If you can hear the clanking of creaking pipes why you lie awake at night, you’re likely willing to do anything possible to get that noise to stop. However, like many things in life, your question can be answered by figuring this out. So, why are my pipes making noise?

As you can see, if you learn to live with the noise, eventually it becomes tolerable. After that, you’d be able to drown out the noise. Even though you’re able to deal with it, ignoring these sounds could be costly in the long run. Often enough, these could be warning signs of underlying plumbing issues.

Banging or Clanking

This noise seems like lots of racket, but often it indicates that your pipes are loose. As you can see, this is quite common in buildings (especially older ones).

These pipes flex when the flow of water comes to a halt. After that, it causes some rattling. Fortunately, are relatively easy to fix with the help of an experienced plumber.

Tick-Tock

If you’ve got a tick-tock and it’s not from a clock, trying to track down where that noise is coming from can often be infuriating. Luckily, the ticking sound is usually just your water meter reverberating through your building’s pipes. This happens often if it’s located near your foundation. Additionally, you’re more likely to hear this noise when the water is on. However, if you don’t hear it, there’s not much you can do to avoid it.

Drip-Drop

Dripping can be a clue to more serious concerns that may have otherwise alluded you. Although many times a drip is coming from something as simple to fix as a leaky faucet, other areas that should be inspected very closely include your water heaters, refrigerator, and especially the inside of your walls. It is imperative that you locate the cause of your leak and have it addressed by someone who knows how to fix it correctly so you can avoid any future damage.

Whether your pipes are dripping, ticking, or banging, it’s important to remember that these little annoyances can sometimes be warning signs which should not be ignored. If you’re asking yourself “why are my pipes making noise” or are unsure about whether or not your noisy pipes are the sign of something more serious, contact one of our Action Plumbing experts today.

There are typically two kinds of people in this world … the kind who have zero interest in the inner workings of their business’ plumbing systems and the kind who need to know every intricacy imaginable. For those of you who have little interest, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing in common myths perpetuated online about how your plumbing really works. Here are a few of the most common weird plumbing myths clarified to help you demystify the plumbing in your business.

Myth #1 Plungers Fix Everything

Sure, plungers can certainly come in handy, especially for everyday issues. However, using a plunger for a serious clog can actually make it worse! Know when it’s time to put down the plunger and call a professional.

Myth #2 Leaky Faucets Are Okay

Remember … leaky faucets = wasted water, and wasted water is bad. Period. Even the slightest drip can lead to a huge amount of water lost each year. So do your part, save some water (and some money) and get those leaky faucets fixed asap.

Myth #3 In the Southern Hemisphere Water Drains Clockwise

Sorry to say, but this all too common myth is completely false. The direction water circulates has nothing to do with where you live and everything to do with something called the Coriolis force and the actual structure of your plumbing.

Myth #4 Animals Can’t Swim Into Your Toilet

It’s actually not that uncommon for a creepy critter to navigate through your pipes and pop up in your toilet bowl. Some of the more adventurous are snakes and rats, so it’s always a good idea to keep your eyes open just in case.

Myth #5 It’s Okay to Flush Your Goldfish

So this is a tough one because you can flush a dead fish down the toilet, but a fish that’s alive is definitely a no-no. Why? Believe it or not, these fish can actually reproduce and grow to become oversized, freaky giants, causing havoc on the eco-system.

So, you’ve taken all the precautions you can think of in order to prevent your pipes from freezing, but alas, you’ve found yourself with a problem. You turn on the faucet in the bathroom or kitchen and … nothing. Not a drop comes out.

What to do now?

For starters, don’t panic. It’s time to get to work because your frozen pipes need to be addressed immediately in order to avoid damage.

Here’s some helpful advice on how to thaw a frozen pipe in your business:

The first thing you need to do is figure out exactly what pipe is frozen and where the problem area is. This is often easier said than done, particularly if you have a large business. Start with the most likely culprits … unfinished basements and attics are usually a good place to begin your search.

Once you locate your frozen pipe you need to apply heat utilizing one of the following methods:

• A hand-held hair dryer is often the fastest and easiest way to thaw a frozen pipe. Just move the hot hair up and down the frozen area of the pipe evenly and consistently.
• Place a space heater near the frozen pipe no closer than 3 feet and allow the hot hair to heat the pipe. Be sure your heater is no closer than the recommended safe distance to avoid a potential fire.
• Apply heat tape (which can usually be purchased at any hardware store) to the frozen part of the pipe. Just wrap it evenly and plug it in to begin heating. Don’t forget to remove the heat tape when your thaw job is complete. Heat tape is NOT meant to be kept on your pipes all the time and doing so can cause a fire.

And remember, you should NEVER attempt to thaw your pipes using an open flame. Doing so can have a disastrous outcome, resulting in a life-threatening fire.

If you have questions or concerns about a frozen pipe in your business, Action Plumbing is here to help. Contact us anytime to talk with one of our experts. Our professional plumbing services are available anytime, day or night to give you the assistance you need when you need it.