It's always good to start and end your day with a nice cold or warm shower. However, your day would become worse when your shower starts to create a loud humming noise. You cannot feel anything but be anxious about it. So, you wonder if you should call a repairman or repair it yourself.
When your shower is making a loud humming noise, you must first know what the problem is. There are a lot of possible causes. Most problems only need a simple repair without using plumbing skills. However, there are causes that require expertise.
In this article, you probably want to know those causes and how you can fix them. Just hang on and keep on reading.
Why Is My Shower Making A Loud Humming Noise?
It's worth considering when you have a type of shower that normally creates a loud noise. In this case, you cannot make it silent.
Most showers have pumps, or a power shower, which naturally produce more noise than the electric ones. This is expected and there is nothing you can do about it.
1. Loose Pipes
Loosened pipes will hum and rattle as water goes through them. It worsens over time.
What Can You Do?
If you are uncertain about loosened pipes, try to locate the issue. Move some furniture and try searching pipes through cabinets. To fix it, you may need screws, screwdrivers, and some brackets.
Now that you know where the problem is, secure the pipes using brackets. Make sure it is sturdy and attach all pipes to the wall. This will withstand the rattle when the water travels through the pipe.
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2. Clogged
When there is a noisy shower, you can suspect that it has a clog. This is a common situation for most households because the water flows in and out of the pipe and the showerhead.
The limescale and mineral deposits easily build up. A humming noise may be produced when the shower is currently in use and cannot get through the holes.
What Can You Do?
Pliers and pipe cleaners are the simplest solution.
First, turn off the water from the main line. This is not as essential as you may think, but you can prevent slipping and water damage to the bathroom. To turn off the water, locate the water valve and set it to its “OFF” mode.
Once turned off, take off the showerhead. It should twist and unscrew. Some showerheads may require some push to remove. So, you may need pliers to do so. Use the pliers carefully to not damage the showerhead and yourself as well.
A white vinegar solution and pipe cleaners can clean the showerhead. Soak and leave it overnight. The white vinegar removes mineral deposits and other elements that cause clogging. Rinse it in the morning and replace it. You may turn on the main line again.
If the shower still produces noise and hums, then it is a more serious cause.
3. High Water Pressure
40psi up to 60psi is considered the ideal water pressure for a shower. You don’t want it to reach above 80psi because it is common to hear sounds and rattles. You may want to call a plumber so they can check the water pressure and determine if it is the cause of the humming noise.
What To Do?
Adjusting the water pressure can be done by anybody, as it is easy to do. You only need a wrench and a screwdriver.
First, turn off the water in the main line.
Find the water regulator. You can locate it close to the main valve. After that, search for the regulator. Look for the nuts and bolts. Loosen the nut with a wrench. Slowly, fine-tune the screw using a flathead screwdriver.
Once done, tighten back the nuts and turn on the water.
Go back to the bathroom and test the shower. Run it for 5 minutes. If there is no evidence of rattling or humming sounds, then you have solved the issue. Otherwise, do it again and consider that noisy sounds are caused by other things.
4. Leaks
Leaks are common inside the household, especially in the bathroom. Damages caused by water are a serious household issue. So, doing what you can do to prevent such leakage is more important than just fixing the shower that makes a loud humming noise.
What To Do?
This is like fixing your loose pipes. Locating the leak is the first thing you do in fixing pipes. After you know where the leak is, you can start to fix the problem. To do that, you need silicone tape to seal the leak.
Clean the area and keep it dry and remove all kinds of debris. Apply the sealant and cover the entire leak. It should hold the water and prevent the loud humming sound.
Sometimes, leaks become large when not prevented. You need to hire a professional for this serious task.
5. Damaged Washers
Showers have washers to hold their parts securely. It prevents leaks from the showerhead. However, it can get damaged over time. This damage will cause noise as it vibrates when the water flows through it.
What To Do
First, take off the showerhead. You might need pliers to do this. Once you have detached the showerhead, take it apart using a screwdriver. It should have two washers. Remove and replace with non-faulty ones. Reattach the showerhead.
While doing this, you may want to clean the showerhead. Remove grime and limescale to reduce the shower noise.
6. Faulty Pipes
If you hadn’t replaced your shower for many years, that might be the reason for a loud humming sound. It could be worn out and pipes became eroded. Remember that pipes and showers get damaged over time. If nothing gets fixed, then this may cause a serious problem.
What To Do?
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do but replace the whole pipe system. This is not an easy DIY job as you need to hire a professional for proper installation. Install a new and quality pipe system to last for years. In this way, you can save money in the future. A pipe repair may cost you more than replacing it.
Other Pipe Noises - What Do You Need To Know?
Pipe noises are really disruptive and could easily get your attention. These should receive a follow-up as it signifies the need for repair. You do not want to wait for serious water damage before you tend to these problems.
Rattling
If you hear a rattling pipe, it means that there is a loose part. It might be the water pump that distributes water, results in vibration as the water runs through the pipe. In this case, the water pump should be repaired and the mounting system needs to be secured.
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Sometimes, the stabilizers may loosen and need replacing. The pipes need cushioning, especially when they cross different paths.
Another cause of the rattling sound is the copper piping. It expands when unprotected in warm water. If the water temperature reaches too high, the copper pipes start to produce a loud sound, especially in the cold season. Try to insulate the pipes to avoid such issues.
Gurgling
Gurgling sounds are often in the drain pipes. Typically, something is in the drain that shouldn’t be there. It is not enough to clog the pipe, but it slows down the water flow, which makes a loud noise.
This happens when the pipes have built up hard water scales or sediments. To fix the issue, you must clean the drain. When you find it worn out, you must replace it with a new one.
In Conclusion
Check and try all the above solutions mentioned. If you still find it not working, then it is time to contact your trusted plumber. They can help you assess the problem and determine the real cause of the loud humming noise and other related issues.
It could be that the showerhead is naturally loud, or perhaps the noise is coming from the toilet. Professional plumbers are knowledgeable enough to locate where the problem is and will provide you with a wide range of solutions.
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