Have you ever turned on the water and heard a knocking or other sound in the pipes behind the wall?  Such noises are commonplace and typically pose no hazzard.  The noise usually is one of two types. 

The first is known as “water hammer” and happens when the water is turned off.  Because water is heavy, it picks up speed that vibrates and creates a moving force through the pipe, so the pipe rattles when the movement stops as the water is turned off.  When the pipe is better secured to the framing, or a “water hammer arrestor” is installed to serve as a type of “shock absorber”, the sound should stop.

The second sound, which can be a bumping, bang or drip-like sound, occurs only when using hot water.  It usually is due to expansion of the pipes.  If the pipe is not snugly attached to the wood studs in the wall, the expansion causes rubbing, hence the noise.  Again, more secure attachment can help alleviate that sound.  Fortunately, neither of these are likely to cause any plumbing damage and most people just accept it as mildly annoying. 

When purchasing a new house, your home inspector will check the water flow and make suggestions if anything abnormal is occuring.  To protect yourself when buying a home, choose an experienced agent to assist you.  Contact Great Triangle Homes - The Shuping Advantage Team to learn more about buying a home or to view homes in the Durham, Pittsboro or Durham areas.  Wilma Gunnesch is the team agent who works with Buyers to help locate your home and then guide and assist you through the process of negotiations, inspections and closing.  Connie Shuping is the team member who works with Sellers to actively market and sell a home to a Seller’s best advantage.