Have you ever noticed a loud banging noise that seems to come from inside of your walls for no apparent reason?  Perhaps you’ve noticed that this only happens when you are doing laundry or when your sprinkler system comes on or maybe even after you plush the toilet?  You’ve probably wondered why do my water pipes bang?  It’s easy to think that it’s just part of having a home that isn’t new but this isn’t something you want to ignore!  Inevitably the banging sound will get louder and louder and more frequent until something breaks inside of your walls and then you are looking at some pretty major repair costs.

Why water pipes bang?

Let’s start off with by water pipes bang…  the knocking sound that you hear when your water pipes seems to be banging in your walls is actually caused by too much water pressure in the main supply pipe line that is coming into your home.

The water pressure is needed to move water from the water main to your home but sometimes the pressure regulator is faulty and needs to be replaced because the pressure that is needed to move the water from the street to your home is much more than what is needed inside of your home.

Main Reasons for Noisy Water Pipes

When you are considering why your home is so noisy it is important to remember that no plumbing system is silent. Any system will make some noise because of what is involved in it – water traveling at speed and volume around metal or plastic pipes. Powerful burners and boilers also add to the noise problem. However, some noise from pipes can be limited and controlled. The first thing to do is identify the cause of the problem so you can quieten your pipes and get some decent sleep. Here are the most common reasons for noisy pipework.
1. Broken Taps or Valves

If you hear noise after you turn on a tap – a clunking noise, or a knocking noise followed by a drop in the flow of water – then you probably have a problem with some material that has broken off the tap or the valve and which is blocking the pipe, causing noise. In order to fix this problem, you will normally need to have the tap and valve opened up and then cleaned out.
2. Loose Pipes 

One of the most common sources of pipe noise is a loose pipe or set of pipes. Loose pipes may hang from the ceilings or the walls – in order to stop this noise, fit good quality pipe clips, and anchor the pipes to the walls with the right equipment. A plumber will be able to advise you on which equipment you need for your home. Pipes will be a lot quieter when they are securely fixed.

3. High Water Pressure

If your water pressure is higher than it normally should be, it results in banging and clunking noises from inside the pipes. High water pressure can be a noisy issue, and it needs to be looked at by a professional. You can have a pressure reducer fitted in order to control banging noises and make the system safer.

When you are faced with noisy pipes or other heating and hot water problems, it is important to get professional advice to make sure you fix the issue as conveniently and economically as possible. Noisy pipes, malfunctioning boilers, and hot water problems can be caused by many different issues. Boiler repair can be expensive, which is why you need to research the best option for resolving your noisy pipes problem. Check plumbers’ references and qualifications, and take references if needed before starting on an extensive boiler or heating system repair.