Checklist to diagnose causes of plumbing noises sorted by type of sound:

We describe plumbing system & equipment noises alphabetically ordered from banging to whistling.

Use this list to track down the sources of plumbing system noises by starting with the kind of sound you hear.

This article series provides a plumbing noise diagnosis checklist useful for plumbing system noise control, starting with a list of sources of plumbing system noises in buildings: water supply piping noise, drain pipe noise, plumbing fixture noises, water main pipe noise, well pump and piping noises, and water heater noises.

Checklist of Plumbing System Sounds in Buildings

Note: separately at PLUMBING SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE you will find a complete catalog of sources of noises in buildings that are traced to plumbing systems and equipment: controls, drain or supply pipes, faucets, fixtures, switches, and equipment such as sump pumps, septic pumps or water pumps.

Watch out: to avoid damage or in rare cases unsafe conditions, some of these sounds require prompt action, such as a water pump that won't shut off.

Turn off such equipment right away. Urgent action is also needed to stop building flooding of sewage backup or to shut down other equipment that may be unsafe.

These noise groups are ordered alphabetically. Also use your browser's FIND function (Ctrl-F or CMD-F) to search for your own noise keywords in this article.

Banging, Clanging, Hammering Plumbing Noises

• Water hammer noise: banging or clanking sounds when water faucets are shut off or even when water is running.
  
  Try partly closing a water supply valve - if the sound stops it's most likely water hammer.
  
  See WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE for detailed diagnostic and repair steps.
  
• Steam heating systems can cause this nose
  
  See BANGING HEATING PIPES RADIATORS
  
  and BANGING HEATING ZONE VALVES


• Water Tank Noises: clanks, bangs and other sounds traced to the water pressure tank:
  
  See WATER TANK NOISE DIAGNOSIS

Buzzing or Vibration Noises in Pipes

• Plumbing Supply Piping Noise: vibration, buzz, hum:
  
  vibration from a well pump or other pumps (such as a hot water circulating pump) are readily transmitted through metal and even some plastic plumbing pipes.
  
  Wherever water piping is attached to the building such as to wall studs or floor/ceiling joists, the vibration is readily transmitted to the wall or floor structure in a manner that makes that whole assembly act as a giant loud speaker.
  
  Hot water heating system pipe buzzing noises are explained
  
  at HEATING SYSTEM BUZZING NOISE
  
  Use sound-isolating plumbing pipe mounting clamps,
  
  foam pipe wrap under clamps, neoprene pipe clamps (less effective) or similar resilient pipe support products to isolate the water piping from the structure itself at each attachment point.
  
  The use of sound-isolating resilient supports for plumbing piping is key in reducing plumbing noises from piping.
  
  According to the Canadian CNRC, "Noise reductions up to about 15 dBA can be obtained relative to systems where no resilient mounts are used for pipes."
  
  At Technical Reviewers we list some sources of resilient pipe clamps and plumbing support systems. CONTACT us to add to that list (no fees involved).
• In new construction route plumbing pipes
  
   on a path that keeps them away from bedrooms and dining or sitting areas. If a plumbing drain must be run through one of these areas, especially when using plastic drain piping (noisier than cast-iron) you will need to sound-insulate the pipe chase.
• Buzzing is also transmitted through piping or tubing from electric motors that may be part of a plumbing system.
  
  See OIL LINE BUZZ & VIBRATION CURE

Details about all sources of buzzing noises in buildings are

at BUZZING NOISE DIAGNOSIS - topic home

Clanging Noises in Heating Systems or Water Supply Systems

Possible causes of clanging noises include:

• Water hammer noise: banging or clanking sounds when water faucets are shut off or even when water is running.
  
  Try partly closing a water supply valve - if the sound stops it's most likely water hammer.
  
  This noise may be perceived as occurring anywhere in the building where noises may be transmitted by water pipes, and may be due to sudden turning on or off of water flow.
  
  See WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE for detailed diagnostic and repair steps.
  
  See WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING - for cause & cure of rapid on-off cycling of a water pump: a possible cause of water hammer clanging noises.
  
