Plumbing issues can be complicated and troubling for those with little or no experience.
The massive network of pipes, air ducts, drains, and sewage systems under the floor can be challenging to understand. One such common issue is plumbing which sounds like a foghorn, which makes no sense. The sound appears to be a loud ringing, similar to a car horn.
When turning on the sink or flushing a toilet, hearing a foghorn-like noise is an unexpected problem. This noise is unusual and could indicate a plumbing problem. To identify the source of noise, you need a professional plumber. Visit this site to find out what’s wrong and find a solution to stabilize the situation.
Noisy sounds should be addressed since they signify a more serious plumbing problem. Now let us look into which plumbing issues causes such strange noises that appear suddenly.
A Faulty Ballcock In A Toilet
A faulty toilet ballcock is the most common cause of foghorn sounds from bathroom pipes. A ballcock, also identified as a flapper or fill valve, is a machine equipped with a flush tank responsible for bringing water into the tank while preventing backflow or overflow. It activates when water enters the tank and deactivates when it is complete.
However, the buzzing sound you hear could be caused by a disintegrating flapper. If the flapper is broken or not correctly adjusted, water continues to flow past the overflow valve, making a foghorn sound. If the flapper is loose, it does not close properly and rises and falls between, which creates a loud echo.
Solution
To put this theory to the test, open the bathroom tank. Once you hear the toilet filling up sound, flush it and raise the float to the tank’s top. If such prevents the sound, you’ve found the source—the foghorn sound from a toilet can be eliminated by changing the valve.
Leaking Toilet Tank
While filling, you may have noticed that a toilet tank makes constant noise. However, once it is complete, the sound must be turned off. If the sound continues, it could be caused by a leak in the tank. If the rubber flap inside the tank breaks down for whatever reason, water may still flow into the tank, causing a constant sound.
Solution
Simply replacing the faulty flapper with a new one will solve the problem.
Leaking Faucet
A faulty faucet or tap could be the source of strange plumbing noises. If you switch on a faucet and it whistles, the problem is almost certainly with the faucet. When water rushes out of a sink faucet, it causes the tap to expand and contract and generates a buzzing noise. The pressure causes the faucet to flutter and makes a foghorn-like sound. The same problem can occur with a showerhead.
Solution
Fortunately, tightening all the screws around the faucet and the attached pipes is required to fix a loose tap. If that doesn’t work, try disconnecting and reconnecting all of the parts. Hopefully, this will resolve the problem, but if the noises persist, call a plumber to replace the faucet.
The Effect Of Water Hammer
If you hear a loud banging sound when you turn off a tap or when water stops flowing from a pipe, you may be experiencing the water hammer effect. This problem is caused by pipelines that pass through the floors and walls and collapse when subjected to high pressure, resulting in loud noises.
When a faucet is closed, fast-flowing taps into the closed valve, going to cause a shock. This shock not only makes a loud noise but also has the potential to damage the pipes and loose fittings.
Solution
To deal with the water hammer effect, tighten loose pipelines and replace damaged fill valves or faucets. If the pressure in pipelines remains exceptionally high, consider installing a pressure-reducing valve to prevent pipeline damage. For most homes, a water pressure of 80 psi is recommended.
Dishwasher Sounds
A dishwasher could also be to blame for the annoying foghorn sounds you’ve been hearing. A weak or defective push button fill valve may cause these noises. This valve controls the closing and opening of the drain valve. It also allows the washer to fill with the required amount of water. If the fill valve is damaged, water will leak into the dishwasher when not in use, creating a foghorn-like noise. Fixing this problem may be technical.
Solution
The issue here is most likely caused by a damaged out-control fill valve, similar to the one in your toilet but smaller, stronger, and more challenging to reach. It’s time to replace that valve before it completely fails.
Sound From Heater
If you hear a sound from the water heater, you must think about when you cleaned the heater. Hot water produces minerals inside the tank, so the tank and burners inside the water heater get dirty. Your system may make loud noises when the tank and burners become dirty.
Solution
Plan a water heater flush; it is the most effective way to solve problems. If your water heater fails, this also prevents you from being stuck with cold water. Annual water heater cleaning is suggested to avoid blockage. If you keep this maintained, the heater will not produce noise.
Conclusion
Noisy plumbing issues can be a source of concern. Fortunately, a foghorn noise is rarely a plumbing emergency, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be addressed. Having loud noises coming from your plumbing can be troubling. The foghorn sounds from your plumbing act similarly; they warn you of a problem with your plumbing. Take these sounds seriously and look for the source of the problem. You never know how badly your plumbing has been damaged or how much it will cost to repair if things worsen. If the above suggestions do not resolve your problem, there is no shame in calling a plumber.
