Nothing is more worrying than turning on your hot water and hearing their pipes vibrate. All Calgary plumbers can affirm that choosing to ignore the sound of vibrating hot water pipes should be addressed.
By getting to the root of the issue, you can effectively figure out what is required to fix them.
After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
What Causes the Vibrating & Noise?
There are a few reasons your pipes will vibrate and make a noise when they’re turned on. Firstly, it can come from loose pipes, where the supports that keep them up are loosened. Another is hydraulic shock (water hammer). It happens when there is an immediate increase in water pressure, triggered by the speed or direction of water in pipes suddenly changing. Alternatively, it can simply be from temperature fluctuations. Lastly, it could potentially be the air in your pipes which is the problem.
Understanding the Issue & Fixing It
Once you have identified the reason for the sound, it’s good to know what each one can do to your plumbing. Having that knowledge is instrumental in understanding what certain measures are needed to fix it.
Hydraulic Shock
If you hear vibrating noise from your pipes, regardless of whether you have turned the hot water on or off, the likely culprit is hydraulic shock (water hammer). It poses a problem by causing your pipes to rupture or even collapse. The common solution is to install a pressure-reducing valve so that it can counteract those effects.
Loosened Pipes
When your pipes aren’t properly supported, the water that runs through them can hit whatever is near them. In this case, it’s important to understand which specific pipes aren’t well supported by seeing if they have any loose clamps. If the clamps are accessible, they need tightening to keep them secure. Yet, it might not always be easy. If pipes are behind the walls, call a plumber. They can effectively find the right pipe that needs repairing.
Temperature Changes
Have you ever been spooked by a sudden unexplained noise and assumed it was a ghost? If so, you probably heard someone say in response, “It’s just the pipes!” Unlike supernatural horror movies, the sound does come from pipes! The creepy sound is usually from a person running hot water that causes the pipes to expand and rub anything nearby. You can fix this by lowering the temperature on your water heater or having your pipes insulated.
Air in Pipes
You may be asking yourself: “How can air get into pipes?” Air enters the system when the water supply is cut for too long. You can fix this issue by running faucets or flushing toilets. However, if the air is trapped for too long, it can lead to corrosion and rust forming in pipes. If you can’t fix it through running water, it’s best to call in an expert to pinpoint the problem and repair it.
Calgary Plumber and Drains is your number one team of Calgary plumbers! Our success has been built on values such as honesty, hard work, affordable prices and superior customer service. We pride ourselves on offering clients throughout Downtown and surrounding areas with top-quality plumbing services, including leak repairs, installations, sewer and drain cleaning, toilet repairs, and water heater repairs in Calgary. As an emergency plumber in Calgary, we’re available when you’re in dire straits! For the number one plumbing company in Calgary, contact Calgary Plumber and Drains at 403-629-2920.