• Steam heating systems can cause this nose
  
  See BANGING HEATING PIPES RADIATORS
  
  and BANGING HEATING ZONE VALVES

Clanking & Rumbling Noises at the Water Heater

• Water heater noises:
  
  These might be normal, but scale formation in a water heater can increase the sound of clanking, popping, rumbling or on electric water heaters, hissing.
  
  WATER HEATER NOISES where we explain the clanking, rumbling, popping, or hissing noises that may be traced to a water heater problem.
• Water Tank Noises:
  
  clanks, bangs, other sounds traced to the water storage tank or water pressure tank:
  
  See WATER TANK NOISE DIAGNOSIS

Clicking Snapping Noises in Plumbing Systems

• A water pump relay may click occasionally or the water tank is waterlogged it may click rapidly - the pump is short cycling on and off if
  
  See WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH NOISES
• Electrical relays or controls on other plumbing equipment such as spa and hot tub pumps may also click or snap as may some heating controls
  
  Examples include appliances that operate with solenoid valves such as washing machines
  
  See WASHING MACHINE NOISE CAUSE & CURE
  
  
• Heat-related noises: Clicking snapping sounds when heat is rising in hot water heating baseboards or radiators may be traced to thermal expansion of pipes passing through the building

Clunk or Thunk sounds in Plumbing Systems

• A "thunk" or "clunk" sound heard around the water pressure tank or water pressure tank controls can be caused by check valve, control, or piping troubles.
  
  See WATER PUMP NOISE DIAGNOSIS for details.

Crashing Whooshing Noises at Toilets

• Some pressure-assist toilets make an impressive crash or whoosh sound when flushed. That's normal.
  
  See our discussion of power-assist-flush toilets
  
  at LOW WATER USAGE / POWER FLUSH TOILETS

Dripping Sounds from Plumbing 

• Drips at plumbing fixtures may make an obvious drip or splash sound. But dripping water can be tricky to track down. Don't forget to consider
  • A small supply leak inside of a building cavity can produce a noise that is hard to track down.
    
    Supply pipe leaks may be continuous (and thus are eventually discovered by water stains or mold) or intermittent, such as a leak around a tub or shower control that drips into the wall cavity only when the valve is turned "on".
  • A drain piping leak inside of a building cavity can also produce a noise that is hard to track down.
    
    But a drain drip noise should not be present when no fixtures have water running into them. But don't forget that a quietly running toilet can also produce a drip or other plumbing problems downstream from the toilet in the building drain piping.
  • Plumbing drain piping or plumbing fixture noise diagnosis and cure -
    
    see PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE DIAGNOSIS,
    
    and
    See PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE REPAIR.
    
    Also see NOISE CONTROL for PLUMBING where we describe reducing the annoying sounds of normal plumbing system piping and fixtures.
• Heating system dripping noises make a cameo appearance in our list of plumbing dripping noises because some pipe or fixture noises may be traced to heating system piping, radiators, controls, pumps, etc.
  
  See NOISE DIAGNOSIS, HEATING SYSTEM

Gurgling Plumbing System Noises

• Plumbing drain noises 
  
  at drains, gurgling, glug glug sounds, burbling, bubbling during drainage -
  
  see PLUMBING VENT DEFECTS & NOISES
  
  and
  see CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR.
• Running water in the building 
  
  that is unanticipated or intermittent cycling water pump (private well systems) can produce intermittent water pipe gurgling or running water sounds
  
  see INTERMITTENT CYCLING WATER PUMPS.
• If a toilet is running there may be rippling water sounds, drip sounds (into the main drain waste vent line), and occasional cycling of a water pump if the building is connected to a private well system. Fix the running toilet.
  
  See TOILET RUNS CONTINUOUSLY
  
  Toilet flush noises in drain piping:
  
  such as burbling or gurgling noises at the toilet or at nearby drains are corrected by fixing slow or blocked drains or by finding and fixing missing or clogged plumbing vents.
• Plumbing vent piping-caused plumbing system noises and odors -
  
  At PLUMBING DRAIN VENTS we explain the basics of proper plumbing vent piping and how errors cause trap siphonage, odors, and noises.

