Strange noises around the house aren’t that uncommon an occurrence, especially since they’re usually one-off occurrences or from nature or what have you. It’s when they are consistent that it becomes a problem you should seek to remedy, such as your pipes banging when using your appliances. Your pipes banging when using your appliances, especially if it is a consistent nuisance, is something that you should call your local plumber to come out and inspect as soon as possible.
Left alone, that annoying banging can lead to more serious problems with your plumbing down the line. This is because that banging can wear your pipes down and result in expensive damages. It’s best for your sanity and your plumbing to have banging in your pipes investigated and fixed sooner rather than later. Here’s what you need to know about the culprits behind your pipes banging when using your appliances and what you can do about it.
Common Reasons Behind Pipes Banging When Using Your Appliances
Your pipes aren’t supposed to bang when you use your appliances, nor make any strange noises at all. This banging noise indicates a problem with your pipes that can be caused by a number of factors. You’ll typically hear this when you’re running hot or cold water or after shutting the water off, though the banging can also happen randomly when you aren’t using your appliances, in some cases.
Some of the more common reasons behind pipes banging when using your appliances are:
- High Water Pressure
Probably the most common culprit for banging pipes, if your water pressure is too high, this can cause your pipes to protest via banging. Most homes have pressure regulators on their water supplies, but if this isn’t functioning properly, it can result in high water pressure. This doesn’t just make your pipes bang, it can also damage your appliances that utilize water, such as your dishwasher.
- Worn Valves
Your pipes are equipped with stop valves that can cause rattling when they get worn down between the valve handle and loose or worn washers or gland packing.
- Clogged Air Chambers
If your pipes banging when using your appliances comes out of nowhere, this could be because the air chambers in your water system have been clogged. This often occurs from sediment buildup or water, and can make it so that the air chambers don’t absorb the pressure from the water in your system, and ergo bang.
- Fast-Acting Valves
A common reason why pipes bang is valves on your appliances that cause an abrupt stop to the water flow in your pipes. This causes a shockwave through the pipes, making them bang. The banging can worsen as the valves get worn down from the pressure.
- Water Ripples In Your Tank
The float valve inside your water tank can rock up and down when water flow into it, making it so that the valve is constantly opening and closing, which causing banging in your pipes.
- Loose Pipes
Another of the most common reasons for pipes banging when using your appliances, if your pipes aren’t secured properly, even the smallest shockwave of how water moves through them can make them bang. Having a plumber come out to secure them properly should resolve this right away.
There are other potential reasons why your pipes bang when you use your appliances, these are just some of the more common ones. If you’re experiencing this problem, call S & B Plumbing to have one of our expert plumbers come out and inspect the issue so it can be fixed as soon as possible.
How To Fix Banging Pipes
Banging pipes are more than just annoying, they can also wear down your plumbing system and cause significant damage over time. Luckily, this is a very fixable issue. Some of the most common ways to fix banging pipes include:
- Securing them properly
- Installing a water-pressure regulator
- Installing or fixing an air chamber
- Wrapping your pipes in insulation
- Installing shock arrestors
- Fixing your appliances
The fix your pipes will need will depend on what’s causing the banging. If your pipes are banging, it’s time to call an experienced plumber to come out, diagnose, and treat the problem.
Are Your Pipes Banging When Using Your Appliances?
S & B Plumbing knows just how annoying it can be when your pipes bang whenever you use your appliances. We can help you maintain your sanity and keep your plumbing system in good condition. If your pipes are banging, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll have one of our experts come out and get that problem fixed as soon as possible.