How To Fix Noisy Water Pipes (6 Common Causes)

Noisy water pipes? Now you can finally keep them silent!

Everyone looks forward to a silent nights rest. But imagine waking up in the midnight to get a glass of water, and on getting to the tap, turning it on led to loud noises – like an orchestra is in your home – waking up everyone in the house. Noisy pipes when running water is not just a loud inconvenience that sounds horrible. What is it doing to your pipes! Can knocking or whistling pipes be dangerous? The sound may be scary at times, but the real danger is if it leads to a burst water pipes and subsequent water damage to your home’s floors, walls and foundations.

You obviously cannot keep up with this annoying and potentially costly situation, and you want to shut these noisy pipes up as soon as possible. Now you can by following this guide!

Why Are My Water Pipes Making Noise?

First up, these noises can be caused by different issues – each producing different sounds. Below are the most common causes of noisy water pipes in the home:

Water hammering – pipes making a banging noise when water is turned off.
Loose piping – pipes making a rattling noise when water is running.
Worn out ballcock assembly – rattling or banging sound at the end of the filling cycle.
A faulty main shut off valve – Whistling or squealing pipe noises when water is running.
Worn-out washers – whistling or squealing water pipe when a tap is on.
Sediment buildup – whistling or humming noise when water is running.

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Now, let’s take a look at each of these issues causing your water pipes to squeal, hum, bang, rattle and just make hideous noises shaking the peace and quiet in your home. We’ll also cover how to fix squealing or knocking water pipes depending on the cause.

Water Hammering From Air in Pipes

If you’ve ever turned off a tap and heard a loud banging or knocking noise from your pipes, you’re experiencing water hammer, a common plumbing issue caused by sudden pressure changes in the system.

Water flows through your pipes under pressure, moving with force toward the outlet. When you turn off a tap or an appliance valve quickly, the water has nowhere to go, and the momentum creates a shockwave inside the pipes. This sudden pressure surge can cause pipes to vibrate or “hammer” against walls, fittings, or other pipes, leading to loud noises and potential damage over time.

In older plumbing systems, air chambers—short vertical sections of pipe installed near taps—were used to absorb these pressure surges. When working correctly, they act as cushions, softening the impact and preventing loud noises. However, over time, these chambers can fill with water, reducing their effectiveness and allowing water hammer to occur.

Modern homes often use water hammer arrestors, which are mechanical devices designed to absorb the shock and prevent banging pipes. If you’re experiencing persistent water hammer, it may be time to reset your air chambers or install an arrestor for a more permanent solution.

How to Fix Water Hammer by Resetting Air Chambers

If your pipes are banging due to water hammer, one of the simplest and most effective DIY fixes is to reset the air chambers in your plumbing system. Over time, these chambers can fill with water, losing their ability to absorb the shock from sudden water flow stoppages. Flushing the system can help restore the air pockets and prevent the hammering effect.

Follow these steps to reset the air chambers in your pipes:

Turn Off the Main Water Supply

Locate your home’s main water shutoff valve, typically found near the water meter, under the sink, or outside along the main water line.
Turn the valve clockwise (right) to shut off the water supply completely.

Drain the Plumbing System

Open all taps in the house, starting with the highest level (such as an upstairs bathroom) and working your way down to the lowest level.
This includes sinks, bathtubs, showers, and outdoor taps.
Don’t forget appliances like dishwashers and washing machines—if possible, run a brief cycle to drain any remaining water.

Flush Toilets

Flush all the toilets in your home to empty the cisterns and clear any water left in the pipes.

Leave the Taps Open for 15-30 Minutes

Allow enough time for the water to drain completely. This will let air enter the vertical risers (air chambers) near your taps, restoring their cushioning effect.

Turn the Main Water Supply Back On

Slowly turn the main valve back on to prevent a sudden rush of water, which could cause more hammering.
Let the water flow gently back into the system.

Close the Taps in Reverse Order

Start at the lowest point in your home (such as a ground-floor laundry or kitchen sink) and work your way up, turning off each tap once water flows smoothly without sputtering.

Test for Water Hammer

Run your taps and check for any remaining banging or knocking sounds.
If the noise persists, consider installing water hammer arrestors for a more permanent solution.

By following these steps, you can restore air cushions in your plumbing system and stop the annoying water hammering noises without the need for expensive repairs.

Loose Pipe Fasteners

Loose piping in your home can lead to noisy water pipes. A pipe can sway as a result of the larger volumes in which water moves. This causes a rattling of the pipe and most times, the pipe hit against objects and walls. Thus, you hear loud banging sounds, which over time, can damage pipes and cause leaks.

The first step to fixing this is to identify the source of the problem. If possible, crawl under your house with a flashlight or open the ceiling boards while someone else turns on the tap or flushes the toilet. While at it, you will need to be very attentive and observant so that you can identify the location. Once detected, secure the pipe to minimise movement.

If the drain pipes are the source of the noise, you will find them suspended from the floor joists under the house. Most times, you will only need to stabilise them to fix the issue slightly.

Squealing Water Pipes From Worn Out Washers

A whistling or squeaking water pipe is a direct result of a worn-out washer in a tap or valve. The culprit here is usually the valves connected to the taps or washing machine. In the case where you only hear the squealing sound when using the washer, then the fix is simple. Simply shut off the valve and inspect the washers in the house. Replace all worn out and cracked washers.

If the squealing continues after this, it means the washer is not the problem. In this case, shut off the house water and contact a local plumber for tap repair or replacement. Chances are the washers of the tap, or the valve, are worn. They are thus forcing the water to pass through a smaller opening. This leads to the pipes becoming noisy.

Faulty Main Shut Off Valve

You will experience squealing water pipes if your home’s main shut off valve or the water pressure regulator is faulty. In most cases, the resulting noise is felt at every corner of the house.

The culprit here is most likely the main shut off valve. Replace or repair the valve after shutting off the water mains supplying your street. In rare cases where it is not the main shut off valve, you will experience a pressure reducer on your incoming cold water line. All you need to do here is to fix the reducer’s manifold.

Sediment Buildup & Whistling Water Pipes

Over time, minerals and debris from the water supply can settle inside your pipes, gradually restricting water flow. This buildup can lead to unusual noises like gurgling, hissing, or even a whistling sound as water is forced through narrowed sections. It’s more common in areas with hard water, where mineral deposits accumulate faster.

To fix this issue, you can try flushing your plumbing system by running all taps at full pressure for a few minutes. For more severe buildup, a professional plumber can flush the pipes or install a water filtration system to help prevent future blockages. Regular maintenance and checking for signs of sediment can keep your pipes running smoothly and quietly.

Worn out Ballcock Assembly (Toilet Fill Valve)

If you hear a rattling or banging sound at the end of the filling cycle after every flush, your toilet’s ballcock assembly (or fill valve) may be worn out. This component regulates the water flow into the cistern, and when it deteriorates, it can cause noisy vibrations or hammering sounds.

The fix is to either adjust the mechanism if possible or replace the worn-out ballcock assembly with a new fill valve. Modern fill valves are quieter, more efficient, and often a better long-term solution than repairing an old ballcock system.

Noisy Water Pipes: Final Words

This article has touched five reasons you can have noisy water pipes. While this list is not exhaustive, we are confident that the points raised thus far will help you in applicable situations. Note that there might be situations too complicated for you to handle or troubleshoot on your own. In such cases, you can always call in the best plumber near you to have your noisy pipes fixed and peace restored to your house.

Penrith plumbers, Gold Coast plumbers, Adelaide plumbers, Newcastle plumbers – no matter where you are Best Plumbers Club has you covered!

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