You’re standing in the kitchen. Nothing’s running. But then — bang. Or hum. Or that weird high-pitched squeal you’ve started ignoring. If you live in Sacramento and your plumbing is getting noisy, we’ve got news: it’s not just in your head. Your pipes are trying to say something.

At Golden Valley Plumbing, we’ve tracked down pipe noises in crawlspaces, behind walls, under driveways — you name it. And while some sounds are harmless, others are the first warning signs of real trouble.

Let’s break down the most common ones we hear about (and fix) every week.

Loud banging? That’s probably water hammer.

If your pipes slam when you shut off a faucet, it’s not a ghost — it’s water hammer. That sudden jolt happens when flowing water stops fast and hits a dead end. Over time, the vibration can loosen joints or even crack old fittings.

Modern homes usually have shock absorbers built in. Older Sacramento homes? Not always. We’ve added water hammer arrestors to countless properties — it’s a small fix that makes a big difference.

Whistling or squealing? You’ve got pressure — or valve — problems.

High-pitched sounds from toilets, sinks, or showers usually mean one thing: something’s restricting the flow. It could be a partly closed valve, a worn washer, or buildup inside old plumbing parts.

We’ve seen homes where a single corroded shutoff valve turned a quiet evening into a whistling concert. Sometimes the fix is replacing a $10 part. Sometimes it means installing a pressure regulator for the whole home.

Low humming or vibrating? Check your water pressure.

That low drone you hear when everything’s off? That’s often excessive pressure humming through your lines. We’ve tested water pressure over 100 PSI in some Sacramento neighborhoods — way above safe limits.
In those cases, we often recommend installing a whole-home water pressure reducer to protect your pipes and keep the noise — and damage — in check.

High pressure stresses your pipes, shortens the life of your appliances, and can lead to leaks. If your house rattles when the washing machine kicks on, don’t wait — it won’t fix itself.

Ticking or clicking? It might be your pipes expanding.

This one is usually more annoying than dangerous. When hot water flows through PEX or CPVC, the pipes expand slightly and rub against wood framing. That “tick-tick-tick” you hear in the wall? It’s probably that.

We’ve added insulation or repositioned pipes in more than a few Sacramento homes to quiet these down — especially in new builds where things settle into place.

Bottom line:
Noisy pipes aren’t just “a thing houses do.” They’re early warnings. And whether it’s pressure, age, or a worn-out part, the team at Golden Valley Plumbing knows how to quiet things down. If your home in Sacramento is starting to talk back — give us a call. We’ll listen, and then fix it.