FAQs on plumbing system noises at supply pipes, drain pipes, vents, faucets, fixtures.

This plumbing drain and vent noise article series explains all of the types, causes, and cures for noises traced to a building plumbing system, supply piping, drain piping, traps, fixtures, equipment.

Plumbing System Noise FAQs

These questions and answers were posted originally

at PLUMBING SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE - our home page for diagnosing all sorts of noises from building plumbing systems, fixtures or equipment. Be sure to see that information.

On 2019-05-14 by (mod) - glug glug noise at drains?

Ricardo

The glug glugging noise is caused by EITHER a blocked vent OR a partly-clogged drain (or a failing septic system). So sure, try inspecting and un-blocking both pipe systems.

On 2019-05-14 by Ricardo De Leon

I’m hearing drain noise glug glug noise in washer machine drain in 29 story high rise building in the 2 Nd floor washer machine drain. Vent line is plugged. If I clear vent pipe will it solve noise issues.

On 2019-02-13 by (mod) -

Perhaps you could ask you investigating plumber to be more specific

On 2019-02-13 by (mod) - gurgling noises at the sink

Sorry but without more specifics I don't know what the pipe is about which you were inquiring. However it doesn't quite make sense to me the thin wall pipe with cuz gurgling and partially blocked drains. If the pipe is proper diameter and properly sloped it would not, it seems to me, be the issue unless we are missi g something.

More likely the issue would be that there's not proper venting of the drain or the drain is not in fact sloped or doesn't use all of the right types of fittings and connections such that it's clog prone.

On 2019-02-13 by June

We moved into a house which added back addition with a master bedroom and bathroom.

We noticed noises from the sink like gurgling and sometimes the toilet doesn't quite flush. We were told after a plumber used a camera that the piping used which is legal in florida is a new very thin paper like piping and is the result of the problem. Do you have any idea how did this substandard piping get approved? Is this situation something you've heard about.

On 2019-01-27 by (mod) - washing machine air bubble glug glug glug sounds only at the end of various draining cycles

Dino the most-common cause of glugging noises at a washer drain is a partially-blocked drain line or septic system.

On 2019-01-27 by Dino

Hi, my new LG washing machine makes air bubble glug glug glug sounds only at the end of various draining cycles during the wash. During the middle of draining session, it sounds smooth then glug glug glug... and finish. I couldn't tell if the noise came out from the standpipe of the washer drain hose.

My shower, dishwasher, toilets sound fine. Do you think, this is the pump or the pipe is clogged or just simple nothing to worry about? Thank you.

On 2019-01-23 by Steve_K

I think you've given me the answer with "even a heat pump or air conditioner condensate pump cycling to send water into the drain system may make periodic drain noises," but just want to be sure this is normal.

When the heat pump is working, whether in winter for heat or summer for cold, the sink downstairs drums, sounding as if water is dropping into it. Which makes sense, as that's what's happening.
Is this normal? I ask because in earlier years I don't recall the sound.

If not normal, what should I be doing about it?
Thanks.
(Great web page. Full of useful information.)

On 2018-11-17 by (mod) - small diameter drain tube emptying into a floor drain

Judy:

From your photo it looks as if there is a small diameter drain tube emptying into a floor drain; perhaps that tube is from an A/C or heat pump condensate disposal system or from a water softener drain system.

Either of those may produce a dripping sound or a sound of water movement.

On 2018-10-04 by Judy

We had a new floor drain put in when we put a shower in the basement. They put in another hole which has an screwed on cover recessed into the floor and a plastic top on it. It sounds like rain noise coming from the drain, but it's not raining. They also left the old floor drain which still works.

IMAGE LOST by older version of Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

On 2018-11-13 by (mod) - crackling noise from bathroom tile floor

Anon

With no information about your building and its materials, construction, history, I can offer but one wild guess:

there may have been leaks under a ceramic tile floor or older brittle resilient tile floor that have damaged the subfloor or even loosened the tiles.
I'm betting you hear the crackling bathroom floor only when someone walks on it, right?

On 2018-11-13 by Anonymous

What would make a crackling noise coming from my master bathroom tiled floor?

On 2018-04-27 by (mod) - sound to transmit thru a sewer line into a home

Yes, sound can be transmitted by solid piping over great distances.

