Banging Pipes: 3 Common Causes and What You Need to Do

There is nothing more annoying and alarming than hearing noises coming from your home’s pipes. The chances are that there’s a problem with your plumbing system that’s causing your water pipes to bang together.

As alarming as it may be, it’s crucial to take a step back and assess your situation. After all, there are various reasons as to why it’s happening—and by isolating the root cause, you can find some practical solutions to resolve it!

In this article, we’ll cover three common plumbing issues that may be causing the banging sounds. Once you’ve finally found the source of the sound, it’s in your best interest to call a reputable plumbing service near you.

1. Water hammers

This situation occurs when the water in it is forced to change direction rather quickly. As a result, the water hits the line, causing it to rattle and produce sounds. Try to check the sources that move large portions of water, such as your washing machine or toilet. Take note of whether the sudden change of water direction will cause the noise.

When confronted with this problem, the best solution is to install air chambers around your house. These serve to act as a cushion in preventing water from changing direction when reaching the pipe’s edges. These chambers will slowly fill water, at which point you can fill them with air again.

2. Loose pipes

Loose pipes are another problem that can produce the banging noises in the system. When these aren’t securely set in place, the water running inside creates friction, causing the pipes to move. As the pipes move, they can hit against the walls, causing the banging noise that your hear. It is for this reason that your home’s pipes should be securely strapped in place when they’re installed!

When faced with this problem, the only solution is to reattach your loose pipes and ensure they are firmly secured. To do this, first, look for the mounting straps. Second, add some rubber pipe insulation and strap the pipe back into place once you have access. Third, wrap some foam padding around the nearest accessible part if you can’t access the actual banging line. If all these don’t work, it’s best to call an expert plumber to remedy the situation.

3. High water pressure

High water pressure is another reason that can cause banging pipes. At its base, having a high water pressure is normal; but if your pipes are old and subject to too much pressure, it can compromise the line and cause further damage to your system.

Having water rushing into your appliances at a very high speed can cause them to break down, too. As a result, you’ll have to deal with costly repairs or even replacements of your pipelines and water fixtures.

The best thing to do is to check your pressure regulator. Simply check the area where your water supply gets into your home; the gauge should be near there! Once you’ve found it, ensure to regulate the flow of water properly. If you don’t have a regulator installed, contact a plumber to have one installed immediately!

Conclusion

At this point, we’ve covered some plumbing issues associated with banging sounds—water hammers, loose pipes, and high water pressure. Be sure to absorb the valuable information discussed above and follow the solutions meant to address the problems.

If you follow these steps, and yet the symptoms persist, it’s best to get in touch with an expert plumber. This professional is trained to fix your pipes and ensure the banging sound won’t happen ever again!

Are you looking for emergency plumbing services around the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley? At Bromac Mechanical, we’re ready to offer some plumbing solutions, whether you need plumbing repairs or replacements. We cater to all your heating, air conditioning, and plumbing needs. Get in touch with our emergency plumbers for our top-notch services!