Tag: Plumbing maintenance

Plumbing services in Lake Havasu City, AZ

Why Are Your Water Pipes Making Noise? 6 Causes Explained

Written by Amanda Zink on June 12, 2026. Posted in Plumbing.

Hearing strange sounds from your plumbing can be frustrating and concerning. If you notice your pipes making noise, it often signals an underlying issue that needs attention. From banging and rattling to hissing and gurgling, different plumbing noises in pipes can point to specific problems within your system.

Understanding what these sounds mean helps you identify issues early and prevent costly damage.

Common Types of Plumbing Noises in Pipes

Different sounds often indicate different problems. Paying attention to when and where the noise occurs can help narrow down the cause.

Banging or hammering: Often caused by sudden changes in water flow
Rattling or vibrating: Usually linked to loose pipes
Hissing or whistling: Can indicate high water pressure
Gurgling sounds: Often caused by trapped air or drainage issues

Recognizing these plumbing noises is the first step toward fixing the problem.

Water Hammer and Banging Pipes

One of the most common causes of pipe noise is water hammer. This happens when water flow suddenly stops, creating a shockwave inside the pipes. The result is a loud banging or knocking sound.

Water hammer can occur when:

Faucets or valves close quickly
Appliances like dishwashers or washing machines shut off water flow
Pipes lack proper cushioning or support

To fix this issue, plumbers may install water hammer arrestors, adjust water pressure, or secure pipes to reduce movement.

Loose Pipes and Vibrations

If your pipes rattle or shake when water flows, they may not be properly secured. Loose pipes can move against walls, floors, or other surfaces, creating noticeable noise.

This type of plumbing noise can worsen over time and lead to wear or damage. Securing pipes with proper brackets or cushioning helps stabilize the system and reduce vibrations.

High Water Pressure Problems

High water pressure may seem beneficial, but it can cause serious issues. Excess pressure places strain on your plumbing system and often leads to noise, especially hissing or vibrating sounds.

Signs of high water pressure include:

Loud noises when turning on faucets
Frequent leaks or worn fixtures
Sudden bursts of water flow

Installing a pressure-reducing valve helps maintain safe pressure levels and protects your plumbing system.

Air Trapped in Pipes

Air pockets inside your plumbing system can create gurgling or bubbling sounds. These noises often occur when water flow becomes uneven due to trapped air.

Air can enter the system during repairs, leaks, or improper venting. A plumber can release trapped air and ensure your system is properly vented to restore smooth water flow.

Blockages and Drain Issues

Partial blockages can also cause unusual sounds. When debris builds up in pipes, water flow becomes restricted, which may lead to gurgling or slow drainage.

Common causes of blockages include:

Grease buildup
Hair and debris
Non-flushable items

Addressing clogs early helps prevent larger plumbing issues and keeps your system running quietly.

How to Prevent Plumbing Noises

Regular maintenance plays a key role in preventing pipes from making noise. Taking a few simple steps can help keep your system in good condition.

Check for loose or exposed pipes
Monitor water pressure levels
Avoid flushing or draining inappropriate materials
Insulate pipes in colder areas
Schedule routine plumbing inspections

These steps help reduce noise and extend the life of your plumbing system.

When to Call a Professional

Some plumbing issues require expert attention. If you continue to hear loud or persistent noises, it is best to contact a professional.

A licensed plumber can:

Identify the exact cause of the noise
Recommend the right repair solution
Prevent further damage to your system

Addressing problems early helps avoid costly repairs and keeps your plumbing system functioning properly.

Keep Your Plumbing System Running Smoothly

If your pipes are making noise, do not ignore the warning signs. Understanding the cause of these sounds allows you to take action before small issues turn into major repairs.

With proper maintenance and timely repairs, you can reduce plumbing noises and keep your home running efficiently.

How to Protect Your Home’s Plumbing During Monsoon Season

Written by Amanda Zink on November 15, 2025. Posted in Plumbing.

Arizona monsoons can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing. However, as a homeowner, you have numerous strategies to protect it. Learn how the monsoon season in Kingman, AZ, affects your home’s plumbing system and the measures to take to safeguard it.

Sewer Line Backups

The heavy rains that fall during the monsoon season can quickly overwhelm the municipal sewer system in Kingman. Instead of flowing away from your home, sewage could back up into fixtures, like your toilet and sinks.

