Your pipes are supposed to be silent. When they make noises, it’s a sign that something isn’t right in your plumbing system. Perhaps there’s not enough space between the pipe fixtures, or maybe you need to recalibrate your thermostat. Whatever the case may be Westerville Plumbing & Drain has your back!
In truth, sudden banging pipes can be caused by several different problems. Below are the most common reasons why pipes bang and how to stop them—as well as what you should do if you can’t find a solution on your own:
What Is a Water Hammer?
A water hammer is a banging noise in the pipes, usually heard when you turn off a faucet or close a valve. Water hammer is caused by the sudden stop and start of water flow within the home’s plumbing system. It can be caused by a sudden change in water pressure or a sudden change in water temperature.
When this happens, it causes an increase in kinetic energy (KE) of the fluid molecules within your pipes. The KE increases until there’s no more room for it to build up—then BOOM! That banging sound you hear is the sound of those particles that couldn’t fit anymore suddenly hitting something hard and fast, like your sink drain or toilet bowl.
When we think about how much kinetic energy there really is inside our pipes at any given moment, it becomes clear why this phenomenon occurs so much more often than one might expect. For example, there are billions upon billions of tiny water molecules moving through every home’s plumbing system all day long – every single minute! They’re always bouncing around at high speeds, sometimes colliding with each other, and sometimes even being forced out into the atmosphere through vents under sinks or bathtubs (which makes those little bubbles on top).
Any time something goes wrong with these systems (such as when there are too many people using hot showers simultaneously), all that extra kinetic energy needs somewhere else to go – like right back into nearby pipes within the walls where they’ll then continue slamming against them over time until they eventually fall off onto a homeowner, like yourself.
Do You Have Loose Pipes?
Loose pipes are the most common cause of banging pipes. Pipes can bang against the wall, other pipes, or even the ceiling if there’s enough room. If your house is old and has not been renovated in decades, the chances are good that you have some loose pipes running through it.
If you’re worried about this issue, first check to see whether any of your plumbing is loose or not properly secured by holding on to one side of the pipe while gently twisting and pushing on its other end with two fingers. If there is movement between those two points, then your plumbing needs some attention! You’ll need a plumber for this kind of work, but don’t worry—you won’t have to call out an emergency service like you would with a burst pipe or leaky faucet; just make sure you find someone who will come out immediately, like one of our plumbing experts at Westerville Plumbing & Drain. This will ensure that any damage done by banging pipes can be fixed as soon as possible!
Do You Have Pipe Corrosion?
Corrosion is another major cause of pipe banging. Pipe corrosion can occur from the inside out, which can lead to your pipes becoming loose. The process of corrosion can also make your pipes brittle and prone to breaking, which means that you could wake up one morning to discover that someone hasn’t just kicked over your trash can—but your pipe actually broke in the middle of the night!
This type of damage causes water leaks, meaning that you’ll need to repair or replace not only your pipes but possibly other parts of your plumbing system as well.
Do You Have Too Much Pressure In the Pipes?
You may be experiencing banging from your pipes if either the pressure in your home is too high or too low. If you’re unsure what these terms mean, we’ll explain them below!
High Pressure: When there is more force pushing water through pipes than they can handle, this causes them to bang against one another and make a loud noise. In most cases, this means that there needs to be more water coming into your home to compensate for how much goes out through various fixtures around the house (i.e., showers and toilets). To fix this issue, contact an HVAC technician who can install a pressure regulator valve on the incoming water line leading into your home so that it matches up with how much volume is being used at any given time throughout each day.
Low Pressure: Low pressure happens when there isn’t enough force pushing water through pipes because there isn’t enough coming into them.
The solution? You may need a plumber who specializes in installing new fittings or valves on existing ones; however, before going down that route, It’s recommended to check with an expert first. Especially since sometimes adding insulation around existing ones could solve all of our problems without having someone come out again (which would save both parties time/money).
Do You Have a Buildup of Mineral Deposits?
The banging may be caused by mineral deposits that have built up in the pipes. These minerals are usually caused by hard water, which can cause problems with any number of appliances in your home.
To prevent this buildup, it’s recommended that you flush your pipes regularly using a solution like vinegar and baking soda. If you suspect that there’s already a buildup in your plumbing system, one of our professional plumbers can remove it for you at an affordable rate.
If there aren’t any issues with the plumbing itself (i.e., no leaks or cracks), then perhaps adding a water softener to your household would help reduce future buildups and prevent noise from occurring in the future!
When Should You Call a Plumber for Banging Pipes?
When pipes make banging noises, it’s usually time to call in a plumber. Sure, you can try some of the DIY fixes we mentioned above, but if none of them work or if they don’t seem to apply to your situation, then you should get a professional opinion.
Pipes that bang for too long can cause repeated stress on your plumbing system and lead to more major issues down the road. If you’ve got banging pipes going on in your home, don’t risk making it worse by trying to fix it yourself. Call Westerville Plumbing & Drain today at (614) 540-3437, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here! We can diagnose and fix your banging pipes quickly and affordably.