While ghost stories have always been with us, nothing accelerated their popularity more than modern plumbing systems. Pipes, boilers, and faucets have an uncanny ability to stimulate our superstitions, thanks to the eerie sounds they make when they malfunction. 

Plumbing noises, however, aren’t the dead trying to communicate with you – they’re just a sign that you have something wrong with your system, and you need to do something to fix it. 

Knowing what different sounds mean, though, can be a challenge. If you’re not a plumber, you can’t always tell the difference between a whistling or clunking noise, and whether it is dangerous or not. 

In this post, we’re going to run through some of the noises you can hear and what they might mean. Don’t take any of this as gospel; you’ll need an accredited plumber to diagnose the actual issue with your system. But these general rules of thumb can help steer you towards the source of the problem. 

Banging Sounds In Your Pipes

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Banging sounds in your pipes are among the most unnerving noises that you can hear in your home. All that rattling and clanking can lead you to believe that there’s a poltergeist in your midst. 

The actual cause of this sound is something called a “water hammer,” and it usually means that you have some kind of blockage. 

Piping doesn’t stay perfectly clean forever. Over time, gunk builds up in the system and impedes the flow of water. When this happens, it jolts around, creating a hammer-like action. 

The trick here is to clear the obstruction. Identifying where that is, however, is a challenge, and requires the help of a professional. A company that specializes in plumbing such as Quick Clear Drainage is a good choice to address and identify the problem. Don’t start taking your piping apart yourself – you’ll wind up with flooding. 

Growling When You Turn On The Hot Water

If you’ve noticed a growling noise when you switch on the hot water in your home, you’re not alone. It is a plumbing problem that afflicts most homeowners at some point in their lives. 

The good news is that it doesn’t mean your plumbing is angry with you. Instead, it is usually a sign that there is a problem with your water heater. The thermostats in water heaters can sometimes go haywire, causing them to overheat the water. When this happens, they reach boiling point, creating bubbles of water vapor in the system. When you turn on the tap, these bubbles escape energetically, producing the noise that you hear. 

Growling is potentially a severe problem that could cause your water tank to explode. If you have this problem, leave your faucets running for ten minutes and turn off your boiler manually. 

Whistling When You Use The Shower Or Turn On A Faucet

Whistling sounds when you turn on your shower or faucet usually indicate an obstruction. It could mean that you have debris in the system or an issue with your ABS butterfly valve. Whatever the cause, the solution is relatively straightforward – replace the defective part. 

In some cases, whistling results from loose material inside the piping. As water rushes past, it creates a kind of howling sound. Usually, this kind of whistling is benign, but it is also annoying, so you may want to fix it anyway. 

If your toilet whistles after you flush it, then it is likely the result of limescale buildup. You can buy special products you add to your cistern that remove any residue naturally. 

Gurgling Sounds When You Empty The Bath

Hearing gurgling sounds when you empty the bath is another common plumbing annoyance, seemingly with no explanation. Again, it is not some spirit trapped in your piping – usually, it is a sign of a clog.

Most clogs in the bathroom result from hair traveling into the pipe and then becoming congealed with shower products. Typically, you wind up with a big, slimy lump of material. Eventually, this accumulates more debris and grows into a clog that blocks your pipes completely. 

Dealing with this issue is usually relatively straightforward. Either grab a plunger and try to dislodge it that way. Or use some drain unblocking fluid to dissolve and remove it. 

Dripping Sounds That Don’t Stop When You Turn Off The Faucet

Hearing dripping sounds when all your faucets are closed can be a little unnerving. Unfortunately, you can hear dripping for all kinds of reasons. If the dripping carries on regardless, then it could be a sign that your pipes are leaking. If that’s the case, seek professional assistance immediately. Leaving the problem unresolved could lead to severe water damage. 

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Home repairs are one of the biggest expenses of being a homeowner. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce the cost of home repairs. Here are just a few ways to make home repairs less expensive.

Know when to go DIY

Taking on repairs yourself can save you the cost of having to hire contractors. However, you should be careful of which repair jobs you attempt. If you’re not DIY-savvy you could botch up the repair and then pay more to get this fixed. There are also some jobs such as electrics and roof repair that can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. The key with any home repairs is to do your research. How-to blogs and YouTube tutorials can be great for teaching DIY skills.

Use your network

There may be people in your close network with handyman experience that you can call upon. They may be able to offer their services at a discount or even for free (providing it’s not a major repair). Such people are also likely to be trustworthy if you know them relatively well.

Shop around for contractors

If you decide to use contractors, make sure to shop around. By collecting lots of quotes, you can find the best price. Make sure to also research into the reputation of contractors so that you hire a company with a good track record. Positive reviews and glowing testimonials are often a sign that a company is reliable and trustworthy.

Source your own parts and materials

Many contractors are able to source parts and materials for you, but it could be cheaper to source them yourself. Contractors will generally try to make a profit on any parts or materials that they have to buy, so you’re better off buying yourself directly. You can find niche parts such as Berkeley pumps online for affordable prices. You can also find discounted materials online by opting for reclaimed materials.

Time it right

If the repairs don’t need to be made urgently, it could be worth waiting until the right time to schedule repairs. You’ll often find that many contractors lower their prices in January when there’s less demand (fewer people can afford repairs after Christmas and so many companies reduce their prices to attract business). Certain repairs may also have a seasonal demand – you may find that looking into repairs out of season saves you money. For instance, heating system repairs are generally cheaper in summer, while air conditioning unit repairs are cheaper in winter.  

