If your pipes are making noise when the water is turned on, don’t panic; you are not alone. It’s not an uncommon occurrence when taps are turned on or a heating system kicks in. Most of the time, banging, rattling and whistling pipes are not a big issue.
However, noisy pipes can indicate problems that need attention. Radiators not heating up properly and spluttering taps can be caused from air in the system. But it might be something more serious. Here, we explore the common causes, how to fix them, and whether it’s time to call a professional.
Lincoln Smith is the Managing Director of Custom Heat, a heating company operating since the 1980s. Based in the West Midlands, they regularly deal with noisy pipe issues and offer expert advice and practical solutions.
Pipes making noise: Common causes and solutions
Noisy pipes can be caused by a host of different issues. Here, we look at the most common causes and possible ways to fix the problem, so your ears can get a rest.
1. Water hammer effect
This is a common reason for noisy pipes. Lincoln Smith, managing director of Custom Heat, explains: "Water hammer is that loud banging noise you hear when you turn a tap off quickly. It's caused by long runs of pipework where the water at the far end stops instantly when you shut off a quarter-turn tap, but the water further back in the pipe is still travelling forward, creating that hammering sound.”
Smith continues, “The most effective solution is to avoid excessive single lengths of pipework when designing a system.” He adds, “You can also fit devices like non-return valves and shock arresters that absorb the pressure difference caused by the sudden shut-off.”
However, there could be a simpler and cheaper solution to try first, suggests Smith, “Water hammer tends to happen more with quarter turn lever taps than traditional screw down taps because the shut off is more abrupt." So a change of taps might help with the issue.
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2. High water pressure
High water pressure can be an issue, as Smith explains, "High water pressure doesn't usually cause noise issues on its own, except when taps are running. " He adds, "If your taps sound like a fireman's hose when they're open, that's a sign your water pressure may be too high and worth checking."
Jess Thomas, managing director of Drainage Central, adds, “However, high water pressure can cause whistling or humming in pipes.” He adds, “This is a result of the pipes vibrating, which can cause leaks or damage fixtures.”
A solution is to call in a professional, Thomas suggests, “Ask a plumber to install a pressure regulator as this can be adjusted to lower the water pressure.”
Jess Thomas is the MD of Drainage Central and an expert in the drainage and plumbing industry. He is dedicated to helping homeowners find effective solutions to their drainage and plumbing problems.
3. Loose fittings
Poor installation or general wear and tear can lead to loose fittings, but there is a simple solution, shares Smith, “Inspect the pipework runs, make sure all clips are secure and any nuts and bolts are properly tightened.”
He adds, “Anywhere a pipe passes through something or comes into contact with another surface, there should be a barrier material, whether that's rubber, felt, or a copper sleeve. This allows for expansion and prevents the pipe from rattling against solid surfaces."
4. Blockages
Blockages can occur in any pipework, but a kitchen waste pipe is particularly prone to food waste accumulation. This can be quickly dealt with, says Thomas, “If you think there is a blockage causing noisy pipes, you can try to use a plunger or drain snake to dislodge or manually break up the blockage.”
Smith points out another telltale sign if the issue is with your heating system: “If radiators have partial debris buildup rather than complete blockages, you can get hissing noises coming from them.” He adds, “Another telltale sign is a really foul smell when you bleed a radiator, which indicates a buildup of debris that's giving off gas."
5. Air in the pipes
If there is air in pipes, Thomas says, “You can expect to find that water sputters when the taps are turned on, the pipes make unusual noises, or there is inconsistent water pressure. He recommends the following steps to remove air from your pipework.
- Drain water Turn off the mains water supply by locating the stopcock valve, usually beneath the kitchen sink. Turn on all of the taps to drain the water, starting on the top floor of your home. Repeatedly flush the toilets until no water remains.
- Turn off and on Turn off all of the taps, and then turn on each tap again. Turn them on just enough to allow a small amount of water to escape, as this will let trapped air escape when the system is turned back on. At this point, you should not actually see any water running out of the taps.
- Flush out any air Turn the mains water supply back on, and water should begin to flow through the slightly opened taps. Beginning on the top floor of your home, turn on all taps until they are half open. Then turn all of the taps back on full to flush to release any remaining trapped air. When each tap is successfully dispensing water, they can be turned off as air should no longer be trapped in the system.
If there is air in the heating system, Smith says, “Air in the system can cause clattering and banging noises, particularly when the heating first starts up," he adds, "This is especially common with older traditional heating systems. When the boiler fires up and the pump kicks in, if air is trapped in the pump, you'll hear a distinctive, bubbly, gurgling noise, sometimes accompanied by clattering.”
These noises should clear naturally after a few weeks into the heating season as the air works its way out. However, if the noises continue, Smith says, “If you're still hearing them after that period, it's best to call a heating professional because the system might be drawing air in from somewhere. There could be a blockage on an outlet causing it to pull air in on an inlet, and that needs investigating."
6. Thermal expansion
The temperature of the water in pipes will fluctuate, and this causes specific noise, as Smith explains, “Ticking or clicking noises are another common issue we see. These are usually caused by thermal expansion.”
He adds, “Heating pipes, whether they're copper or plastic, naturally expand as they heat up. As they pass through wooden joists or plasterboard in your home, this expansion causes them to rub against the building fabric, creating that distinctive ticking sound.”
To help stop the noise, Smith says, "The solution is to use proper protection where pipes pass through structural elements.” He adds, “We use a felt-based product called hair felt anywhere pipes pass through wood or plaster.”
For other materials, he suggests something else: “Where pipes go through brickwork, they should have protective sleeves. This cushioning material allows the pipes to expand freely without making noise."
Costs to call out a plumber to fix noisy pipes
If you need to call out a plumber to inspect, Smith says, "Callout costs vary depending on your location and the complexity of the issue.” He adds, “As a general guide, you're typically looking at anywhere from £80 to £200.”
Smith continues, “The final cost depends on what needs doing, whether it's something simple like bleeding radiators and checking for loose fittings, or something more involved like fitting shock arresters, replacing worn components, or power flushing a system with debris buildup."
Thomas reveals the typical rates for a plumber: “Expect to pay an average of around £50 an hour or up to £350 a day.” He adds, “If it is an emergency call out, you can expect to usually pay around double the plumber's normal rate.”
How to bleed pipes
If you have trapped air in a heating system, it's simply a matter of bleeding the radiators, as Smith explains: "Air in a heating system always rises to find the highest point, which is why you bleed it through the radiators."
He continues, "If you've got upstairs towel rails, particularly the vertical ladder type, those are usually the most likely radiators to have air trapped in them because they're at the highest point in your system. It's worth checking these first if you're experiencing air problems."
If you want to know more about pipework, check out our copper vs plastic pipes guide. If you're thinking of changing taps or pipes, check out our guides on fitting a kitchen tap and fitting a kitchen sink.