On 2018-04-25 by Sam

is it possible for a sound to transmit thru a sewer line into a home.sounds like a pump or grinder. constant RPM DOES NOT VERY sometime sound level varies.

On 2017-12-02 by (mod) - leaky vent pipe?

That does sound like a leaky vent line. YOu could could cut into necessary wall or ceiling and inspect or try a pressure test.

On 2017-12-02 by Melissa - more toilet smell odors in San Diego

I thought I'd add that I am amazed San Diego doesn't require plumbing blueprints. I have all the blueprints for the house but I don't know what is in that wall. This makes met more reluctant to open up the wall and I wouldn't know where to start.

Hi Dan, thank you so much for reading and responding to my comment. Yes, I understand about the wax ring.

The situation here is the opposite- the sewage smell stopped when the toilet was removed and replaced - using the old wax ring. In both cases, the smell began when the outside public sewer was being jetted.

The odor is not near the toilet, but coming out of a wall one story up. that's what I am struggling to do - explain why the removal of a distant toilet would stop the odor coming out of a wall some distance from the bathroom. Of course it might be just chance that it resolved the day when I had the drain camera.

I am trying to come up with any possible explanation. Of course, reseating the toilet may have created a better seal even with the old ring. But-
If the problem was the ring, and the plumbers did change that unbeknownst to me, (or it sealed better) then why would the smell have returned after the sewer jetting? I appreciate all thoughts on this and will certainly have the wax ring changed and report back.

On 2017-12-02 by (mod) - woke up to 4 toilet volcanos and discovered that the city was high pressure flushing the sewer lines

When a toilet is removed and then put back on to the flange connector at the floor surface we usually find it's necessary to install a new wax ring to obtain a proper seal.

Otherwise even though the toilet may be bolted down securely maybe leaking sewage into the floor structure or sewer gases out that point

On 2017-12-01 by Melissa

Last year I woke up to 4 toilet volcanos and discovered that the city was high pressure flushing the sewer lines on our block. Despite refilling all the obvious traps, a strong sewage smell persisted, coming through a wall that has plumbing in it, but not in any bathroom. I

called a drain company and they put a camera down the line and found nothing wrong. (It's a new house)

However, as soon as they left the smell disappeared. The only thing they did was take the toilet off for the camera. This year, the exact same thing happened.

Unfortunately, this time, we took the toilet off and the smell has persisted. I have no idea why that worked the first time but I hoped it would work again. I've had two plumbers come and they are dumbfounded. Do you have any ideas? I've been pouring water down all the drains to no effect.

On 2017-10-24 by Thomas Kemp

We recently had our bathtub faucet changed. The plumber turned off the water at the meter. When installation was complete the water was turned back on. When our toilets are flushed we get a banging noise in the pipes. What could be causing this and how can it be fixed?

On 2017-06-28 by Javier Lopez

Hi my bathtub water drains very slowly. It eventually drains completely but takes a while. I ran a snake and pulled out nothing. No clog. So what is the problem?

On 2017-06-13 by (mod) - sounds like, water running in one wall of our laundry room

Karl

Indeed tracking down running water sounds can be tricky; some examples to consider:

a toilet can be running, emptying its cistern into a drain but only occasionally taking water to re-fill itself; the water meter won't run when the toilet tank is emptying

a drain can be partly clogged, accumulating wastewater that slowly drains past the obstruction, making running water noises in a drain

a leak can be hidden - in a wall or crawl area, even under a slab

A defective vent, as you asked, can cause slow gurgling drains but it would not itself directly be releasing water unless it's a wet-vent that is serving as both drain and vent.

Air movement outside a building can affect vent and chimney drafts but I don't know of an explanation of that condition that would appear as a running water noise indoors.

I would try turning off water supply to individual plumbed areas or fixtures - I've done this, even turning off things that I was dead sure were not involved, just be sure I wasn't missing something. I turn everything off at once and listen for a cessation in noise (include allowing for a backed drain to empty) but a slower alternative that's more convenient is to turn off by area or fixture.

I also look around for wet areas and leak stains such as in basement ceilings and in crawl areas.

I also look for roof drains that may be piped through or near the building.

On 2017-06-13 by Karl

We have, what sounds like, water running in one wall of our laundry room. The wall backs up a small washroom, so there is a drain vent enclosed in the wall, as well.