  PLUMBING VENT NOISE gives details about the causes & cures for noises traced to the plumbing vent system.

  Also see PLUMBING DRAIN NOISES

  Also see CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR.

  See NOISE CONTROL for PLUMBING for a discussion about insulation and sound proofing of building plumbing

  Also see WINTERIZE A BUILDING - how to protect a building and its plumbing and mechanical systems from freeze damage, how to shut down a building to minimize damage; how to de-winterize a building.

• Water Tank Noises:
  
  burbling, gurgling, and other sounds traced to the water tank, even bubbling, creaking, hisses, clicks, bangs, and motor sounds
  
  See WATER TANK NOISE DIAGNOSIS

Hissing, Whistling, Whining Noise in Plumbing Systems

Check for water running somewhere inside or outside the building.

Check for air or water leaking out of a pressure tank, boiler, or steam boiler, steam piping, or steam radiator (normal if at the steam vent).

• Leaks in water pipes outside of the building but in water supply piping coming to the building from a municipal water main or city water piping can produce a humming, hissing, or ringing sound in the building.
  
  If you turn off the main water shutoff at the building and listen with a mechanic's stethoscope to the water pipes on the street side of the shutoff valve, comparing this sound to pipes in the building you can identify this problem.
  
  See WATER SUPPLY / DRAIN PIPE LEAK TYPES
  
  and
  see WELL PIPING LEAK DIAGNOSIS.
• Plumbing Supply piping noises: hiss, whistle, whine: Plumbing noise that include a high-pitched hissing or whistling sound may be heard as water runs through building supply piping.
  
  This sound should stop immediately when you turn off any fixture that is running water in the building.
  
  You may be able to stop or reduce plumbing supply piping noise by changing the water system pressure at a municipal water supply valve. Try first just slightly reducing the incoming water pressure.
  
  See WATER SUPPLY PIPE WHISTLE NOISE for details.
• Water heater hissing can be due to scale formation on the heater bottom or particularly on the heating electrodes in an electric water heater, geyser, or calorifier.
• Water Tank Noises: hissing and other sounds may be traced to the water storage tank or water pressure tank:
  
  Hissing noise of air escaping at water tanks:
  
  Otherwise there is a problem putting too much air into the water tank.
  
  See WATER TANK AIR VOLUME CONTROLS.
  
  See WATER TANK NOISE DIAGNOSIS

For other sources of hissing noises in buildings.

see HISSING SOUNDS in BUILDINGS

Honking plumbing system noises

If your plumbing system sometimes sounds like Canada Geese are rummaging around in your attic or flying in a circle over your home, the honking noise, also called "fog horn sounds" or wailing water pipes may be caused by vibration of an internal valve part, even something as simple as a loose faucet washer or a worn toilet tank fill valve.

Listen carefully to track the noise to its source, or simply try shutting off the water supply to building appliances (dishwasher, clothes washer, whirlpool bath, toilets, etc.) until you notice that one (it's often just one) of these is causing that oboe noise.

That's the valve or part to repair or replace.

Mysterious plumbing sounds

Hard-to-describe plumbing sounds may be coming from a remote point in the building but transmitted by metal piping or conduit.

Try turning off equipment and then water controls, one by one when the sound is present.

See also GHOST NOISES in BUILDINGS

See also SOUND CONTROL for PLUMBING.

Screaming Shrieking noises in plumbing

See WATER SUPPLY PIPE WHISTLE NOISE

Whirring electric motor noises

• Any pump that runs continuously can emit a range of sounds from whirring to high pitched whine.
  
  Pump noise levels vary by brand, model, and condition of the motor. But a change in pump noise may indicate that the pump is running dry (turn it off immediately) or that its bearings are failing.
  
  For water pump noise see WATER PUMP NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  
  For other pump types

  See PUMPS USED in BUILDINGS - catalog of types of pumps found in buildings

  See SPA / HOT TUB PUMP OPERATION - noisy hot tub pumps

  See SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS pumps that produce noise in the building

• SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS may include pumps that produce noise in the building - see Pump Noises above.
• Water Pump Noises: see our complete diagnostic list
  
  at WATER PUMP NOISE DIAGNOSIS
  
  Also see WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH NOISES and
  
  see CHATTERING RELAYS, PUMP SWITCH found in that article
  
  Also seeWATER PUMP / SWITCH NOISE FAQs

Whistling Shrieking Noises in Plumbing Systems

• Whistling noises are often a shrill or horrible shriek caused by water running through supply piping at a specific velocity that sets up a high frequency vibration.
  