Lower the risk of sewer backups by installing a backwater valve in your plumbing system. This valve will automatically close if sewage tries to back up into your home. Additionally, during a monsoon, avoid flushing until the storm has passed.

Waterlogged Septic System

The excessive rainfall during a monsoon can quickly saturate and overwhelm the drainfield for your home’s septic system. A saturated drainfield is more prone to backups. It can also lead to foul odors inside your home and yard.

Limiting the amount of water you use during monsoons helps mitigate this problem. Moreover, divert runoff stormwater from the drainfield to prevent a waterlogged septic system.

Soil Shifting Around Pipes

When the soil on your property becomes saturated, it can shift, putting stress on the underground pipes. This pipework is then at a higher risk of cracking and leaking.

To avoid this problem, schedule a plumbing inspection with Air Control Home Services before the monsoon season begins. We will check the pipes for vulnerable sections and repair or replace those that could crack or leak due to soil shifting.

Outdoor Drain Clogs

Remember to safeguard the outdoor drains on your property. Debris from heavy rainstorms can clog your patio and yard drains, and clogged drains can lead to water pooling near your home’s foundation.

Clear the drains and gutters on your roof regularly. You may also find it useful to install drain guards to keep out debris such as leaves, twigs, and plastic bags that can clog drains.

Fungal Growth

Water leaks in damaged pipes can create ideal conditions in your home or yard for fungi to grow. Fungal growth leads to poor indoor air quality, weakened structural integrity, and can trigger respiratory symptoms in people with asthma and allergies.

Use moisture sensors to safeguard your home and plumbing system from this problem. Likewise, regularly inspect behind appliances and under sinks.

Pipe Corrosion

Along with cracked pipes, the monsoons in this part of Arizona can also put the pipes in your home and on your property at risk of corroding. High humidity in the atmosphere speeds up pipe corrosion, especially if you have galvanized pipework.

The best way to protect all of your pipes is to use dehumidifiers in key areas, such as the crawlspace, basement, and utility room. You can also repipe your home and upgrade to pipes made out of copper or PEX, which hold up better in high humidity and heavy rains.

Water Supply Contamination

Floodwaters from heavy rains can introduce contaminants, such as fungi and bacteria, into damaged pipes and private wells. If your home relies on well water, its water supply could quickly become unsafe to use.

Minimize the risk of supply contamination by installing a backflow preventer. This device maintains a one-way flow of water and prevents dirty water and contaminants from entering your well. The city of Kingman also requires certain plumbing systems, such as those with private wells, to have backflow preventers in them.

Sump Pump Overload

During and after precipitation, your home’s sump pump may struggle to keep up with demand. Heavy use will slow it down or prevent it from pumping out all the water in your basement or crawlspace.

Before the monsoon season arrives, test the sump pump at least once a month. Install a battery backup system for it to keep it running during power outages. Replace your sump pump every 7-10 years to reduce the risk of overload.

Tree Root Intrusion

Saturated soil from heavy rains encourages tree root growth. Those roots, however, can grow into your property’s sewer lines. Signs of root intrusion include:

Slow-draining sinks, tubs, and toilets
Frequent plumbing backups
Gurgling sounds
Sewage odors

The best way to protect your plumbing from this issue is to have it inspected annually. You can also use root barrier installations to prevent roots from entering sewer lines.

Higher Than Normal Water Pressure

Storm runoff can lead to sudden spikes in water pressure. This higher water pressure can then strain the pipes in your plumbing system and plumbing fixtures.

The solution to this risk is to install a pressure-reducing valve, or PRV. This valve has a spring-loaded diaphragm or piston that regulates water pressure, improves efficiency, and prevents pipe damage. It responds automatically to pressure changes, ensuring stable output.

Leaky Outdoor Faucet and Hose Bib

The heavy rains and winds of a monsoon can cause significant damage to exposed plumbing fixtures, such as your outdoor faucet and hose bib. Prolonged rainfall could seep into the wall around the hose bib, damaging it if the bib’s sealant is cracked or missing. If you leave the hose attached during a storm, high winds can pull on it, stressing the pipe threads and the valve.

Using an insulated cover helps protect the hose bib and outdoor faucet from damage. Check them for leaks after every storm. Hire one of our plumbers to repair or replace them as needed.

