What’s That Banging Noise In Your Plumbing?

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Many people, even if they are homeowners, tend to ignore the occasional banging and groaning of their plumbing pipes, especially if their home is older. Certainly, the systems in older homes tend to make more noise. but, more than likely, it could be something simple that is easily resolved before becoming a real nuisance.

There are several possible causes and solutions to the noises you hear coming from your pipes. You can do several things to try and narrow it down. If turning on the water creates the noise, then chances are a pipe is clanging against another object. Most of the time, you can track down the location of the problem by following the sound and vibration. A pipe could have become loose, striking a wall, or another pipe. The offending noise can then be silenced by creating a buffer with a piece of wood, rubber hosing, tape or insulation.

Sometimes, hot water will create a rumble of steam through your system, an indication to lower the temperature on your hot water heater. Pipes also have air chambers that cushion a shock effect that’s created when running water is suddenly turned off. These chambers can fail or become waterlogged, causing a “water hammer” sound. You can possibly clear this yourself by opening up the noisy faucet with the water turned off, to let it completely drain, so that the chamber can refill with air, restoring the cushion.

As always, whenever you have a concern about the plumbing in your home, it is a good idea to have your system inspected by your local plumbing professional to make sure that everything is functioning properly.

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