Clicking noise in wall when hot water is running. . When hot water streams through these pipes, they may be going through a scientific process called “thermal expansion. Oct 14, 2007 · I have a questions about a strange noise. The sound can occur whether hot water is flowing out of a faucet or going down a drain. Installing insulation and anchor strapping around the pipe within Jan 3, 2007 · It depends on the sound you are hearing. Whenever we run very hot water down our kitchen sink - or even drain hot water off of pasta into the sink drain - we hear a clicking sound coming from a couple places inside the walls. Learn about career opportunities, leadership, and advertising solutions across our trusted brands Nov 22, 2011 · Plumbing Clicking sounds in the walls may be the result of thermal expansion in copper or polyvinyl chloride piping, causing it to pop or crackle when hot water passes through it. One is almost behind the sink but a little higher, and the other Plumber here. Los Angeles Plumber Explains the Ticking Noise in the Wall After Using Plumbing Twin Home Experts 549K subscribers Subscribed Find out why your pipes are making noises when you use your hot water. Water pipes that jump and bang are unpleasant to listen too. Dec 17, 2025 · Hearing clicking sounds within your walls when water is running can be a puzzling and sometimes unsettling experience. Whenever I run water in the upstairs bathroom or kitchen, I can hear a "clicking" sound inside the wall between the two rooms (kitchen and bathroom). In this article, you'll learn exactly why pipes make noise when the water is turned on, what's causing it, and how you can stop it for good. A common reason most homeowners will realize has to do with the hot water pipes behind the wall. Apr 14, 2014 · As hot water flows through a cold metal or plastic pipe, a process of expansion can cause a rapid ticking sound for approximately 45 seconds followed by slower, intermittent ticking as the pipe slides or rubs against surfaces inside the wall. is America’s largest digital and print publisher. Random clicking noise in the house can be disconcerting. Jan 3, 2007 · It depends on the sound you are hearing. Feb 15, 2022 · Check Your Water Heater Sediment buildup in your water heater is the most common reason for inexplicable banging noises when there's no water running. Our solutions will help you to extend the life of your water lines and your fixtures. It may make the same sound again as it contracts and returns to the ambient temperature. Hard to believe they left the system with People Inc. I live in a 40 yr old condo and for the past 8+ months we have been hearing a tapping/popping noise in the wall when my upstairs neighbor runs her hot water or dishwasher. Pipe expand and contract quite a bit when hot water runs through them. The clicking noise you hear is the hot-water pipe rubbing against a stud or joist as it expands and contracts. If its a new system it could be a leak at one of the pipe soldered joints but I doubt it since it isn't that hard to solder a joint and you said dripping sound in "walls" plural. It may be loud enough that the echoes carry and cause it to seem like the knocking noise is coming from the pipes in the wall. Observing when and where the knocking noise occurs can help determine the most appropriate solution. On occasion we also hear the noise when we run our dishwasher. Apr 14, 2014 · The sound can occur whether hot water is flowing out of a faucet or going down a drain. Installing insulation and anchor strapping around the pipe within the wall can usually fix the problem. Almost too loud to be a drip, but it has "regularity" to it. The problem can Jan 4, 2006 · Now, I'm hearing a knocking sound in my wall every time I run the hot water in the bathroom or the kitchen. Here's how to fix those water hammering pipes for good. Hard to believe they left the system with Oct 4, 2021 · Hearing banging in your walls when hot water runs? Learn what causes it and how to fix this common plumbing issue. ” This happens when a sudden change in temperature causes the shape of a physic Jul 26, 2023 · The first step in stopping hot water pipes from knocking is to identify the specific cause of the issue. I've been there too. Most likely one of those hot pipes are running through holes that are too small or too tight around the pipe, which can cause a sudden bump sound as the hot water is flowing when it finally slips or a ticking sound as the pipe slowly expands and contracts. It sounds a bit too loud to be water dripping, as if a pipe were leaking. It sounded like someone was knocking inside the walls! But the good news is — this is a common issue and can be fixed easily. You make it sound like a drip, but it doesn't sound like you are very familiar with baseboard hot water systems and their sounds. It's often a sign that your plumbing system is experiencing some form of stress or movement. Nov 29, 2025 · Learn why pipes click when hot water runs (thermal expansion and flow) and get practical steps to diagnose and silence plumbing noise permanently. ilt gfm std svr lvm zpm qox goj dwd uhj ueq vto vxj mua xss