Water Piping Problems and Ways to Prevent Them
- Written by News Co Media
Suspicious noises coming from your pipes should never be ignored. It is especially true with aging homes, as they are more susceptible to plumbing wear and tear. The first step you should do is to define the sound and locate where it's coming from. If you don't have the tools or the experience to deal with the problem, you should find reputable contractors in the Brisbane area like https://www.kozplumbing.com.au/. Addressing your plumbing concerns early will prevent them from worsening and inflating your expenses.
Once they've been fixed, you'll want to make sure that they never happen again. Educating yourself about these common piping problems can help you take measures to prevent them from recurring.
Worn Out Washer
The whistling sound you hear in pipes may come from a faucet's worn-out washer. It can be traced back to the valves connected to your washing machine. Make sure that you regularly check the washers in the hose for any signs of wearing or damage. The valve seat, too, needs as much attention because any cracks can force the water to leak and create noise. If you're unfamiliar with these items, you can ask help from professionals or experienced family members to show them to you and explain the technicalities.
Water Hammer
A water hammer produces noises that can be alarming. This is a repair best left to reliable contractors due to the intricacy of the work involved. That said, there's a simple explanation behind the sound you've heard every time you shut off the faucet. The water that rushes through pipes comes to an abrupt stop, and the energy that comes with it is forced elsewhere. Usually, it would revert to a vertical pipe and dissipate upon hitting a cushion of air at the top. When that cushion disappears due to age, the energy causes the pipe to hammer or rattle.
You can preserve the air cushion by regularly turning off the main water. Afterwards, open all the faucets in the house so that water can be drained from the lowest faucet. This process will force air up the risers and ensure that there will be a cushion at the top to prevent the hammering noise.
Loose Pipes
When the noise comes from under the house, it's likely a loose pipe. Flushed water tends to move quickly and in large volumes, and a loose pipe will rattle as a result. Your plumber will stabilize this using various methods, depending on whether or not the piping is exposed.
You can prevent it by performing regular inspections and hiring a regulator to decrease your water pressure. When the pressure is just right, you can avoid a water hammer, which happens to be a common trigger to loose pipes.
Toilets
Can you hear banging during or after the fill cycle of your toilet? The culprit is usually a worn ballcock assembly. This is the part that controls the fill process after you flush, and it can be problematic when it happens. The best prevention is to have it looked at by a trusted plumber at once so that you can determine when repairs will suffice and when replacements are due.
Main Shut Off Valve
Perhaps the loudest and most disturbing piping noise you'll hear comes from the water regulator or the main shut off valve. You'll recognize it right away because, unlike the previous problems, the squealing tends to resonate throughout the house. Like with the worn ballcock, you'll need to learn when repairs and replacements are due. You can also have the reducer manifold of your cold water line checked so you can act on it before it starts to make noise.
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