Sounds Your Plumbing Can Make and What It's Trying to Tell You
Have you ever noticed strange sounds coming from your plumbing? Groaning, moaning, whining—these noises may seem harmless at first, but they often signal underlying plumbing issues that need attention. Ignoring them can lead to bigger, more expensive problems down the road.
At Riverway Plumbing, we’ve heard it all, and we know exactly what these sounds mean. Here’s a breakdown of common plumbing noises and what they’re trying to tell you.
Common Plumbing Noises and Their Causes
1. Groaning or Moaning Pipes – High Water Pressure
If your pipes are producing a deep, groaning sound, your water pressure might be too high. While strong water pressure may seem beneficial, excessive pressure puts stress on your pipes and can lead to leaks, pipe damage, and wasted water.
What to do: Check your water pressure with a pressure gauge, which you can find at most hardware stores. The recommended range is between 40 and 60 psi. If your pressure is over 80 psi, you may need a pressure regulator installed to prevent long-term damage.
2. Moaning Sounds from the Bathroom – Faulty Toilet Fill Valve
A moaning noise coming from your bathroom could be due to a malfunctioning toilet fill valve. When the fill valve isn’t working properly, water struggles to shut off completely, causing a low, vibrating sound in the pipes.
What to do: Turn off the water supply to each toilet one at a time. If the noise stops when a specific toilet is shut off, that toilet’s fill valve likely needs to be replaced. While this is a fix some homeowners can handle, a plumber can ensure it’s done correctly to prevent leaks and further issues.
3. Whining or Whistling Pipes – Air in the Lines
If you hear a high-pitched whining or whistling sound when you turn on a faucet, there may be air trapped in your plumbing system. This can happen when there’s an issue with the bleed-off system, allowing air pockets to form inside the pipes.
What to do: Since this can be tricky to resolve, it’s best to call a plumber. A professional can properly bleed the air from the pipes and determine if there’s a deeper issue causing the air pockets to form.
4. Groaning and Gurgling – Pipe Blockages
A groaning noise combined with slow-draining sinks, occasional toilet backups, or unpleasant odors from the drains is a strong indicator of a blockage in your pipes. Left unchecked, a clogged pipe can burst, leading to extensive water damage.
What to do: This is a problem that requires immediate professional attention. A plumber can use specialized tools, such as drain cameras and hydro jetting, to locate and clear the blockage before it worsens.
Why You Should Call a Professional
While some plumbing issues have simple solutions, others require expert diagnosis and repair. Different plumbing problems can produce similar sounds, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause without professional experience.
At Riverway Plumbing, we have the tools and expertise to assess and fix noisy plumbing issues quickly before they become costly repairs. Regular plumbing maintenance can also help prevent these problems from occurring in the first place.
If your pipes are making strange noises, don’t wait for the issue to get worse. Contact Riverway Plumbing today at (812) 327-8080 to schedule an inspection and keep your plumbing running smoothly.
