How to Quiet Noisy Pipes

The squeaking and banging you're hearing probably results from too loose or tight a fit as your pipes pass over or through wood framing. This is especially likely for heating and hot-water pipes. When shutting a faucet or other valve suddenly stops fast-flowing water, the shock (called water hammer) creates a loud bang.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Foam Pipe Insulation
• Pipe Cutter
• Straps Or Hangers
• Drill And Drill Bits
• Hammer
• Nail Puller
• Pressure Gauge
• Plumbing tools, pipe and fittings or commercial air chamber, solder or fittings appropriate for pipe system

For pipes that contact wood framing

1. Water pressure in excess of 50 lbs. per square inch (psi), or 3.5 kg per square cm, can cause noisy pipes. Test for excessive pressure by attaching a pressure gauge to an outdoor faucet. Some gauges mark the high point reached over any period of time. Control excessive pressure by having a pressure regulator installed on your water system.
2. Secure loose pipes to framing with straps or hangers as needed to prevent movement.
3. Remove any pipes that fit tightly into holes drilled through framing members. Enlarge the holes (usually you do so with a drill bit larger than the one originally used), then reconnect the pipes.
4. Cushion copper pipes where they contact framing or framing hardware. Cut short lengths of foam pipe insulation and remove any straps or hangers so you can wrap the insulation around the pipe (you may need a nail puller). Reinstall the straps or hangers with a hammer or other appropriate tool.

For a loud water hammer

5. The air-cushioning chambers that codes require for most fixtures and appliances, typically a short length of capped pipe that extends up from the water pipe, is probably waterlogged (filled with water rather than air). To restore air to the chambers, shut off the water main, open the faucets and drain both hot and cold water from the system. Turn the water back on, closing faucets as soon as water is flowing without air.
6. If any plumbing fixture or washing machine lacks an air chamber, drain the water lines to install one on the hot and cold lines. Ideally, you should install the air chamber immediately inside the wall behind the fixture or machine. If you must cut out drywall, see How to Repair Minor Drywall Damage.
7. Cut out a short section of pipe, as close as possible to the faucet, and install a T-fitting, a nipple (a very short length of pipe) and a reducer fitting that will allow you to connect a 1-foot (30-cm) length of pipe larger than the supply pipe. Install a cap fitting to complete the air chamber.

Tips & Warnings

• Excessive water pressure can damage any appliance that connects to a water line.
• Special water-cushioning devices that contain air bladders are superior to pipe chambers because they won't become waterlogged.
• Don't ignore a banging water hammer. It can do considerable damage to your home's hot and cold pipe system.

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