Foundation Cracks

Stormwater that pools around your home poses a serious hazard to the foundation. If it seeps into the foundation, it could cause damage such as cracks and shifting.

Protect the foundation by grading soil and other landscaping away from the house. Likewise, you can install French drains, which direct water away from the foundation.

Water Heater Stress

Despite being inside your home, the water heater can still sustain damage during a monsoon. For example, a power surge can disrupt its normal function and damage its wiring. Even more, pressure changes during a storm can stir up sediment in the tank, leading to problems such as reduced energy efficiency, decreased hot water supply, noisy operation, and a shortened lifespan.

Help your water heater withstand a monsoon better by using a surge protector. Additionally, hire us to flush it out at least once a year to remove sediment in its tank.

Air Admittance Valve Failure

Sudden pressure changes during a storm can cause the AAV, or Air Admittance Valve, to fail. This valve is used for venting in key areas, such as a kitchen island or under a sink.

Before the monsoon season starts, test the AAV and replace it if it shows signs of damage or wear. You can also replace it with a higher-quality one that has a rating for pressure fluctuations.

Reliable Plumbing Services in Kingman

At Air Control Home Services, we have nine years of experience providing effective plumbing services for homeowners in the Kingman area. Our family-owned, second-generation business has an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. We are a Trane Comfort Specialist and a Ductless Elite Pro. In addition to helping you protect your home’s plumbing system, our business also installs and services other plumbing fixtures, such as water heaters and water softeners.

Contact Air Control Home Services for reliable plumbing services today.

Plumbing Service in Lake Havasu City, AZ

Smart Ways to Slash Your Arizona Water Bill

Written by Amanda Zink on November 11, 2024. Posted in Plumbing.

Saving water also helps you save money in your Arizona home. Simple changes can result in significant savings whether you want to reduce household expenses or contribute to conservation efforts. Learn more about some basic changes that you can make that will help you slash your water bill.

Indoor Water-Saving Tips

While outdoor water usage often represents a large portion of the average Arizona household’s consumption, there are still plenty of ways to reduce water use indoors.

Installing water-efficient fixtures is one of the best ways to reduce your home’s water usage. Look for WaterSense-labeled faucets, showerheads, and toilets. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program certifies appliances that use at least 20% less water than standard models. Simply by choosing a low-flow showerhead model, you can save as much as 2.5 gallons of water each minute!

Toilets consume nearly 30% of indoor water in homes. Replacing an older toilet with a WaterSense model can save approximately 13,000 gallons of water per year. If replacing your toilet isn’t an option, consider installing a dual-flush conversion kit, which gives you control over the amount of water used as you flush. Kitchen and bathroom faucets can use up to 2.2 gallons of water per minute. Switching to a WaterSense faucet or adding an aerator to your current one can cut water usage by 30% or more.

Leaky faucets, toilets, and pipes are common culprits of high water bills. Regularly check all fixtures for leaks and fix them immediately. Even small leaks can add up over time. Toilets often have silent leaks, which can be tricky to detect. You can test for a leak by adding a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. If the color seeps into the bowl without flushing, you have a leak.

Showering accounts for a significant portion of indoor water use. While installing a low-flow showerhead helps, shortening your showers can also make a big impact. Reducing your shower time by just a few minutes can save thousands of gallons of water each year. Invest in a simple shower timer to remind everyone in your household to limit their time in the shower. Even cutting back by a minute or two can result in noticeable savings.

When it comes to appliances, your washing machine and dishwasher are two of the biggest water users. Newer models are much more water-efficient than older ones. Suppose it’s time to replace your washing machine. Choose a high-efficiency model. These machines use significantly less water per load than older top-loading machines, sometimes as much as 50% less. Regardless of the type of washing machine or dishwasher you have, make sure to run full loads whenever possible. Running your appliances less frequently will reduce your overall water usage.

Outdoor Water-Saving Tips

Arizona’s hot, dry climate makes outdoor water conservation especially important. Smart landscaping choices, efficient irrigation, and mindful pool maintenance can help you save as well.

