped with a pressure regulator valve, even though it is one of the most essential parts of their plumbing. If you are on a municipal water system, the water pressure coming into your home is usually too high for residential plumbing. The pressure regulator reduces this pressure to make it safe and tolerable for your water lines and appliances. But what happens when this valve needs to be adjusted or replaced?

Signs of Pressure Regulator Problems

In most cases, the water pressure coming into your home should be less than 75 PSI. If your pressure regulator valve is working correctly, you should never even know it is there. However, if it is not adjusted properly or has stopped working, there are signs that you may need it replaced, including:

–          Hose problems. Have you needed to replace your washer or outdoor hoses recently due to ruptures? This is a sign that the pressure is too high for these devices, often due to a malfunctioning pressure regulator.

–          Water line issues. Does it seem like you are having more plumbing problems than usual? Maybe it started with a dripping pipe under the kitchen sink, then another leak in the ice maker in your refrigerator. High pressure may be damaging your plumbing lines. This can become a very expensive problem if a larger water line bursts in your home.

If you are concerned that your pressure regulator may not be working as it should, call your local plumber. They can test your water pressure and install a new regulator if necessary to protect your plumbing and home from further damage.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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Causes of Low Water Pressure in Your Home

December 7th, 2012 Posted in Faucet Repairs
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Nothing feels better than a good strong blast of warm water from your showerhead on a cool morning. However, when low water pressure transforms the flow from forceful to a limp drizzle, it loses its invigorating affect. Whether it is a showerhead or a faucet, there can be several causes to a decrease in water pressure.

If you’ve replaced older faucets with newer faucets in your home, you may notice a decrease in water pressure. That’s because faucets manufactured since 1994 have been required to include flow inhibitors to meet EPA standards. Faucets made prior to that time period had no flow restrictors.

If you have just moved into a new home or have recently replaced faucets in your home, there may be another reason for low water pressure. Debris and sediment can collect in the water lines during construction or during any shut down of the water flow in your home. Your faucets and showerhead have aerators or filters that may become clogged with that debris and affect the flow of your water.

To remedy this cause of low water pressure, simply remove the aerators from each faucet and clean them out. Do the same for your showerhead. Run the water through the faucets and shower spout, with both cold and hot water turned on, for at least two minutes to clear any additional debris. (You may need to create a temporary shield with a bucket to prevent the water from spraying out of the sinks while running without the aerators in place.) Replace the showerhead and faucet aerators.

If you are not able to determine the cause of your low water pressure yourself, it is time to call in a professional plumber to diagnose the problem.

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