Noises coming from inside the walls, especially in older homes, might conjure up images of evil spirits, but the more likely culprit is the plumbing. Here’s a rundown of common noises and likely causes.
Does it sound like the water is running even when all the faucets and appliances are off? The trouble may be inside a toilet tank. If the toilet flushes fine, but keeps on running, you likely have a leaky flapper. (A flapper is the rubber piece that stops the water flow when the tank is full.) The fix is easy: Clean off the flap with an old toothbrush to see if you can achieve a watertight fit or replace the flapper. Most home improvement stores can provide you with how-to instructions.
An occasional harmless “cough” from a faucet occurs when air enters a pipe. But regular coughing may be a sign of a cracked pipe. Call the water department and have them check your meter and surrounding lines. If they don’t find a problem, call a plumber. Fixing a leak before it becomes a break saves money in the long run.
If you hear loud bangs when a faucet is turned off you may have “water hammer.” This issue can occur when a washing machine or dishwasher changes cycles and a water valve slams shut. The sudden change in water pressures can cause pipes to jar. Having a plumber install water hammer arrestors should solve the problem.
When water pipes moan or whistle, this may mean there is an obstruction in a pipe that is creating higher-than-normal pressure. The x may require draining and flushing out the system or replacing some or all of the water pipes.
We all know what this means — a leak. If a faucet won’t stop dripping, you may have worn washers or a leaky valve assembly. A fairly handy homeowner can x most drips with the replacement parts available at home centers. A second option is to replace the entire faucet.