When you turn on a faucet in your home, all you want is a stream of water. But in many homes in the Bay Area, especially older ones, turning on the faucet also comes with a complimentary rattle or BANG. If this sounds familiar and you’re wondering, “Why do my pipes rattle when I turn on the faucet?” read on to learn the possible causes and what you can do to take care of this annoying problem!
Why do my pipes rattle when I turn on the faucet?
Perhaps the most common cause of rattling pipes in homes is something known as a “water hammer.” Every time that you turn on or shut off your faucet, the sudden change in water pressure can create a shockwave that reverberates through your pipes. This shockwave causes your pipes to bang and rattle against the beams and structural material that surrounds them, which gives off a loud sound when you turn your faucets on and off.
Another possible reason that your pipes rattle when you turn on the faucet is that your pipes are not securely fastened in place. If this is the case, your pipes will have more room to move around whenever the pressure inside them changes, which will allow them to rattle against anything that’s close by.
Loose pipes can be a result of a poor installation of your home’s plumbing system, or they can develop over time in homes where water hammers often occur.
How can I stop my pipes from rattling and banging?
If your rattling pipes are caused by one of the problems that we discussed above, there are two primary solutions. The first is to have a water hammer arrestor installed by a professional plumber like Cabrillo. These devices absorb the shockwaves that are created by water hammers, allowing your pipes to stay firmly in place when you turn your faucets on and off.
Another solution is to have your home’s pipes inspected and secured. Cabrillo can identify loose pipes in your home’s plumbing system and ensure that everything is securely fastened in order to minimize banging and rattling.
If you have any questions about why your pipes rattle when you turn on the faucet, or if you’d like a plumbing system serviced or installed in your home, contact Cabrillo, your Bay Area plumbing, heating and air conditioning contractor.