  See WATER SUPPLY PIPE WHISTLE NOISE

Pump Noise Diagnosis: Clicks, Hums, Rattles, Bangs & Screams from Water & Well Pumps

Water pump noises and their discussion about finding the cause and cure have moved to their own page

at WATER PUMP NOISE DIAGNOSIS

 

 

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2022-03-15 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - Hard to identify source of ticking sound in wall tied to running hot water

@Dean,

Is there a pressure regulator that may be cycling ?

On 2022-03-15 by Dean

Confirmed there is a vent pipe running up the wall where the noise is. There is a drain plug on the outside wall of the kitchen where the vent line runs. the supply lines are all PEX type hoses ... not copper pipe.

The noise is almost rhythmic when it happens and only occurs when the hot water is running... not cold.

also, no changes have been made with the kitchen plumbing in over a year. New faucet assembly about a year ago. New dishwasher about 3 years ago. No visible signs of leaks under the sink at any drain piping or water supply lines.

On 2022-03-14 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - Ticking sounds traced to plumbing piping

@Dean,

Ticking sounds traced to plumbing piping suggest to me either a drip somewhere (a leak) or thermal expansion/contraction.

If the sound is new, I ask: "What's changed?"

On 2022-03-14 by Dean

Water supply is ground fed from the street. City water. No pump. No visible signs of leaks anywhere.

There MAY be a vent pipe running up the wall from the kitchen to the roof. I'll need to climb into the attic to verify. Thanks for your response.

On 2022-03-11 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - when run kitchen water we heare tapping or ticking type sound coming from the wall of the upstairs bedroom

@Dean,

That's odd, I agree.

HOw is water delivered to the kitchen? Do pipes arrive from above? Is there a pump running?

Is there a plumbing vent pipe running through the area where you hear the noise?

Are there any signs of leaks: stains in ceilings or walls?

On 2022-03-10 by Dean

With the dishwasher or the kitchen faucet (or both at the same time) , we hear a tapping or ticking type sound coming from the wall of the upstairs bedroom. The bedroom is located above the kitchen. The sound is only present in the corner of the room at the wall where the sink and dishwasher are installed downstairs.

Any Ideas? Thanks in advance.

On 2022-03-07 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - Have a professional use a power snake to investigate slow flowing drains and sewer smell

@susette Dunlop,

It's worth having a professional drain cleaning company run a power snake through your drains. Often an experienced operator can tell by the feel whether there's actual collapsed pipe or other damage.

It might also be worth sending a sewer line camera through the main drain after the drain has been cleared. You can check for cracked or broken sewer lines.

On 2022-03-07 by susette Dunlop

We have a 15 year old house connected to public sewer system. We have been experiencing intermittent "slow" toliets in 3 of our most used bathrooms that I attributed to too much of the wrong type of toliet paper (too thick) and after waiting awhile you can usually flush it again and all goes down.

However about 7 days ago I noticed a sewage smell in the hall that is next to the 1st floor bath and the open stairs to the finished basement. It got stronger and spread into a wider area and then we realized that the HVAC system was spreading it all over the first floor. Yhe sewage smell is definitely strongest in the back utility room in the basement - nearest the first wall as you walk into that room.

We just paid $2000 to have some sewer pipe replaced but when tjhey opened it up, it was clean - so that was a waste of money. So I don;t know if I should have roto-rooter come to check things out (not sure what diagnostic tools, processes they have) or pay to have American Leak Detection come (minimum of$775 for two guys to do diagnostic tests (smoke, pressure, cameras)to see where a leak is occuring.

Or should i climb the roof to see if our sewer vent(s) some how got clogged.

Lastly, I will say that after shortly after pouring a higher strength vinegar down the toliet on 1st floor where odor started, after a Not so complete flush the remaining small amount of water suddenly went WHOOSH!, and the contents were sucked out rapidly (much like a power assisted toliet).

