We’ve all heard it at one time or another, a loud, resonant foghorn noise from plumbing when a faucet is turned on or your toilet is flushed. Though it sounds like a serious – and expensive – problem, it’s a noise that we’re very familiar with in the plumbing industry.
A cry for help like this from your plumbing system sounds dramatic, but it’s actually not that hard to fix. In this post, we’ll go over the most common sources of foghorn noise from plumbing and explain where the sounds are coming from in the first place.
The #1 Culprit: A Worn-Out Toilet Fill Valve
As the cause of this loud noise 90% of the time, your toilet’s fill valve can wear or end up with a loose washer, causing vibrations as water flows through it. Because it’s not closed all the way, the vibrations of the water cause loud noises, much like blowing over the top of a bottle to make a low whistling sound.
Fortunately, this part is very easy and inexpensive to have replaced by a professional. You can tell if this is the issue because it will only make noise while the tank is filling. Once the tank is filled, the noise should stop.
Other Possible Causes of Vibrating Pipes
But what about the other 10% of the time? There are a few other issues that can occur, which can cause a loud noise to emanate from your plumbing.
Water Hammer
Water hammer is what happens when the high pressure flow of water is suddenly stopped. When it stops, it causes a loud banging or shuddering sound that can seem disconcerting, but there are available options to get rid of it.
Stopping the flow causes a form of hydrostatic shock, as the water bounces around at different pressures within the pipe. It can cause significant damage if left unattended. A good plumber will discuss adding air chambers or similar features to reduce the impact and noise.
A Failing Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV)
Much like the electricity coming into your home is reduced to a lower voltage, the water coming into your home has its pressure reduced using a pressure reduction valve. A plumber set the valve to the correct pressure when it was installed, but as time goes on, it can begin to fail.
But what causes these devices to fail? Over time, the o-rings, gaskets, and springs can begin to age and fail, allowing higher-pressure water to leak through to the other side of the regulator, and the vibrations cause noise in your pipes.
Worn Faucet Washers
You can also have worn washers, gaskets, or o-rings in your faucets, though it is fairly rare. In an older sink or tub faucet, vibrations from water leaking around one of these seals can cause loud noises.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you need a new faucet. In many cases, the failing seal can be replaced, allowing you to avoid the expense and time of having a new faucet installed in your fixture.
Conclusion
As mentioned above, foghorn noise from plumbing is usually a sign of a failing fill valve on your toilet, a fast and inexpensive fix for an experienced technician. Why not reach out to Lutz Plumbing today and get the peace of a quiet plumbing system once again?