Pipes make all kinds of noises. In fact, if there was a documentary that treated pipes like wild animals, there would be a very comprehensive section on all the sounds pipes seem to make. They can whoosh, clang, whistle, and more, and each of these noises means something different is wrong with your pipes. During our drain repair service across the Greater Toronto Area we’ve had a chance to first-hand experience these wide range of sounds. Today, we decided to go through some of these different noises in your pipes and drain pipes, suggest why the pipes are making that noise, and suggest some fixes that could help your home go back to a much quieter place.

  1. Gurgling Drain Pipes

Our drainpipes sometimes gurgle because they’re made from PVC pipe and a lot of water runs through them on a regular basis. The reason you can hear the sound is because PVC pipe, unlike iron pipes, are thin and transfer sound much more efficiently. That lets you hear what’s going through them. But PVC pipe is also easier to handle, much less expensive, and more malleable than iron pipes, so it’s a common trade-off for saving money. If the sound is truly that bad, you could have the pipe replaced with an iron one to reduce the noise.

  1. Whistling Bathroom Pipes

Whistling is a very common sound that comes from pipes and other bathroom appliances, and the fix is often very easy and inexpensive. This is because, most of the time, the pipes aren’t actually the problem, it’s the valves. More specifically, it’s probably the fill valve in your toilet. Lift off your toilet’s lid and check the valve, giving it some minor adjustments. You should be able to eliminate the noise by just wiggling it around, but a more major fix may be necessary. So if it doesn’t go away with a jiggling, call in a pro Toronto plumber.

  1. Clanging in the Pipes

Clanging pipes is caused by something professionals like to call “water hammer.” In essence, the water hammer phenomenon happens when you turn off the tap connected to a high pressure pipe. The pressure can build up and, when it gets to be too much, the pipes are jolted. When this happens, your pipes make a clanging sound. But the problem doesn’t stop there. Usually, water hammers are enough to jostle around the pipe fittings themselves, which can lead to pipes dislocating themselves or even breaking open, which can be a major problem. If your pipes are clanging, it’s important to locate the pipe and what it’s connected to. Stop using the valve immediately and call in a professional plumbing contractor. They should be able to locate the problem and fix the pipe. They can also figure out if there’s been any other damage, and fix that as well. Then your pipes will clang less, and it’ll be less likely to happen again.

Our pipes make all kinds of noises. Some of them are perfectly natural while others are signs of larger problems. As a home owner, you should learn what some of these sounds mean, and have a plumbing professional in your phone to help if things are serious.

Andrew Olexiuk - Your Toronto Plumbing Expert
Andrew Olexiuk - Your Toronto Plumbing Expert
Andrew has over 20 years of experience as a plumbing contractor. He is co-owner and operator of Absolute Draining & Plumbing, a professional plumbing company serving residential & commercial properties across the Toronto, Ontario region.
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