I was startled but soon told myself that maybe it "cleared out" a semi clog and maybe our odor issue would be gone. No. Odor still here although not as strong as the worst days, we definitely still have an issue. help. plz.

On 2021-07-13 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - Water heater is leaking

@Anonymous,

That sounds like a leak from the bottom of your water heater.

It would make sense to turn the heater off and to turn off water entering the heater.

You may still hear the sound for a while but if it slows and eventually stops you have made an emergency solution to the problem.

If it's not a burst pipe or bad connection and it's actually the heater, then the heater will need to be replaced.

Don't leave it on because it could be unsafe.

On 2021-07-13 by Anonymous

My hot water heatere sounds like water is rushing through it and now its running under the house, whats wrong?

On 2021-05-12 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - Whining sound when faucet is turned off

@Randy Hiatt,

Perhaps turning up building "pressure" changes the flow rate and thus is producing a whistling noise, (or whining sound) that's a velocity problem.

See WATER SUPPLY PIPE WHISTLE NOISE for suggested diagnostic steps and possible cure details.

On 2021-05-11 by Randy Hiatt

When the water is turned off (any faucet) I get a whining sound that last for 20-30 seconds. If I turn up the pressure on my PRV the whining happens again for about the same time. I have replaced the PRV and it didn't solve the problem. My pressure is set to about 60.

On 2021-04-28 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - sound of water draining - is our sink installed improperly?

@Apollo2019,

I agree that that's baffling. We need to see what appliance is producing water that's being sent into your drain, common example would be a dishwasher in its rinse cycle.

On 2021-04-27 by Apollo2019

Our kitchen sink is backwards from how I think it should be hooked up. The large sink is on the left and has the main drain. The smaller sink on the right has the disposal and dishwasher which connects to the main drain. All of a sudden we've begun to hear water draining into the main drain.

We use the smaller sink when we run the facet. It occurs sometime hours after we've run the facet. The drain is clear as we don't have any water backing up in either sink at anytime.

What could be causing this to happen? If we need to locate anything not located under the sink please indicate where would we find it.

On 2021-04-12 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - Tracking down cause of humming noise

@Peter,

HUMMING NOISES in BUILDINGS

has a more-extensive list of things to check.

And you might try the page top EXPERTS DIRECTORY - there are some home or environmental inspectors who have equipment and who are experienced in tracking down sources of noises.

On 2021-04-12 by Peter

We have a persistent humming / vibration type noise within our house. It sounds mechanical and can occasionally stop. A plumber has suggested that it is pipes but we can turn off all house services (electricity at the mains board, water at the street meter, tank storage LPG heating) and it doesn't stop.

The water company says it isn't them!! It is most apparent from late evening throughout the night but it is almost inaudible outside so we have no idea of the source. Any suggestions please and/or can you recommend a company that can come and experience this and hopefully track the source??

On 2021-04-10 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - Finding the cause of whistling noise in water supply

@Pam, typically the water pipe whistling noise issue is a combination of velocity of water in the pipes and oddities of pipe diameters, routings, bends, surface conditions;

See WATER SUPPLY PIPE WHISTLE NOISE for diagnosis and cure details.

On 2021-04-10 by Pam

Shower “whistles” a loud annoying high pitch shrill sound, sometimes, when commode is flushed in nearby bathroom. We bled the pipes thinking it was air in the lines, still does it. Help!

On 2021-03-29 - by (mod) -

@Tio Esh, without more work tracing the noise you hear to its source or a better characterization of its nature I can't tell for sure but it's possible that you were hearing the noise of a pump running.

On 2021-03-28 by Tio Esh

When I flush The toilet and when I use The sink in the same bathroom, I hear A rhythmic sound in the walls or under the house. Does not occur if using kitchen sink. Checked basement and can’t find signs of any leaking. What is causing this weird sound?

On 2021-03-10 by Anonymous

not freezing anymore. It was cold and rainy for a good amount of time. Recently it’s been warming up and no rain for about a week. I had assumed it was precipitation from the roof but after multiple no-rain day, we were surprised to hear it come back.

