If you’re hearing a loud noise when your shower is on, it could be because of any number of things.
It might be the water heater, the pump, or even the plumbing.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the potential causes of this problem and offer some solutions.
Shower Making Loud Vibrating Noise
Is your shower making a loud vibrating noise? This can be so irritating.
Here are the likely causes of the loud vibrating noise from your shower, especially when turned on, and how you can fix the problem:
1. Water Pressure
The ideal water pressure for your shower should be about 40 to 60 psi. Lower pressure will cause the shower to give a whistling or humming sound. Higher pressure water passing through the shower will cause you to hear a rattling or vibrating noise.
Low or high pressure in the shower can be caused by different reasons like the partial opening of the main valve, clogs, leakages, faulty faucets, and so on.
Solutions
Check the main water supply valve to the shower. Perhaps, it’s partially closed. Open it fully by turning it completely counterclockwise to increase or clockwise to reduce the water pressure in the pipes.
Turn on the shower to see if the problem is fixed. Otherwise, check if the main water supply valve is connected to a water regulator. With a wrench, loosen the nut and adjust the bolt gently to fix the water pressure.
If doing this doesn’t fix the vibrating noise, water pressure is likely not the culprit. Move on to the next likely cause of the loud vibrating noise from your shower.
2. Clogs, Sediment, and/or Mineral Deposit in the Showerhead
Clogs, sediment, and/or mineral deposits in the showerhead can cause it to make a loud vibrating noise while running. This is a common issue in households with a hard water supply.
After several years of usage, lime and mineral deposits may build up in the showerhead or shower pipe. This can also attract dirt and debris and form a clog that blocks the flow of water.
A loud vibrating noise may be heard in the showerhead or pipe as water can’t get easily through the holes.
Solutions
Removing clogs, sediment, and/or mineral deposits in the showerhead is not a difficult task. Simply turn off the water supply valve and turn the showerhead counterclockwise to unscrew it. You may need to slightly push some showerheads to remove them, just be careful to avoid damaging the showerhead.
Carefully inspect the showerhead for clogs in the opening and filter screen. Using a toothpick or any suitable object, remove any sediment or mineral deposits from the shower head.
Make a solution of white vinegar and pipe cleaner and submerge the showerhead in it. Make sure that the solution completely covers the showerhead. Leave the showerhead in the solution for several hours – overnight is better.
The white vinegar solution would remove the lime, mineral deposits, and any other clogs in the showerhead. Scrub the filter screen with a brush, rinse the showerhead, and replace it. Turn on the water supply valve and run the shower to test it.
If you can’t seem to remove the showerhead, there is an alternative method as long as you’re sure that the clogs are mineral deposits only. Mineral deposits will appear as a white crust on the showerhead.
Get a thick nylon bag big enough to fit over the showerhead and pour some white vinegar solution into it. Fit the bag over the showerhead, ensuring that the showerhead is completely immersed. Secure the bag with a rubber band or string and leave the bag on the showerhead for some hours.
Scrub the filter screen with a toothbrush and run the shower to wash off the loose mineral deposits. If the showerhead still produces a vibrating sound, the best solution is to replace the showerhead with a new one. Otherwise, consult an expert plumber to find out the actual cause of the loud vibrating noise.
Shower Making Loud Roaring Noise
If your shower is making a loud roaring noise, any of these two could be the possible reason:
1. Faulty Diverter Valve
The diverter valve switches the flow of water between the bathtub faucet and showerhead. Normally, when the diverter valve is opened, water flows into the bathtub when the faucet is opened. But when the valve is closed, water is forced to move upward into the showerhead.
One of the signs of a faulty diverter valve is a loud roaring noise when it’s closed for the shower to come up.
To ascertain if a faulty diverter valve is the cause, turn on the shower and listen if the roaring noise changes when you open the diverter valve.
If it does, then the diverter is faulty due to bad washers or sediments.