There is absolutely nothing running in the house. I have even gone so far as to look at the water meter (in the street/sidewalk) and the flow indicator (small triangle) is motionless and doesn't change its position over time. Could the noise just be drain/vent related? (air movement or outside noise resonating from the roof)

On 2017-06-12 by (mod) - diagnos and fix loud glug glug sound when toilet is flushed

Bill

Usually the symptoms you describe indicate either a partly-clogged drain downstream from the toilet being flushed or on occasion a blocked vent.

Because you're smelling a sewer odor I'd want to check for both conditions.

A plumber can try snaking the drain but if the blockage is a bit more away from the snake entry point than the length of the cleaning auger then you might need to ask that a sewer line camera be run into both drain and vent to look for a blockage.

More trouble but on the menu is a pressure test of the vent system for leaks.

On 2017-06-12

by Bill

Hello, can you help: We have a first floor flat in a block of flats: When person in flat above flushes toilet there is a loud 'glug glug' sound accompanied by a slight 'drains smell' in the ensuite.

The person upstairs does not notice anything unusual, nor does person below us. Flats are 5 years old. This is a recent problem.
Internal plumbing is our liability.
Bill

On 2017-06-12 by (mod) - partly close water supply valve to try stopping a water pipe whistling sound

Try partly closing the main water shutoff valve or slightly lowering the system pressure at the pressure regulator valve. Often that will stop the noise.

On 2017-06-11 by ljdiggs

Strong whistle sound from the laundry room and kitchen faucets. Noise stops when main valve outside is closed.

When the main entrance of the water was closed, I opened both faucets and let the water run for a while.

Turned the valve back on and the whistle had not disappeared. What should I do? Please help. tky

On 2017-05-01 by Paul

What causes plumbing to make noise? Example when I open two faucets at the same time it sounds like the pipes are bouncing in the walls.

On 2017-04-12 by (mod) - remove scale to stop water heater popping or crackling sounds

Barry,

Try the search box on this page to find our article series on WATER HEATER SCALE REMOVAL if the noise occurs when the heater is heating up but hot water isn't being used.

Else search for WATER HAMMER NOISE diagnosis and cure.

On 2017-04-12 by Barry

my 50 gallon water heater when ON will bang loudly if water is used at another source.

Say toilet flushing or sink turned on or washer on Rinse FILL. .I have checked water pressure it is 44 psi. Any idea? have an expansion tank.

On 2015-09-20 by Ken

We live in a single story ranch house with no basement. We have a very low frequency rumble sound. I believe it is coming from the sewer line, possibly a municipal pump station. This sound is most noticeable at night, and can be heard throughout the house.

In the winter, it sounds like a big diesel truck idling outside the house.

Is there any way that this sound can be diminished? I don't know that it would be worth calling the village. I have thought about changing the connection from a hard plastic to a soft rubber connection (as long as it meets code).

Other than that, I have thought about noise cancellation audio. This noise is very annoying, especially in the front bedroom at night, where the sewer pipe leaves under the house.

On 2015-07-28 by A.McKinlay - plumbing vent stack that 'clicks' whenever the hot water is on

We have a plumbing vent stack that 'clicks' whenever the hot water is on - even for just a hand wash! Since it is in the wall between the bathroom and our bedroom, it is very annoying and keeps us awake until it subsides.

We have tried to find the solution but haven't found anything yet! Most plumbers look at us wondering what we are talking about - but it is driving us crazy and we have cut a hole in the wall twice now to see if we can find the problem!! Please help!

On 2015-02-02 by (mod) - gurgling drain

Joe: I suspect there's heat pump condensate draining into the floor drain: take a look and let me know what you see

On 2015-03-04 by Joe - floor drain in my basement emits a gurgling sound only when the heat pump comes

The floor drain in my basement emits a gurgling sound only when the heat pump comes on. Any ideas?

On 2015-02-02 by (mod) - after flushing the toilet I get a backdraft of air f

Mike I'm unclear where you're seeing air backdrafting. If you mean from the bowl then it sounds as if there is a drain or vent blockage or the tank is not sending enough water to re-fill the bowl.

On 2015-01-31 by Mike

after flushing the toilet I get a backdraft of air from the toilet. It is a septic system.

