5 Plumbing Sounds You Should Never Ignore

Your plumbing system shouldn’t be noisy. While occasional sounds from running water or flushing toilets are normal, persistent or strange noises are often red flags. For homeowners in Billings and Laurel, understanding which plumbing sounds signal trouble can help you catch issues early—before they turn into costly repairs. At Brown Plumbing & Heating, we encourage clients to treat these sounds like warning signs and get them checked out as soon as they’re noticed.

Here are five plumbing sounds you should never ignore—and what they might mean for your home.

1. Banging or Clanging (Also Known as “Water Hammer”)

If you hear a loud bang when you turn off a faucet or when your washing machine shuts off, that’s water hammer. It happens when water flowing through your pipes suddenly stops or changes direction, causing a shockwave.

Water hammer can damage pipe joints and valves over time. It’s often caused by high water pressure or the absence (or failure) of a water hammer arrestor. In older Billings homes, this is especially common. Installing pressure-reducing valves or arrestors can usually fix the problem.

2. Gurgling Drains

A gurgling drain might seem harmless, but it usually means a venting issue or partial blockage. Plumbing vents allow air to escape from your pipes, letting water flow freely. If a vent is blocked—or if the pipe is partially clogged—the result is a gurgling noise as air fights to pass through.

This sound often happens in kitchen sinks, showers, or bathroom drains and can be an early warning sign of a developing clog or even sewer line trouble. If your drains are slow or smelly in addition to gurgling, it’s time to call a plumber.

3. Whistling or Squealing Pipes

High-pitched squealing or whistling when you turn on a faucet often points to worn-out washers, loose valves, or pressure issues. You might hear this sound from one faucet—or from several. If it’s just one fixture, the problem may be isolated to a specific valve or aerator. But if it’s happening throughout the house, it could be a pressure regulator problem or buildup inside the pipes.

Ignoring this noise can lead to leaks or water waste, especially if aging parts finally give out. Our team can quickly identify the faulty part and restore quiet, efficient flow.

4. Dripping Sounds (Even If You Don’t See a Leak)

A drip, drip, drip in the middle of the night is not just annoying—it’s expensive. Even a slow leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water per year and raise your water bill. If you hear dripping but can’t see a leak, it might be coming from a pipe inside the wall, under a floor, or behind a cabinet.

In colder months, undetected leaks can lead to mold growth, water damage, or even frozen pipe bursts. In Laurel and Billings, where winter temps drop fast, it’s critical to address mystery drips right away.

5. Rumbling or Popping from the Water Heater

If your water heater sounds like it’s boiling or popping popcorn, sediment buildup is likely to blame. As minerals from hard water settle at the bottom of the tank, they trap heat underneath and cause steam bubbles that create rumbling sounds.

Over time, this buildup can reduce efficiency, raise your energy bill, and shorten the lifespan of the unit. Regular flushing helps remove sediment, and we recommend annual inspections—especially in areas with mineral-heavy water like parts of Montana.

Don’t Tune Out Plumbing Problems

While it’s tempting to ignore strange noises or hope they go away, plumbing sounds are often your home’s way of asking for help. The good news? Catching issues early can prevent major damage and expensive repairs.

At Brown Plumbing & Heating, we offer sound diagnostics, leak detection, and full-system inspections to help you stay ahead of problems. Whether it’s a noisy faucet, a gurgling drain, or a suspicious drip, our licensed pros in Billings and Laurel can get to the root of the issue fast.

Schedule Your Inspection Today

Don’t let a small sound turn into a big problem. Contact https://brownplbg.com to book your plumbing inspection, or call us directly for fast, local service. We’ll help you restore peace and quiet—and plumbing peace of mind.