What to Do About a Noisy Faucet

Even after moving into a new house in Pennsylvania or finishing a remodeling project, it is important to keep your home in tip-top shape. This can include everything from cleaning to the occasional installation, but repairs can also fall into this category. One issue you may encounter is a screeching faucet, which indicates a problem with the plumbing. Fortunately, there are many ways to fix a noisy faucet, no matter where it is in your house. Save your faucets—and your ears—and read our tips below.

Identify the Noise

We know that loud faucets get irritating, but next time you turn on the faucet, pay close attention to what sound it makes. Pipes make a variety of noises depending on the problem—whistling, rattling and screeching are all possible if your faucet is in need of repair. Hear a loud thumping noise? That’s called a water hammer, and it’s a result of waterlogged air chambers in your plumbing system. Squealing faucets can be caused by loose washers or worn-out stems. Remember to keep the water’s temperature in mind; if your faucet is only noisy when you try to use hot water, the issue is probably the hot water pipes.

Turn Off the Water Supply

Once you have a better idea of the problem, there are several quick fixes you can try. The first step to any plumbing repair is turning off the water supply (just like you wouldn’t screw in a new light bulb with the light switched on). If there’s only one faucet you need to fix, you can look under the sink for the stop valves—one for hot water, and one for cold. Turn them clockwise until they are tightly closed. To make sure the water is totally off, try turning on the faucet. Let the water run until it stops completely.

Fix the Damage

After the water supply is safely switched off, you can examine your faucet and the pipes for any damage. If your faucet is on the screechy side, you can sometimes solve the problem yourself by replacing the washer. To check for washers that are worn down or sized incorrectly, you’ll need to disassemble your faucet. Replace the old washer with a new washer that fits.

If there isn’t any visible damage but your faucet makes a loud thudding noise, that’s probably a water hammer; this can be fixed by draining the pipes or installing a hammer arrester. With any luck, these fixes will get your faucet back to normal. However, plumbing can be tricky, which is why it is best to hire a professional contractor off of ServiceWhale to help you out instead.

Check Water Pressure

If you can’t find the problem in the pipes, water pressure could be the culprit. To check water pressure, you can purchase a pressure gauge from any hardware store. Turn off the main water supply, and attach the gauge to a water outlet. If the pressure is 80 psi or greater, you’ll have to adjust the pressure valve. If your pressure is lower than 50 psi, you can increase the pressure. There may be instances where you will have to install a pressure regulator.

Hire a Professional to Fix a Noisy Faucet

If you have done all you can and the problem persists, it may be time to replace your plumbing system or install a new faucet. If you are in Pennsylvania, you can register to use ServiceWhale to look for contractors compare price estimates. With our plumbing services and great deals, home improvement is made easy. To learn more about maintaining your Pennsylvania house, and finding a professional contractor to fix a noisy faucet in your home, check out our available services.