On 2014-12-08 by (mod) -

Anon look for a clogged drain first and inadequate venting or missing venting second. When the fixture that gurgles is just one sink, the problem is probably in that fixtures drain or vent piping rather than later on in the system.

On 2014-12-08 by Anonymous

bathroom sink gurgles after sink drains. used drain cleaner; gurgle got louder. no other drain in house makes noise, just one sink. odd.

On 2014-12-08 by Anonymous

Dempsey Helms

On 2014-12-02 by (mod) -

Sal if the noise is brief and stops shortly after closing the faucet, in the ARTICLE INDEX see

WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE

If the noise is continuous one would think water must be running, leaking somewhere, OR you are mistaking water running down a drain for noise in the supply piping.

On 2014-12-02 by Sal

Yea tell me about it :). I'll let you know once I find a solution. Thanks for the feedback.

On 2014-12-02 by (mod) - laundry faucet that keeps making a continuous gargling noise

How interesting Sal. Usually gurgling noises are either

- a partly blocked drain
or
- air in the water lines

and occur when water runs not when it is not running.

I'm baffled.

On 2014-12-02 by Sal

I have laundry faucet that keeps making a continuous gargling noise when I close the faucet handles. When they are open the sound disappears. Also when diagnosing I realized that if I plug the head where water comes out the noise stops. In addition, I have a medal rod connected to the back of the faucet and going down to a ground pipe which drips water into it (I learned that's used to keep the ground pipe from drying up and making a smell...)

I was thinking I might need to change the seat to fix it... Let me know what you think.

Thanks

On 2014-11-08 1 by (mod) - sewage in walls after a flood

Anon if the condo was flooded and not properly remediated there could be a remaining sewage or mold reservoir in walls, floors or ceilings.

Thermal movement of water pipes causes noises as you describe: that's something that can be reduced somewhat by insulating the wall cavity if it's not already insulated, but wait: a more effective approach may be available depending on what exploration is needed to find and remove the odor problem. If wall cavity exploration finds contamination therein, the walls will need to be opened, cleaned, and re=insulated. At that time use noise suppressing pipe supports and give adequate cleareance around piping thorugh wall framing to stop the noise entirely.

On 2014-11-08 by Anonymous

I live in a ground level in a 38 years old building , the condo was renovated before I buy it , I noticed when I close the bedroom door , that there is bad smell in the room, that I wake up and open the door , knowing that I knew after I bought it , that the condo was flooded and fixed after, so what is the reason behind that smell, if the condo was fixed?

also between 6 am and 9 am , I hear strong noise when the water pipes start to stretch behind the bedroom wall, so what kind of insulation shall I put? also shall my realtors n seller have informed me of these stuff before the purchase?

On 2014-12-10 by (mod) - whistling water pipes

Kim

Please see our article WATER SUPPLY PIPE WHISTLE NOISE for detailed suggestions on tracking down and fixing whistling or shrieking water supply pipe sounds.

On 2014-12-10 by Kim - ringing hissing sound from water pipes

If I am hearing a ringing/hissing sound from the water pipes in my garage that I believe are the pipes coming in from the well - what type of expert do I contact?

Plummer or Well company? I don't want to waste money contacting someone only to have to contact someone else.

Please note - I shut the main water valve off next to our pump in the garage and it had no affect - still ringing/hissing. Thanks!

On 2014-10-11 by Anonymous

running hot water in kitchen, heard a thump and hot water flow reduced to a small stream. Plenty of pressure and hot water in bathrooms. Have a tankless hot water system.

On 2014-06-21 0 by (mod) -

Chap

I'd start by identifying the noise source. If its the pump the problem could be a failing motor or bearing or another topic such as air in the system

On 2014-06-21 by Chaplain

When I run water outside (water hose) the noise inside my home piping is getting louder and louder the last 6 months. The water lines are in the foundation. The noise has increased about 5x (getting so loud I'm now worried. Any help?

On 2014-05-18 by (mod) -

I'm not sure Jack, but take a look at this diagnostic article and let me know if that helps

https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Water_Hammer.htm

On 2014-05-17 by Jack

Whenever water is used in the house, toilet, shower, faucet, etc. a loud repetitious sound of water surging and waning as water moves through the water pipes located near the main water supply (street) or water heater. The sound stops shortly aster the use of water stops. What is the source?