On 2021-03-10 - by (mod) - we hear a drip noise behind the toilet

@Katie,

Are you in a freezing climate? You might be hearing frost melting and dripping in the vent pipe.

On 2021-03-10 by Katie

We have a well and septic system. We’ll often hear a drip behind the toilet- it sounds like it’s in the wall. It’ll be random and inconsistent. We’ll hear it taper off then go away completely.

On 2021-02-12 by (mod) - loud sound like a cork popping or the slamming of a bin lid outside

Jackie

You are asking an important safety question but not one that I can, with any confidence, diagnose from a brief text message.

It is at least possible that you are hearing a sound that indicates an unsafe condition, such as methane gas explosions.

Of course you might be hearing a sound traced to thermal movement of materials in cold or changing temperatures, or of course again, to something else.

Since the noise is coming from what we think is a sewer line, give your city or town or county sewer authority a call, describe what you hear, and ask if they'll consider a safety inspection.

Keep us posted - as what you're told may help other readers.

On 2021-02-12 by Jackie

There seems to be a loud sound like a cork popping or the slamming of a bin lid outside .i think its comming from either the manhole cover or drains inbetween our house and next doors.this has been happening now for about 6 weeks i probably hear it about 6 times usually during the day .someone else hear it and said it sounded like a firework and said it was comming from tne side of our house.Is tbis dangerous i dont know what to do

On 2021-01-10 by (mod) - bathroom sink sounds like it’s draining into toilet.

Anon

Follow the drain piping; look for a partly-blocked drain that has standing water into which sink drainage is spilling.

On 2021-01-10 by Anonymous

When running bathroom sink tap it sounds like it’s draining into toilet.

On 2020-09-18 by (mod) - when I flush the toilet the water coming in is louder AND at the end of the flush there is a sighing sound and then it finishes.

I suspect your plumbing system water pressure has increased - and you're using a power-flush toilet.

On 2020-09-18 by Mary Dittner

Hi. Just recently when I flush the toilet the water coming in is louder AND at the end of the flush there is a sighing sound and then it finishes.

On 2020-08-06 - by (mod) - Just a rushing wind constant sound in the drain,

I would check for a leak such as a running toilet I turning off fixtures one by one. If that makes no difference I would try installing an elbow on top of the vent outside facing away from the window to see if that affects the sound..

On 2020-08-06 by TIMOTHY LIDDLE

Question: I have one sink in my house that has a constant sound of rushing wind. No water running. Sink operates fine. No noises caused by water running.

Just a rushing wind constant sound in the drain, when off. No other drain in the house has this, including the other sink in the same room. This sound just started (just noticed) 2-weeks ago. This is 24/7 sound. It can be silenced (muffled) by closing the drain plug stopper.

On 2020-07-14 - by (mod) -

I'm going to give this more thought.

Meanwhile you might consider buying a mechanic's stethoscope to see if you can pinpoint The Sound Source

On 2020-07-13 by Anonymous

No, my house does not use a water pump and I tried closing both the main supply valve a little and the one controlling the watering system as well. Didn't seem to help...

On 2020-07-13 - by (mod) - Whining sounds after toilet is flushed

I can't say whether that noise is due to water velocity in piping, and obstruction somewhere in a valve, or a pump noise. I'm not sure that your home uses of water pump. You could try an experiment by slightly closing a supply valve to change the water velocity. Let me know what happens.

On 2020-07-13 by Jim

Whining sounds after toilet is flushed -same sound but louder and longer when sprinkler system starts. Only on one side of the house-other toilet does not make any noise. Sprinkler system is on the same side as the main water system.
Thank You!

On 2020-03-04 by Anonymous

Check for a toilet that's leaking at the flush valve. A slow leak can cause occasional re-fills that you might hear.

On 2020-03-03 by Elaine - soft sigh sound after flushing toilet

Yes, it sounds like a soft sigh (at least mine does). I've heard it after flushing the toilet, but now it seems to just happen spontaneously in the middle of the night with no one using any plumbing. Just a brief sigh, which sounded like the heat coming on -- but it wasn't.