Solutions
The only solution to a faulty diverter valve is replacing it with a new one. If you aren’t a DIYer, you will need to consult a professional plumber to replace it for you.
But if you’ve got some plumbing skills, you should be able to replace a faulty diverter valve by following these steps:
- Turn off the main water supply valve.
- Seal off the bathtub drain to prevent small parts or screws from falling in.
- Look behind the faceplate of the diverter valve, you should see a screw. Tighten this screw to see if the noise stops.
- If not, loosen the threaded tub spout or the nut at the base and remove the diverter valve.
- Get a new diverter valve that rightly matches the old one.
- Install and tighten the new diverter valve.
- Turn on the main water supply and run the shower.
Listen carefully for any roaring noise. If this doesn’t solve the issue, visit a professional plumber.
2. Worn-out Shower Valve
Another possible reason why your shower will make a loud roaring noise is when the shower valve is worn-out.
Carefully examine the shower valve to see if it’s worn out or not. A worn-out shower valve will lose pressure and may give a roaring noise as the pressure escapes.
Sometimes, the problem is with the shower cartridge in the shower valve. It may get clogged or stuck. A clogged shower cartridge needs to be replaced with a new one to fix the issue.
Solutions
If the shower valve is worn out, it may need changing. But before changing it, take it apart to see if you can replace the worn-out parts. Also, check the cartridge if it’s worn out or damaged.
Change the cartridge and any other damaged part to see if that fixes the problem. Otherwise, get a new shower valve of the same type, install it, and adjust it appropriately.
Shower Making Buzzing Sound
Several factors can cause your shower to make a buzzing sound. Here are the main factors and how to fix them:
1. Leaky Shower Pipe
Leakages are a common plumbing issue in the bathroom. Leakages cause the water supply line to lose its pressure.
When the shower is turned on, water and/or air will try to escape through the leaks with high pressure and this can make a buzzing sound.
A leaky shower pipe can also cause a water hammer, which can make a vibrating noise when the shower is running.
Solutions
Fixing the leaky shower pipe is the only solution to the irritating buzzing sound. Carefully examine the shower pipe for the leak – this is the first step. If it’s a small leak, it’s what you can easily fix and you fix it immediately before it becomes large.
- Once you’ve located the leak, mark the area for easy identification.
- Turn off the main water supply and turn on the shower to drain any water in the shower.
- Clean the area and allow it to dry.
- Carefully remove any dirt or debris around the area.
- Seal the entire leak properly with a self-fusing silicone tape. If possible, wind the tape around the pipe on the leak. In place of silicone tape, you can apply a sealant over the leak.
Any of these should stop the leak as well as the loud buzzing sound. However, for a large leak, we don’t recommend a DIY solution.
You will need to call on a professional plumber to either fix the problem or replace the entire pipe.
2. Worn-out or Loose Washers
There are washers in the showerhead and other shower fixtures that help hold important parts securely and prevent leakages in the shower.
However, these washers can wear out over time and make a loud buzzing sound when water flows past them.
Sometimes, the washers can get out of place and make vibrating noise when the shower is running. You need to check and ensure that worn-out or loose washers are not the problem.
Solutions
Fixing worn-out or loose washers in a shower is not a big task, here’s what to do:
- Shut off the main water valve to the bathroom.
- Run the shower to remove any water in the shower line. Otherwise, you will spill water.
- Take apart the showerhead, shower valve, or shower handle, and check if the washers are worn-out or in the right position.
- Replace or reposition the affected washers as the case may be. Also, remove any dirt or mineral deposits that you may find in those parts.
After then, reassemble the shower parts, turn on the water supply, and run the shower to check. The irritating buzzing sound should stop by now.
To Conclude
There are several reasons why your shower might be making a loud humming noise. The two most common causes are leaky pipes and worn-out or loose washers.
If you’ve checked all things discussed above and fixed these issues but the noise persists, it may be time to call a professional plumber.