Traditional lawns require a lot of water, especially in Arizona’s hot climate. Xeriscaping is a landscaping technique that uses drought-resistant plants and minimizes the need for irrigation. By opting for xeriscaping, you can drastically reduce your outdoor water use while still enjoying a beautiful yard. Choose native Arizona plants like agave, cactus, mesquite trees, and desert marigolds. These plants thrive in dry conditions and require minimal watering. You can also replace grass with gravel, mulch, or decorative rocks.

For homeowners with gardens or lawns, learning how to conserve water while watering is important. Overwatering is a common problem in Arizona, where evaporation rates are high. To reduce evaporation, water your foliage in the morning or evening. Midday watering wastes water as it quickly evaporates in the heat.

If you have a pool, it’s also important to consider reducing water loss there and evaporation is the key to cutting back on pool-related water expenses. One of the simplest ways to reduce water loss is by using a pool cover. Covering your pool when it’s not in use reduces evaporation by up to 95%, helping you save thousands of gallons of water each year. Regularly check your pool’s water levels and adjust them as needed. Overfilling the pool can lead to unnecessary water loss through splashing and overflow.

Mindful Water Habits

Along with updating your home’s fixtures and landscaping to use less water, being more aware of how much you use can make a big difference in lowering your water bill.

Water conservation is a team effort. Teach your kids and other family members why it’s important to save water and encourage them to start doing things that will help them do that. If everyone in the house does simple things like turning off the water while you brush your teeth or taking shorter showers, it can make a big difference.

Though Arizona is known for its dry climate, the state still experiences seasonal rain. Collecting rainfall can help you limit your reliance on municipal water supplies for tasks such as watering plants and gardens. Rain barrels are an inexpensive and easy way to harvest rainwater for later use. Install rain barrels beneath your home’s downspouts to collect and store water during rainstorms.

Washing your car at home can use up to 100 gallons of water, especially if you leave the hose running. Instead, consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water, or wash your car less frequently to save water. If you do wash your car at home, use a spray nozzle with an automatic shut-off feature to minimize water waste. This ensures water is only used when necessary.

How A Professional Plumbing Company Can Help

A professional plumbing company can help Arizona residents save money on their water bills by providing expert assessments and repairs. Licensed plumbers are trained to detect leaks and inefficiencies in your plumbing system that would go unnoticed by the average homeowner. For example, they can perform thorough inspections to detect hidden leaks behind walls or beneath floors, which can result in significant water loss over time. By promptly repairing these leaks, homeowners can avoid high water bills and extensive property damage. Plumbing professionals can also recommend water-saving fixtures and appliances that follow local regulations, ensuring that you make decisions that maximize water efficiency and reduce waste.

Additionally, a professional plumbing company can help with regular maintenance, which is essential to protect your plumbing system and avoid costly emergencies. By scheduling routine inspections and maintenance, plumbers can detect minor issues before they become major problems that necessitate costly repairs. Routine drain cleaning, for example, can help to prevent clogs and backups that would otherwise result in emergency calls and increased water usage. Furthermore, many plumbing companies provide maintenance plans that include regular check-ups at a discounted rate, which helps to reduce your long-term costs.

Contact Us Today

Ready to save money with your water bill? Contact Air Control Home Services today and we can help you make changes to your plumbing system and home technology in order to save dollars and conserve water. We also can help you with air conditioning, heating, indoor air quality, water heater, pipe repair, lighting, EV charger, and whole home wiring needs.

How Does In-House Plumbing Work?

Written by Amanda Zink on September 12, 2024. Posted in Plumbing.

Your plumbing system probably isn’t something you ever give that much thought to until an issue like a clog or leak arises. Indoor plumbing consists of different components located throughout various parts of the house. In this article, we’ll provide a detailed look at a plumbing system and the role each component plays.

Parts of a Plumbing System

All plumbing systems consist of two sides or subsystems. The first is the supply side, where clean water flows into your house and fixtures. The other is the discharge or drain/sewer side, which collects all of the wastewater and sewage and ensures it flows out of the house and into the municipal sewer system. All of your plumbing fixtures like your sinks, toilets and showers are essentially a bridge that connects the supply side to the drain side.

Understanding Your Supply Side Plumbing

The first part of the supply side is the main water line that connects the house to the municipal water system. This is typically either a 3/4- or 1-inch pipe buried far enough underground that it probably won’t freeze. Exactly how far the pipe is underground depends on where the frost line is in your location. The frost line in Arizona is only around 10-12 inches, but most water lines are still buried at least 2.5 feet below ground level just to be safe.

