What’s That Noise? Chances are It’s a Plumbing Noise

Fall is the time of year when nights begin to get longer, and our imagination starts to wander. The spookiness of the season can leave many homeowners second guessing an unexplained knock or rattle. Nearly 45% of Americans believe in ghosts, so it’s not uncommon to assume there’s a presence behind an unfamiliar sound. While we don’t want to change anyone’s beliefs, we’re here to put your mind at ease and say it’s not a ghost, chances are it’s a plumbing noise.

Knocking in The Walls

Have you ever woken to a gentle rapping, rapping at your chamber door? If so, you and Edgar Allen Poe aren’t alone. While you may think it’s a bored ghost trying to get your attention, plumbing is the likely cause for a rapping in your walls.

Plumbers have a term for ghost knocking, it’s commonly known as “water hammer.” This phenomenon happens when water finds its way into your air chamber. An air chamber is a pipe the regulates pressure and waves in the home’s main supply pipes. Knocking in your walls could also indicate high water pressure or old creaking pipes.

Unexplained Water Bursts

Have you ever flushed the toilet only to see a burst of water come from the showerhead or faucet? While this may seem like a trickster poltergeist trying to scare the daylights out of you, it’s actually a symptom of high water pressure. If a home has too much water pressure when one faucet is off, another must turn on.

Many plumbing appliances shut off quickly and can cause a sudden spike it water pressure. If you’re already dealing with high water pressure, this extra push can force water from a nearby faucet or appliance. Rest assured, it’s not ghostl

Moaning

Believe it or not, your toilet can make a distinct moaning noise. Don’t be fooled, it’s not La Llorona looking for her child, it’s actually your toilet tank. So, it’s best to call a plumbing expert instead of an exorcist. Most toilets are outfitted with a ballcock valve which refills the water tank after a flush. When the ballcock valve gets dirty or breaks, it can cause the toilet to make a very loud moaning noise.

Honorable HVAC Mentions

Plumbing doesn’t hold the monopoly on ghost sounds, many can be attributed to your HVAC system. If any of these noises are coming from your walls, it’s time to make an appointment with an HVAC professional.

• Scratching – Scratching noises coming from your grills can be caused by debris or broken HVAC parts.
• Squealing – Your HVAC system will make a loud squealing noise when a belt is worn or misaligned.
• Hot and Cold Spots – Random cold spots can be an indication of ghost activity, but they could also be a sign of leaky ductwork. Best to have it checked by an HVAC technician.
• Auditory Hallucinations – Yes, your HVAC system can be responsible for auditory hallucinations. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include auditory and visual hallucinations, paranoia, confusion, and depression.

Don’t Call the Ghost Hunters, Call Service Champions

Are there unexplained footsteps in your home or knocking coming from inside the walls? First instincts may say, “call the ghost hunter team,” but you should be calling us instead. All Service Champions plumbers and HVAC technicians are expertly trained and ready to visit your Los Angeles, Orange County, or Riverside home. Above all, they “ain’t” afraid of no ghost. Call the number at the top of the screen or click here to schedule an appointment online.