Why Does My Plumbing Sound Like a Foghorn?

Hearing a loud, foghorn sound from your plumbing is disconcerting. It makes you wonder if there is a serious problem, and an emergency can disrupt your family life. Vaughan Comfort services can root out the cause of the problem and provide a solution that will get things back in good, working order. Call 856-627-0303 or contact us online to learn more.

Causes of Noisy Plumbing

Turning on a sink or flushing a toilet and hearing a noise like a foghorn is a startling problem. This sound is not normal, and it can indicate a problem is brewing with your plumbing. Calling a professional plumber can help you find the root cause of your noise.

This problem can stem from a lot of different issues. It can be problems with:

• Toilets
• Faucets
• Pipes
• Water heaters
• Water pressure
• Water supply lines

Pinpointing the exact cause can be challenging for many homeowners. That is why you need the services of a qualified plumbing professional.

Vaughan Comfort Services has a team of plumbers who are ready to help you get to the bottom of your issue and find a workable solution to stop the startling noise. We are standing by to offer our knowledge and skill if you are experiencing any plumbing problems.

Thankfully, a foghorn sound is not likely to be from an emergency plumbing issue. Here is a closer look at some of the common problems that cause a foghorn sound from your plumbing.

What Causes a Foghorn Sound from the Toilet?

A foghorn sound coming from the toilet usually stems from problems with the ballcock valve, also known as the flapper or toilet fill valve. Some toilets have metal ballcock valves that contain washers inside. If that washer gets loose or worn, it can cause this sound.

To test this theory, open the toilet tank. Flush the toilet, and when you hear the noise as the toilet is refilling, lift the float to the top of the tank. If this stops the noise, then you know you’ve found the issue.

Replacing the valve can eliminate the foghorn noise from your toilet. Our plumbers can perform this fix quickly, so you can stop the sound from startling you with every flush.

What Causes a Foghorn Sound from a Faucet?

Faucets can also be the culprit of this noise. Inside your faucet, a washer helps keep things running. A loose faucet washer can cause the noise.

Thankfully, this is not a serious plumbing issue, but it is annoying. To fix it, tighten the screws on the faucet or replace the faucet washer. You can pick up a new one at the hardware store. If this stops the sound, you’ve fixed the issue.

If you feel that the sound is connected to your faucet, but tightening the screws or replacing the loose washer does not eliminate the problem, reach out to our plumbing team for a professional assessment.

What Causes a Foghorn Sound from Inside the Walls?

Sometimes the foghorn sound isn’t quite so easy to detect. You may notice that it seems to come from inside your walls.

This can be a trickier problem to solve because you cannot see inside your walls. Old pipes are often the culprit of this sound, so you can suspect it if you have an older home.

Similarly, if a bracket has come loose around one of the water pipes they may be loose, and loose pipes can cause the foghorn sound as well as rattling and banging noises.

If the sound is from inside your walls, you’re going to want to call a plumber. Our team has the tools to pinpoint the cause of the problem and fix it without too much damage to your home.

What Causes a Foghorn Sound from the Water Heater?

If the water heater seems to be the source of the problem, consider when the last time you had the water heater cleaned. The process of generating hot water allows minerals to build up inside the tank and on the burners. When the burners become dirty, you may hear loud noises from your system.

The best way to eliminate this issue is to schedule a water heater flush. Vaughan Comfort Services can perform this important service and stop unwanted noise. This will also prevent you from being stuck with cold water because your water heater stops working.  Use our contact page and we will check your plumbing problems out.

Thankfully, this is a problem you can prevent with proper maintenance. We recommend a water heater flush annually to prevent sediment buildup. If you stay on top of this maintenance issue, your water heater is unlikely to cause loud noises in your home.

What Other Problems Can Cause a Foghorn Sound?

While these are the common problems that lead to a foghorn sound, they can also come from some less common issues. Here are some of them:

Water Pressure Concerns

The water pressure inside your system can lead to loud noises. If the pressure reducing valve is not working properly, high pressure can build up in the pipes, causing many loud noises. This is known as a water hammer. Replacing or repairing the pressure regulator system can stop these strange sounds.

Washing Machine Issues

Water hammers can also come from your washing machine. If you’re hearing the sound as the machine fills up with water, it may indicate a problem with the solenoid fill valve. Replacing this valve will eliminate the problem. This valve is hard to reach, however, so you may need an expert’s help to replace it.

Faulty Pipe Installation

Faulty pipe installation can also be a cause of plumbing noises. This scenario requires a professional assessment, because you may not know that the pipes are incorrectly installed without the help of a plumber.

Water Supply Line Problems

Issues with your water supply lines can also create problems with noises. In older homes, supply lines may not be secured well. This creates water hammers and foghorn noises. Since you are dealing with your main water lines this is an issue your plumbing team needs to address.

Why Choose Vaughan for Noisy Plumbing Problems?

Noisy problems from your plumbing can be disconcerting. Thankfully, a foghorn noise is rarely a plumbing emergency, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get it fixed. It can be disconcerting to have loud noises coming from your plumbing, regardless of the cause.

Experienced Plumbers in Southern New Jersey

Vaughan Comfort Services has been serving Southern New Jersey since 1937. We have the experience and knowledge you want when you face plumbing and HVAC needs. Our plumbers are licensed professionals who deliver exceptional service to every customer. We strive to provide that service with a high level of integrity, so you can trust the advice and recommendations you get from us.

Personal, Professional Attention

At Vaughan, we give each customer individual attention. You never feel like just another number when you work with one of our plumbers. We strive to ensure you feel confident and comfortable with the service we provide, and we work hard to get your plumbing systems back in good, working order.

Tenacious Plumbers who Find the Problem

Our team will push to find the root cause of your problem. We create workable solutions that get you back in good shape quickly. Even challenging plumbing problems, like those hidden behind the walls in your home, are no match for our skilled plumbing pros.

Licensed, Insured Plumbing Professionals

When you call Vaughan, we will send a licensed, insured plumbing professional to your home. Our team drives fully stocked vehicles, so we have the tools and parts to fix the problem in a timely manner.

You do not have to suffer from foghorn sounds from your plumbing. Vaughan Comfort Services has solutions.

Schedule Plumbing Service with Vaughan Comfort Services Today

For a fast, free quote for your plumbing problems, call 856-627-0303 or complete the online contact form to speak with one of our plumbing professionals today.