For many, taking a shower isn’t just an opportunity to freshen up; it’s a soothing and therapeutic respite from the stresses of everyday life. Unfortunately, a whistling or squealing shower head could ruin an otherwise relaxing shower. In addition to being unpleasant, a whistling or squealing noise coming from your shower could be a sign of a plumbing problem. Below, the experienced Gainesville plumbers with Quality Plumbing of Gainesville Inc. outline four reasons why your shower is making strange noises.
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Clogged Shower Head
One of the most common reasons why a shower might be making a whistling noise is a clogged shower head pipe. Over time, a showerhead’s pipe can become clogged by a buildup of mineral deposits. Water passing through the narrow passage of a clogged shower head pipe can create a high-pitched squealing or whistling sound. Fortunately, this problem can easily be fixed by removing your showerhead and cleaning it with a solution that dissolves minerals, such as white vinegar. If you still hear the noise after cleaning the shower head, it may need to be replaced.
Worn Out Diverter Valve
If you have a shower that doubles as a bathtub, you also have a diverter valve responsible for switching your water flow from the bathtub to the showerhead. As a diverter valve begins to wear out after continued use, it may begin to make a squealing noise. To test if your diverter valve is the issue, toggle the diverter valve’s handle and listen for any changes in the noise. If you hear a change in the noise when adjusting the valve, then it’s likely that the diverter valve is worn out and needs to be replaced.
Blocked Shower Cartridge
Some showers have a cartridge that sits inside of their faucet. Much like a showerhead, these cartridges can become clogged and start loudly squealing. Worse yet, a shower cartridge could be making noise if damaged. Unfortunately, blocked shower cartridges are harder to fix than clogged shower heads, and you will likely need the services of a licensed plumber. Contact our Gainesville plumbers today for shower repair services!
Your Water Pressure Is Too High
Much like how a teakettle will whistle once enough pressure builds up inside it, the same is true for high water pressure and showerheads. One way to address this problem is to install a water pressure regulator. Additionally, you could try cleaning your showerhead’s aerator to make water flow through easier. However, if neither installing a water pressure regulator nor cleaning the aerator solves the problem, you may need to replace your shower head with one made for high water pressure.