Take preventative action

The best way to save money on home repairs is to take preventative action where possible. When making upgrades to your home or buying new appliances, don’t just settle for cheap low-quality options. Investing in decent appliances that are built to last and hire professional companies to carry out renovations so that you know you’re getting high quality results. Certain repairs can also be cheaper when made early. For instance, it pays to fix leaks from pipes early – ignoring them for some time could result in water damage to walls and ceilings, plus your water bill is likely to be very high.   

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When it comes to moving house, there can be a lot of risks that are involved. In fact, it goes beyond whether your family will be happy in your new home and can relate to issues of comfort, safety, and financial risk as well. However, knowing what to look out for and how to avoid such problems can help you minimise the risk involved in moving to a new home. Something you can read about below. 

Bad neighbours 

Unfortunately, you don’t get to pick and choose your neighbours. In fact, you may well have bought a new home without even setting eyes on the people that live next door. Sadly, it can be neighbours that cause a lot of problems. From annoying issues such as loud music at all hours of the night to scarier issues such as violence or criminal activity. 

Of course, one way to screen for this sort of concern is to take a good look at the properties next door before you buy. With homes next to others that are being kept in reasonable condition being a better bet. However, this rule does not always work, and you can never wholly tell what you are letting you and your family if for. 

Happily, there is another option you can use here as well. Its to use the internet to search whether people in the neighbourhood have any concerns with particular houses or residents. Additionally, you will also find crime statistics online as well, which can help you decide whether the community you are looking at is right for you. 

Too Much Clutter

One major issue that so many households come across when they’re trying to minimise the risk and the stress of moving is going to be the clutter. Sometimes, homes are just going to have too much stuff. Where did all of this junk come from anyways? Whether it’s loads of boxes, suitcases, or unloved furniture, fortunately, there are options like junk removal that help the process. However, you’ll still need to go through everything to see what your household can and cannot depart with.

Contamination 

It’s a sad state of affairs to be sure. However, the second risk that needs to be discussed here is that of contamination resulting from drug use in a property. In fact, making or using illegal narcotics such as meth can result in a residue that lingers even after the previous residents have moved out. This being something that can be a real health risk to the new family moving in. 

With that in mind, it can be an excellent idea to get meth testing by a professional done. If you are concerned about drug use in a property you have just bought, that is. Then at least you can deal with any lasting consequences of the previous occupant’s drug use safely and responsibly. 

Structural problems 

Another major issue when it comes to moving home is getting there and realising that there are far more severe structural problems that you first though. Something that can not only be unsafe and inconvenient but can cost you a lot of money to repair as well. 

It is, however, possible to minimise the risk of this by getting a full survey before you put an offer on the property. Also, check the laws relating to poetry purchase where you live. The reason being that in some locations, sellers are required to declare any serious issues before purchase. Therefore the previous owner can be liable for the cost of rectifying them if they are not. Something that will help you minimise any finial risks involved in moving home.

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To say that moving day isn’t stressful would be a lie.

If you have ever been through the experience, then moving day stress will be something very familiar to you, we are sure. From trying to cram all of your belongings into boxes to dealing with the household clutter that has been left behind, your stress levels will be bubbling over.

Still, it is possible to make life easier for yourself. By asking people to help you pack, and by hiring the right removalist, many of your moving day worries can be alleviated. 

But then there are those hidden stresses that you might not be expecting. These are the stresses that can hinder and spoil your day. These are the stresses that we discuss below.

#1: Saying goodbye to your old home

We grow attached to our homes. From the rooms that our children have played in, to the areas of home that have marked special celebrations, to simply say goodbye to these things can be difficult. When moving day comes around, and you have finally shut the door for good, you might well start to grieve the house you are leaving behind and start to feel regretful and stressed as a result. Am I doing the right thing, you might ask yourself.

To overcome this stress, it is important to have a positive mindset. It’s easier said than done, we know, but if you can remember why you are moving, then you might be able to replace happier thoughts over sad ones. And besides, you will still be able to retain your happy memories of your old home, so even though a new chapter is about to begin, remember that you aren’t fully closing the door on your old life forever. 

#2: Your children

We mean this in two ways.

For one, your children might get underfoot when you’re trying to pack everything into your car or the removal van. They might unpack your boxes in the hunt for a toy or something to eat, and that will create more work for you. And your workload might also be increased if you then have to carry out extra cleanup work because of your kids. 

Secondly, your children’s emotions could be a source of stress. They might be overly-excited, and this could affect their behavior during the day. Or they could be going through the grieving process themselves, perhaps because they are saying goodbye to their friends as well as their old home. In this situation, they will be stressed, and you will be stressed out trying to manage their emotional needs.

A house move can be tough for all of you, but where your kids are concerned, you can make your life and their lives easier. 

On moving day itself, you might want to send them off to a childminder for a few hours, as this way, you won’t have to cope with overly-excitable or naughty behaviors that could make your life more difficult. 

And when it comes to your children feeling sad, you should engage with them before the move. Perhaps have a goodbye ceremony at home, where you can all come to terms with leaving. And perhaps have a party too, as your children will be able to say goodbye to their friends properly, and collect their contact details. With the emotional aspects of moving dealt with early, it might be that moving day itself is a little easier for both them and you. 

We hope you have a (mostly) stress-free moving day. 

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