The main water line enters a house through the foundation. The water meter may be located where the line comes in. It may also be located at the street. The home’s main water shut-off valve is also typically located right where the main service line enters the house. There is also a second shut-off valve near where the home’s main service line connects to the municipal water main. This valve allows the water department to shut off the water to the home whenever needed, such as when doing work on the water system in the nearby area or if the underground service line to the home starts leaking.

Many homes then have a pressure-regulating valve next to the water meter just before your system connects to the main line. This valve is usually needed because the pressure in most municipal water systems is higher than an indoor plumbing system can handle.

You generally want your water pressure to be around 40 to 50 psi, and no higher than 60 psi. The water flowing from a municipal water main to a home is typically at least 80 psi and can be above 140 psi. The regulating valve works to slow down the flow of the water coming into a house to prevent the pressure from being so high that it could damage plumbing fixtures or cause pipes to develop a leak. The way that it works is that the valve has an internal diaphragm that can respond to changes in the pressure of the water coming into the house by expanding and contracting. This ensures that the water pressure remains constant.

Once the water line enters the house, it then connects to various supply lines that branch off to the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, water heater and anywhere else you have plumbing fixtures. All of these pipes are your cold water supply lines, and you also have a series of hot water supply lines that branch off the outlet pipe on the water heater and lead to every fixture that has hot water. Except for your toilets and outdoor hose bibs, almost all of your plumbing fixtures have both a cold and hot water supply pipe. Hose bibs just have a single cold supply line, which connects to the hose bib stem at least a few inches inside the house. The stem sticks out of the foundation and connects to the hose valve and connection.

All of the main hot and cold supply lines are typically 3/4-inch copper or sometimes plastic PEX piping. The lines that supply your faucets and toilets stick a short way out through a wall near each fixture and have a shut-off valve at the end for when you need to work on the fixture. You then have a short piece of flexible 3/8- or 1/2-inch water line that screws onto the main supply line at one end and the faucet or toilet at the other.

An Overview of Your Home’s Drain Side Plumbing

The primary part of a home’s drain-side plumbing is the vertical plumbing stack, which consists of three separate parts. The uppermost section is the vent stack, which extends up through a wall into the attic and then sticks out at least two feet above the roof. The purpose of this vent is to allow air to get drawn into your drain system, which naturally happens every time you flush a toilet or run any water. Without the vent, your plumbing wouldn’t work properly. If air can’t get drawn in when using your plumbing, the water can form a vacuum that prevents it from draining away as it should.

The middle section is the drain stack. Each of the drainpipes leading from sinks, toilets, showers, etc. run down at an angle from the fixture and eventually connect to the vertical drain stack. In between each of the drainpipes and each shower, bathtub and sink is a short piece of pipe known as a P-trap. The bend in the trap is always full of water, and the water creates a barrier so that sewer gases get trapped and can’t rise out of the drain. Plumbing code requires all showers, sinks and bathtubs to have a P-trap. This is because sewer gas contains hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which are toxic at high concentrations.

The lower section is the sewer stack, which sticks down through the foundation and connects to the underground sewer line. If your home was built in the past few decades, your sewer line is likely PVC or some other plastic pipe. This is also true for all other drain pipes inside your house. Older houses that still have the original plumbing may instead have cast iron pipes or sometimes even a clay sewer line.

If your sewer line is plastic, you most likely have one or two sewer cleanouts in your yard that connect to the sewer line underground. The purpose of a cleanout is to allow a plumber to easily access the sewer line when it needs to be cleaned, unclogged or inspected. If you don’t have a cleanout, it’s much more difficult to access the sewer line. In most cases, the only option is to either remove a toilet or go on the roof and access it through the vent and plumbing stack.

Are you searching for an honest, reliable and experienced plumbing, electrical or HVAC company in the Lake Havasu area? Air Control Home Services is a local, family-owned company that has been serving the area since 1990. We specialize in the full range of home services, including expert plumbing services, and our team will work to ensure all of your needs are expertly met. To request an appointment for any installation, repair or maintenance service for the plumbing in your home, whether for a water heater or your kitchen and bathroom plumbing, contact us today.