Friday, June 4th, 2021

Things that go rattle in the night: If you hear these sounds, it’s time to call the plumber

Sometimes a strange sound coming from the bathroom, kitchen – or anywhere else in the home where there’s plumbing – is the big giveaway that there’s a problem. So, when you hear these sounds below, don’t wait to call a plumber! 

The screaming faucet
We all know that old familiar screeching sound that can happen when you turn on a faucet, especially in an older home. In fact, if your faucets haven’t been replaced in a while, you may be quite familiar with this noise. 

Some folks think that the telltale sound is from high water pressure, but in actuality, it’s usually from an old, defective, or loose part of the faucet that needs to be replaced or repaired. Your best bet in this case is to simply replace the faucet, which is typically less expensive than having it repaired by a plumber. 

Gurgle in the drains
We plumbers know from experience that homeowners often ignore the sound of gurgling in the drains. But the gurgling noise is actually the first clue that a clog is forming in the pipes. It can also be a sign that air pockets are forming in the drain. 

Even if your drains and pipes appear to be working just fine, it’s important to get the gurling sound checked out by a plumber. Failing to do so can lead to a more extensive repair. 

Banging pipes
Many people hear banging pipes and get a bit spooked, and frankly, we do too – but not for the same reason. When we hear banging pipes, we think less about haunted houses and more about misfiring valves. You see, the banging you’re hearing probably has to do with a valve shutting off too fast. This create air pockets in the pipes that fill with water quickly. When you hear this sound, it’s your clue to call the plumber to inspect and replace the valve. 

Toilet rumbling
You know how sometimes you flush the toilet only to hear it rumble or, as some might say, run? Toilets can rumble and run for several minutes after you flush them (and no, jiggling the handle is not going to fix it). Usually, the culprit is the small valve located in the tank called the toilet fill valve. Sometimes, the valve simply misfires and doesn’t quite refill the toilet the way it should. 

Often, the problem will remedy itself and you won’t have to replace the valve. If it happens consistently, or if your toilet is older, it may be time to replace the toilet fill valve (or the entire toilet). 

Rattling pipes
We get calls about rattling pipes regularly. Usually, the sound is from pipes that simply aren’t secure enough. The first step in fixing this issue is to tighten or replace the pipe fixtures. If that doesn’t do the trick, you may need to have the pipes replaced. If that’s the case, you’ll need to work with a plumber who can do the job correctly. 

Remember:
Allied Reddi-Rooter is here to get to the root of why you’re hearing all those noises. Whether it’s banging, clanging, or a little bit of both, we can address and fix the problem quickly. Give us a call or Contact today! We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.  You can follow us on Facebook, @Allied Reddi-Rooter for the latest tips or to ask us a question.