Why Is My Shower Making Strange Noises?
Normally, your shower and shower head should make very little noise, except for the sound of flowing water. If you notice your shower making weird noises – such as a whistling shower head or squealing – this can indicate other plumbing issues in your bathroom.
At Roto-Rooter High Desert, we help everyone with our plumbing services in Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Victorville, including weird shower noises. These are some of the most common problems we see.
Five Common Causes for Strange Shower Noises
1 – A broken or clogged shower head
A whistling shower head is usually a broken shower head. Check it for signs of physical damage, such as cracks. Also, examine the shower holes closely to see if they are clogged. It’s possible to clean it by soaking it in vinegar to loosen the clogs, but if your shower head is more than a few years old, it’s probably easier just to replace it. Modern shower heads are more water-efficient too!
2 – Clogged pipes
If you have particularly ‘hard’ water (full of minerals) it’s also possible the pipe leading up to the showerhead has become clogged. If this is the case, the strange sounds will be coming from below the showerhead. This is relatively easy to fix on your own; just remove the showerhead and clean out the pipe.
3 – A faulty shower cartridge
In modern showers, the shower cartridge is what controls the flow and temperature coming out of the shower. These are more reliable than older handle valves, and also easier to replace. It’s almost always directly behind the handle. This is potentially replaceable as a DIY project, but if you don’t feel comfortable disassembling your shower handles, just call in a professional.
(Important! Always shut off water to your bathroom before working on the handles, or else you could get scalded by hot water.)
4- A loose shower arm
The shower arm is the pipe that connects the showerhead to the water supply. If it is loose, it can vibrate and make a whistling or rattling noise. To tighten the shower arm, you will need a wrench.
5 – Broken shower valve or diverter valve
These are the two valves that physically control the flow of water, either to the faucet or to the showerhead. Unfortunately, they’re almost always buried inside the wall, which makes them hard to access. If the other ideas here haven’t helped fix your whistling shower, call in a professional plumber to investigate the problem further.
Get a FREE Quote on Plumbing in Hesperia, Apple Valley, & Victorville
Roto-Rooter High Desert is your #1 choice for plumbing services in Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Victorville. If your shower is whistling, or leaky, don’t ignore the problem – contact us to schedule a service visit!
