Drips, squeaks and whistles: plumbing’s funny sounds have serious solutions

Whether you’re a plumber or just someone who has a plumbing system, you’ve likely heard some of the funny sounds our drains, piping and overall systems can make. Laura Firszt of Networx wrote on WPTZ-TV’s website that these noises can be fixed by those do-it-yourself’ers who know their way around pipes.

For those who don’t know what they’re doing (i.e. most non-plumbers), it’s a great idea to call a professional and get help with the solution. Firszt said, for example, that “shower whooshes or rumbles” could mean professional help is needed.

A disturbing whooshing or rumbling sound when you try to take a relaxing shower is probably caused by a buildup of mineral sediment (aka "lime scale") in either the water heater or the pipes, common in regions with very hard water. Flush your water heater once a year to remove the scale. If the problem is in the plumbing pipes themselves, you may need to have them professionally cleaned by a licensed plumber. In either case, consider installation of a water softening system to reduce this type of issue in the future.

Read more from Firszt on the Networx site and let us know; what are some of the more common “funny noises” you run into on a day-to-day basis as a plumber?