Thanks,

Jack

On 2014-05-17 by Anonymous

Whenever water is used in the house, toilet, shower, faucet, etc. a loud surging and waning of water moving through the water pipes located near the main water supply (street) or water heater. What is the source?

On 2014-05-02 by (mod) - water hammer noise

Gurav it sounds as if perhaps you are describing a water hammer problem with its noise being transmitted up through the building. If the noise is like banging pipes that's likely it.

See https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Water_Hammer.htm

On 2014-05-02 by Gaurav

Dan: I discovered noise where water enters in the house (basement) when water taps are on.

I think it is also making noise in the water heater area as well. This noise travels through the heater exhaust into the attic and up. This pipe in attic is in between two fans so I am hearing it. Any help will be of great help.

On 2014-05-01 by (mod) - sewer aerator noise?

I'm unsure too Justin. I'd look at

- solid sound transmission via a vibrating component touching the drain line

- a plumbing vent system noise transmission path

On 2014-05-01 by Justin

I can hear my aerator from my sewer system constantly running from one of my toilets.

The wax ring was just replaced. It seems to have sealed properly because I'm not having any leaks or odors. I don't understand why the noise is being heard from the toilet, but it almost sounds like I have an air pocket in the toilet. Any ideas would be appreciated.

On 2014-05-01 by Gaurav

Thank you Dan. I will check in more detail this evening and let you know.

On 2014-05-01 by (mod) - clicking sound comes from the bathroom exhaust fan

Gaurav,
Indeed fan housings and ductwork might transmit nearby noises that would be more noticeable when the fan is not running. You'll need to look for the noise source in the attic with more care and on the roof surface itself, even on house walls near the area.

Look for something that can physically move, with movement caused by a force such as wind, temperature changes, water movement, animals, insects, &c. Sorry but with so little information I can't really say what your noise source is.

When you can't see an obvious noise source and when nobody's hearing nor sound snoop tools are adequate for finding a noise source, then often our Noise Event Log can help track down a noise source by noting the conditions of its occurrence and relating those to what's going on at the building.

See our BUILDING NOISE LOG - Printable

https://inspectapedia.com/noise_diagnosis/Noise_Log.htm

You may also want to see our home page for this topic:

NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE

On 2014-05-01 by Gaurav

Fan is not making noise. It is something in the fan area making the noise. I checked on the attic area and definately heard the noise. It was not loud due to insulation. Both bathrooms fixtures does this at any flow rate of water.

On 2014-04-29 by (mod) -

I'm stumped. Are you saying that when you run water in the sink the fan makes a clicking noise?

Just that fixture?
At any flow rate?

On 2014-04-29 by Gaurav

I have clicking sound comes from the bathroom exhaust fan when I use water in the sink. Fans are off and this is on the second floor. Water pipes are not running in the roof. Any help will be of great help. Thanks.

On 2013-01-26 by Sonia

What does it mean when your jetted tub sounds like it's blowing air when empty load noise runs for about 5 minutes.

On 2012-08-31 by Retha

You've explained that air gets into the line to prevent a siphon. In your illustration on direct venting the arrows show the air coming from the stack. How does the air get into the stack to begin with? Nobody is explaining that to me.

On 2012-08-24 by Anonymous

I hear gurgling noises are from under the sink next to the washing machine. can you suggest solution to my problem. Can I resolve this problem by myself???

On 2012-02-16 by Lou

Gurgling noises are coming from under the sink next to the main floor washing machine. can you suggest solution to my problem. Can I resolve this problem by myself???

On 2011-12-21 by Icebreaker

Hi - my downstair bathroom has a sink on the left, toilet in the middle, and the tub on the right (all side by side). The sink and the tub are draining very well but the toilet is draining really slow and not able to push solid waste through at all.

i know 100% there is nothing in the toilet and no blockage there at all (i move the toilet from upstair down to try). do you know what problem this could be causing?

On 2011-10-19 by Steve

I am moving a washing machine and the new location will be about 7 feet from the existing drain / vent. Can I add a new vent near the washer, take it up into the attic and tie into the existing vent?

...

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• NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE - home
• PLUMBING NOISE CHECKLIST
• PLUMBING SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE - home
• PLUMBING VENT DEFECTS & NOISES

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