Photo: Curtis Adams
Most people don’t think about their plumbing until something breaks. You might hear a drip or a knock in the pipes and just hope it goes away. After all, it’s not leaking, right? But your plumbing doesn’t need to leak to be in trouble. It usually sends warnings long before that happens, and you just have to know how to listen.
The sounds might seem small now, but they’re often your first sign that something’s wearing out or building up pressure in places it shouldn’t. Ignoring them could lead to damage you never saw coming.
In this article, you’ll find out what those common plumbing sounds really mean and how to tell when it’s time to call in some help.
The Slow Drip: More Than Just Annoying
A dripping faucet isn't just background noise. It’s often the first sign of wear. Maybe it’s a worn-out washer or a valve that’s not sealing properly. Either way, every drip is water going down the drain and money along with it.
But here’s the thing. That drip can also be pointing to pressure problems or a buildup in your pipes. Especially if it’s coming from the same fixture all the time. Letting it go for too long could lead to bigger issues, such as pipe corrosion or hidden leaks inside your walls.
That Sudden Bang: Say Hello to Water Hammer
That loud bang you hear when the washing machine or dishwasher stops filling is not normal. That is a water hammer. It happens when fast-moving water hits a closed valve and the pressure has nowhere to go. The force rattles your pipes and can slowly damage joints or fittings if it keeps happening.
Sometimes the cause is obvious, like a quick-shut valve. But it can also be something less expected, like a faulty shower cartridge. You might be wondering, can a bad shower cartridge cause water hammer? The answer is yes. When a cartridge sticks or wears down, it can disrupt the water flow and cause pressure spikes. That sudden stop and surge is exactly what sets off those banging sounds.
If you have replaced the cartridge and the banging still happens, or if you’re not sure what’s causing it in the first place, it’s smart to bring in a plumber before things get worse. What starts as noise in the walls can turn into leaks if ignored for too long.
Gurgling and Glugging: Listen to Your Drain
You run the sink or flush the toilet, and suddenly there’s a glug-glug sound. That’s not just air moving around. It’s your plumbing telling you that something is blocked, either in the pipe or the vent stack.
When waste pipes can’t pull in air properly, they’ll try to suck it from anywhere they can, even from nearby drains. That’s when you get those strange noises. If you don’t take care of it soon, you could be looking at backups or slow-draining sinks and tubs.
Photo: Ellie Burgin
Hissing or Whistling: More Than Just a Quirk
Sometimes you’ll hear a whistling sound when you turn on a faucet. It might not be loud, but it sticks out. That sound often means something inside the fixture is either loose or partially blocked. Mineral buildup is a usual suspect.
In other cases, high water pressure can also cause this. Over time, that pressure puts stress on everything, from your water heater to the smallest connections, wearing things out faster than they should.
Ticking or Tapping: It’s Not Just the Pipes Settling
Ticking noises usually come from hot water pipes expanding as they heat up. They rub against walls, studs, or brackets when they don’t have enough room to move freely. This isn’t dangerous, but it’s a clue that your pipes weren’t installed with the right spacing or insulation.
That might seem like a small thing, but over time, those repeated movements can cause stress points in your plumbing. You may even start noticing small cracks or leaks near joints if it goes unchecked. If you’re planning a renovation or opening up walls for any reason, it’s a good idea to address this while you have access.
Also, adding insulation or plastic sleeves around the pipes can give them room to expand without rubbing against hard surfaces. That simple fix can make your mornings a little quieter and help extend the life of your plumbing system.
Silence Can Be Just as Loud
Sometimes, the absence of sound is the biggest warning sign. If you’ve got a fixture that used to make noise and suddenly doesn’t, especially if it’s a pump, a water heater, or a well system, it might have stopped working altogether.
That kind of quiet isn’t peace. It’s a red flag. A failed water heater might go unnoticed until you step into a cold shower. A sump pump that quietly gives out can mean a flooded basement the next time it rains.
It’s also worth noting that even normally loud fixtures like toilets can become “too quiet” when something’s not right. If a toilet that used to make noise when refilling suddenly doesn’t, the fill valve may not be working, and you could have low or no water entering the tank.
Concluding Thoughts...
When it comes to your home, plumbing issues rarely show up without dropping a few hints first. The sounds may be subtle or strange, but they’re usually trying to tell you something before the real damage begins. A drip today could mean corrosion tomorrow. And when something feels off, don’t wait for it to turn into a full-blown repair job. Trust your gut, and if you’re unsure, call someone who can take a closer look. Your plumbing has a voice. And now, you know how to listen.
