Does this sound familiar? You’re sleeping comfortably when, in the middle of the night, a soft but persistent knocking starts coming from the pipes in your home. At first, it may be easy to ignore, but over time, that sound can become harder to tune out. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to address knocking pipes that may not require a plumber or expensive parts.
First, it helps to understand why your pipes are knocking in the first place. In many cases, knocking pipes are caused by changes in water pressure in the main supply pipes coming into your home. That pressure helps keep water moving through the pipes and into your faucets. When the air used to cushion that pressure is depleted, water can move suddenly through the supply lines, creating the knocking sound you hear.
One of the easiest ways to address this type of knocking is to start by turning off your main water supply valve. Be sure to let everyone in your home know before you do this, since it will stop all incoming water. Next, flush the lines by opening your faucets and flushing your toilets. Water can still leave your home through the drainage pipes, helping empty the supply lines.
Once the lines are cleared, slowly turn the main valve back on. Taking your time allows the air chambers in your plumbing system to refill as water returns to the pipes. After the lines have been emptied and refilled, the knocking sound should be gone.
In many cases, that’s all it takes. However, if you have trouble locating your main valve or are not comfortable shutting it off, a plumber can help with the proper tools and knowledge for different types of shutoff valves.
If you live in an apartment building or another shared property, you may not have access to the main water supply or be able to perform this fix yourself. In that case, contact your superintendent or landlord, explain what you’re hearing, and ask them to inspect the plumbing and address the issue.
Knocking pipes can be frustrating, especially when the noise interrupts a quiet home. Knowing what may be causing the problem and how to address it can make the situation easier to manage. Keeping up with water line maintenance, can also help you stay on top of your home’s plumbing and catch potential issues before they become bigger concerns.