On 2020-01-2 - by (mod) - swooshing drain noise sound: can it be fixed?

Kathy

Most things on buildings can be fixed, the devil is in the details of

- diagnosing the problem so as to fix successfully

Is this a toilet flushing, a flush valve that leaks, something else using water?

If the water use is normal and there's no ongoing leakage then you may need to get access to the noisy drain line and add sound insulation.

On 2020-01-26 by Kathy

We moved into a new house on a flat lot. At regular intervals we can hear what sounds like water swooshing all around the main floor then it stops with a very loud thump. Now when the thump stops we can hear water run on. The intervals are getting closer together .

Can this be fixed? It’s embarassing and we have never heard these noises on any other house. Please help

On 2020-01-08 - by (mod) - sounds like air is flowing through my bathroom sink?

Andrea that sounds odd to me, too.

1. Take a look under the sink: is there a drain trap - a "U" shaped or "P" shaped bend in the drain line right under the sink? If so then there is a drain trap (which is required by code).

2. If there is a drain trap it would normally be filled with water after the sink has been used. (This prevents leaks of sewer gas back up the drain system and into the home).

3. Does the trap gurgle or make noise if you flush a nearby toilet ? If so you may be losing the water trap in the sink and that in turn would tell us that the building vent piping is either blocked or improperly installed.

4. If a drain line is not trapped or the trap is dry you might hear air noises, e.g. from wind blowing over the vent or from other fixtures draining and sucking air in through your dry sink trap.

On 2020-01-08 by Andrea

Why does it sound like air is flowing through my bathroom sink? It is draining just fine, but it almost sounds like there is a constant fan on or like a vent on. There is not a gurgling sound. It just sounds like air is flowing through it.

On 2019-12-27 - by (mod) - pinging/ticking from pipes as they expand and contract

Vlad please post just once - we already have thousands of reader questions to answer.

https://inspectapedia.com/heat/Air_Removal_Valve.php#QA

On 2019-12-27 by Vlad

I have lived in this one family house for 10 years, with 3 separate hot water baseboard heat zones, in winter I have always heard pinging/ticking from pipes as they expand and contract. This winter is the first time I am hearing this new bang/noise/shudder/tremble from water heating pipes.

These 1-2 loud bangs are followed by a tremble that reverberates throughout the house perimeter. I can hear these bangs about a second before I hear the sound of what sounds like a valve being closed, and then all goes quiet again until heat is called for again.

It seems like at least 2 zones are experiencing these bangs, one zone being much louder than the other. I have drained all zones to be air free. What else should I look at? Thanks for the help. Vlad.

...

Continue reading  at PLUMBING SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE - home or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see PLUMBING NOISE CHECKLIST FAQs - Q&A posted originally on this page

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES
• DEVELOPMENTS in NOISE CONTROL an NRCC document, other suggestions for building noise control discussing block wall noise transmission, plumbing noises, and some general theory.
• NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE how to locate the source of, identify and correct various building sounds and noises indoors or on occasion, noises from outside that penetrate indoors at annoying levels.
• PLUMBING NOISE CHECKLIST
• PLUMBING SYSTEM NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE - home
• BANGING HEATING PIPES RADIATORS
• CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
• DRIPPING WATER SOUND Sources
• PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE DIAGNOSIS
• PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE REPAIR
• PLUMBING NOISE TRANSMISSION CONTROL
• PLUMBING SUPPLY PIPE NOISE
• PLUMBING VENT CODES, DEFINITIONS, TYPES
• PLUMBING VENT DEFECTS & NOISES
• PLUMBING VENT NOISE
• WASHING MACHINE NOISE CAUSE & CURE
• WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE
• WATER HEATER NOISE DIAGNOSIS, CURE
• WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH NOISES
• WATER PUMP NOISE DIAGNOSIS
• WATER SUPPLY PIPE WHISTLE NOISE
• WATER TANK NOISE DIAGNOSIS
• PLUMBING SYSTEM NOISE SOURCES
• PLUMBING VENT PIPING

Suggested citation for this web page

PLUMBING NOISE CHECKLIST at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS

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Or see

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to PLUMBING SYSTEMS

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

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