When you hear water trickling in a stream or drip from a faucet, you probably think of it as soothing and relaxing. However, this sound can be jarring if you’re trying to watch a movie or read a book while sitting near a kitchen faucet. In this situation, you are hearing the sound of water through the walls of a house, which is known as “drip” or “plumbing” noise—and it’s almost always unwelcome, unless you are installing a new pipe or a house has noisy neighbors.Drip noise is common in older homes that have cast iron pipes, copper pipes, or plastic piping—all of which are subject to condensation build-up that can cause pipes to corrode from water build-up. This condensation can occur naturally in areas that experience a drop in temperature, such as during the winter when there is less natural sunlight and warmer indoor temperatures.
What is the difference between drip and flow noise?
Drip noise is the continuous trickling of water against the inside of your home. This can be caused by condensation, which is the formation of water vapor outside of the pipes, which then condenses and drips back down into the pipes.Drain flow noise is the sudden rush of water through the pipes as they are being drained. This can be a result of a backed-up toilet, a clogged sink drain, or a clogged shower head. If your home has a sump pump for sewage reasons, the sump pump motor is another source of drip or flow noise.If you have both drip and flow noise in your home, then you need to find out which source is causing the problem. You can run a pipe-cleaning tool through your pipes to find out where the flow is coming from, or you can hire a plumber to come out and clean your pipes for you.
Why are pipes so loud during the winter?
When temperatures drop, condensation occurs naturally inside the pipes. The condensation forms water vapor that is then released into the pipes through condensation pockets. This condensation can cause pipes to become corroded and create a loud “drip” noise.If you live in a house that has been renovated and has new materials, such as new plumbing materials or new windows, the condensation may be caused by the change in materials. If condensation is the cause of the loud noise coming from the pipes, it can be fixed with a simple pipe cleaning.If condensation is not the cause of the loud noise but is still bothering you, you may want to consider installing a de-humidifier. It can help to reduce the condensation build-up and create a more even flow of water through your pipes.
Piping Materials and Installations That Produce Drip or Flow Noise
Cast iron pipe is known for creating drip or flow noise because it is made of a material that is very porous. This can cause condensation build-up because the pipe is not designed to hold water.Durable cast iron pipe can last a lifetime, but it is important to clean out the inside of the pipe once a year to avoid condensation build-up.Copper pipe is also porous, but it is less porous than cast iron pipe. This makes it less likely to have condensation build-up. However, copper pipes can discolor if they are exposed to certain chemicals. This discoloration is known as corrosive attack and can be prevented by using certain chemicals to clean out the pipes.
How to avoid drip noise in your home
The best way to avoid drip noise in your home is to install new pipes. Piping materials that are less porous and more durable are the best way to avoid drip noise.Copper pipe is a great way to avoid drip noise because it is durable and non-porous. This pipe can last a lifetime, but it is important to clean out the inside of the pipe once a year to avoid condensation build-up.Durable cast iron pipes are another option for installing new pipes. Cast iron pipes have been used for centuries to install pipes in buildings. While you can clean out cast iron pipes, this can be a time-consuming and messy process.
How to reduce drip noise in your home
Dipping your pipes into cold water can help reduce condensation build-up. You can also use de-ice salt to help reduce condensation build-up.Duct tape can also be used to cover up the drip noise coming from the pipes. Duct tape can be placed around the pipes in a location where they are exposed to the cold air. If you live in a house with lots of windows, you can also cover up the pipes with plastic sheeting.
Conclusion
Drip or flow noise is often caused by condensation build-up in the pipes. The best way to avoid this is to install new pipes or replace old pipes with new, drier pipes that are less likely to have condensation build-up.You can also cover up the pipes with duct tape or plastic sheeting to help reduce the noise.