Water Pipes Making a Creaking Noise: Causes and Solutions

If you are one of the many homeowners with water pipes making a creaking noise and wondering if it is dangerous, if you can fix it, and how, you’ve come to the right place.

Whether you’re dealing with water heater sediment buildup, poor water flow, fluctuating pressure, or leaks, this article will help you identify the cause of that unusual sound and show you how to repair it.

A noisy water heater or creaking water pipes is not something you want to deal with daily, especially if it sounds like a train or jet engine and is located in your house.

Note: Every water heater makes some noise, but if it is inconsistent and sounds like popping, banging, knocking, rumbling, and screeching, you might have a problem. Check out this this article for repair tips.

Why Are My Water Pipes Creaking?

Water pipes making a creaking noise can arise from several factors, including thermal expansion, reduced water flow, and aging infrastructure. It’s important to distinguish between normal operational sounds and those that indicate potential issues. While occasional noises are typical, persistent creaking or banging often means something in the system needs attention.

For instance, if your water heater is making a creaking noise, it could be due to the expansion and contraction of the tank as it heats and cools.

Similarly, pipes tightly secured to walls may create friction during expansion, leading to audible creaks.

Thermal Expansion: The Leading Cause

The main reason for the creaking noise in water pipes, heating, and plumbing systems is thermal expansion when the unit operates with higher temperatures.

Thermal expansion occurs when the temperature and pressure inside the tank increase, making the tank stretch, and when the pressure is relieved, the metal tank “shrinks,” returning to its original shape. This process of expansion and contraction could often lead to unusual sounds, even deformations.

Also, if the water pipes are too tightly secured to the wall and as they cannot expand when hot water is running though, increased friction between the pipes, mounts, and studs would generate the creaking noise. Replacing metal clamps with plastic ones could reduce the noise.

If your pipes are exposed to colder air, such as when running through the basement or garage, expansion, contraction, and rapid temperature in the pipes can be reduced by adding insulation to your pipes. This will keep them at a consistent temperature and silent.

Reduced Water Flow and Pressure Issues

A water pipe can also make a creaking noise when the heater is recovering, and all the valves are closed. These valves include the check valves used to prevent mixing the potable residential water with the municipality water system, pressure reducing valves used to conserve water, and a water softener that acts as the back-flow valve.

If you are not sure about the thermal expansion and if the pressure increases over the recommended maximum, follow these steps to test it (it applies to the closed system only):

• Put the thermostat setting to the lowest position.
• Install the water pressure gauge on the drain valve, which you should open for testing.
• Open the hot water tap and drain approximately 20% of the tank volume.
• Shut off the drain valve. Turn off all the fixtures in your home.
• Allow the water heater to cycle by increasing the temperature on the thermostat.
• As the water temperature inside the heater’s tank increases, the pressure will increase too rapidly. If the pressure exceeds the maximum setting on the PRV or TPR valves, the valve should open and release the water. Also, valves will close once the pressure drops below its maximum setting.

Note: Extreme temperature and pressure inside the tank can lead to deformations and leaks, which is expensive to repair.

Expansion Tank as a Solution?

In order to avoid high water pressures and protect the heating system from the creaking noise and deformations, both the PRV and thermal expansion tank should be installed. The benefits of having the pressure relief valve installed are saving water, prolonging the life of water flow valves, and allowing the selection of an economically-priced expansion tank.

The most used expansion tank is the tank that has two chambers and one flexible membrane in between. One chamber is filled with water, the other with air, so there is always room in the air chamber to compensate for the increase when there is water expansion. When this device is installed, and the pressure starts to climb, there will only be a slight pressure increase to a point where it will stay and keep the steady pressure.

Other Potential Causes and Sounds

Aside from creaking noises in water pipes, you might encounter other sounds in your plumbing system, especially in water heaters, each with its own set of causes:

Popping sound. If you live in an area with hard water, mineral deposits and debris can easily accumulate at the bottom of the tank. The sediment buildup may trap hot water and steam bubbles underneath, resulting in the popping sound when trying to escape through the layer of sediment buildup.

The solution for this problem is to flush the system using the drain valve.

Crackling sound. A crackling sound can often be found in high efficient gas water heaters, and it occurs during condensation or moisture buildup, when the water droplets are vaporizing when in contact with the burner.

It can also mean that water is trying to go through the sediment layers.

Sizzling sound. A sizzling sound is a sound of water dripping on the hot surface. If it happens due to condensation, there is not much you can do – just wait until it disappears, but if the root cause is the leak, then you might want to call a professional to check.

Banging sound. Banging sound often occurs when there is a sudden pressure change in the system, such as when water entering or leaving the tank is rapidly turned off. This is also known as a water hammer and is causing pipes to bang against each other or nearby studs and walls. In order to prevent further noise and damages, it is recommended to install a water hammer arrestor and anchor the pipes securely.

Preventive Maintenance Tips

To avoid asking, “Why are my pipes creaking?” ensure your system is properly maintained:

• Flush your water heater annually to remove sediment and maintain efficiency.
• Regularly inspect all pipes and joints for signs of wear, leaks, or poor alignment.
• Monitor pressure settings and keep them within recommended ranges to reduce strain on the system.
• Insulate pipes in vulnerable areas to minimize the impact of temperature fluctuations.

When to Seek Professional Help

If DIY solutions fail to resolve the issue or if you suspect significant damage, contact a licensed plumber. Persistent creaking, especially in older systems, might signal aging pipes, hidden leaks, or worn components that require professional repair or replacement.

Conclusion

Water pipes making a creaking noise are not dangerous but are usually manageable with proper maintenance and timely interventions. By understanding the causes and implementing effective solutions, you can address these noises before they escalate into bigger problems, especially in water heaters.

If in doubt, don’t hesitate to seek expert advice to ensure your plumbing system remains reliable and quiet for years to come.