Is It Normal to Hear Water Running Through Pipes and Why

Hearing water running through pipes can be a normal occurrence in many homes. It's estimated that 10% of homes experience this issue.

The sound is usually caused by water flowing through the pipes under pressure. This can be due to the water supply company's pressure, or it can be a result of a leak in the system.

It's worth noting that the sound can be more noticeable at certain times of the day, such as during peak water usage hours.

If your pipes are making noise, it's not just normal wear and tear. Excessive water pressure is a common cause of noisy pipes, and it can be destructive to your home if left unchecked.

High water pressure can cause pipes to vibrate, rumble, or even make a whistling sound. You can test your water pressure at home by purchasing a threaded pressure gauge that screws directly onto a faucet or valve. If your home's water pressure exceeds 80 psi, it's time to install a pressure regulator.

Loose fittings are another common cause of noisy pipes. If you hear clunking, rattling, or vibrating from your pipes, it's likely that they need to be tightened or replaced. This is an easy fix, and you can try to do it yourself by accessing the pipework.

Air in the pipes can also cause whining or moaning sounds when you turn on a faucet. This indicates a problem with the bleed-off system, which is best resolved by a professional plumber.

Here are some common causes of noisy pipes:

In some cases, you may hear a faint squeak or rubbing noise caused by copper pipes that aren't insulated properly. This can be fixed by turning down the water heater temperature slightly.

Hearing strange sounds coming from your pipes can be unsettling, but some noises are more common than you think.

A hissing sound from your toilet is often a sign that the flapper and/or ballcock valve is worn out and needs to be replaced.

If the tank continues to fill with water past the desired shutoff and runs down the overflow, it can create a hissing sound.

A pounding or banging sound can occur when the force of the water flowing through the pipes is abruptly stopped, like when your washing machine stops filling.

Loose pipes inside your walls can also cause a banging sound as the water flows through them.

To remedy loose pipes, have your plumber secure them in place using different methods.

Special "shock-absorbing" devices can be incorporated into your home's plumbing to stop persistent banging noises.

These devices contain air and are added as "T" sections in different areas.

In some homes, hot water lines can make different noises as the water goes from cold to hot due to thermal expansion.

You'll want to consult with a professional plumber to determine the most appropriate resolution for your home.

If you hear whistling noises coming from your pipes, it's not always a cause for concern. Whistling in the pipe system can be caused by a worn washer, loose brass screw, or grimy aerator inside the faucet itself.

A whistling toilet that quiets down after the tank is filled usually needs a new ballcock valve. To fix the issue, simply bend the float arm down a little so the ballcock turns off sooner.

If the whistling sound seems to come from everywhere, you may have too much mineral buildup, a worn main water supply valve, or an ineffective pressure regulator. It's best to have an expert perform plumbing system maintenance to determine the severity of any of these problems.

High water pressure can also cause noisy pipes, leading to serious consequences if not handled properly. Noise will occur if water pressure is too high, simply because it is being forced through pipework too quickly and is crashing around.

A water pressure regulator can help maintain optimal water pressure and reduce noise. Water pressure should be between 1 to 1.5 bar, and you can check this by looking at your boiler and finding out what the pressure is.

Copper pipes can expand and contract with temperature, causing noisy pipes when hot water is used. This occurs when the pipe rubs against joints, brackets, and support structures, or other hidden elements of your home, as it expands with heat.

To manage noise from expanding copper pipework, you can insulate accessible pipework with foam rubber to avoid friction against other surfaces. You can also lower your hot water temperature to reduce the expansion of the metal.

Here are some common pipe noises and their possible causes:

Loose components can cause noisy pipes, so it's essential to check your plumbing fixtures and pipes for loose fasteners and hardware.

Loose washers and worn-out components can lead to rattling, whistling, or squealing sounds. Tightening loose bolts and replacing worn-out fixtures can often solve the issue.

Copper pipes can make whistling and squealing sounds due to their tendency to expand with heat and contract with cold. Lowering the temperature on your hot water heater slightly can help prevent this issue.

Loose fittings can also cause noisy pipes, resulting from pressure and friction as water flows through them. Tightening bolts or replacing worn-out fixtures can often solve the problem.

Loose components can cause noisy pipes, so it's essential to check for loose fasteners and hardware, such as loose washers.

Excessive wear can lead to worn washers and loose pipes, which can create a rattling or whistling sound as water flows through them.

Copper pipes can make whistling and squealing sounds due to their malleable nature, which causes them to expand with heat and contract with cold.

Lowering the temperature on your hot water heater slightly can help prevent copper pipes from expanding too much and making noise.

Loose fittings can also cause noisy pipes, resulting in clunking, rattling, or vibrating sounds.

Tightening bolts or replacing worn-out fixtures can help resolve the issue, but in some cases, professional help may be necessary.

Professional plumbers can diagnose and repair noisy pipes using video camera inspections, trenchless repair methods, or HydroScrub Jetting services.

If you're hearing a clicking or knocking noise when you turn on the hot water tap, it might be due to CPVC lines expanding and contracting after hot water runs through them.

CPVC lines are commonly used for hot water supply and are found in many homes.

The noise usually starts right away and doesn't stop until the tap is closed.

A hole in the pipe that's too small can cause this issue, especially if the pipe expands when hot water flows through it.

This is a common problem that builders should consider when installing pipes, but sometimes they don't.

To fix the issue, you need to find the problematic pipe and expand the space around it, which might require cutting through the wall.