Quick Answer:
If you hear ticking in your walls after a sudden change in municipal water pressure, it’s usually the pipes settling, expanding or contracting against supports. Most of these sounds are harmless, but if the noise is moving through finished walls or getting louder, a plumber can inspect the runs and verify safe support points to ease your concern.
Why This Happens
Pipes respond to changes in pressure and temperature. A pressure spike or drop can shift how water sits in the pipe and how the pipe bears against brackets, framing and insulation. Temperature swings (for example, the pipe cooling after hot water use) cause metal and plastic pipes to contract and make short, sharp ticks.
Insulation, new framing, or altered attic spaces change how and where pipes contact building materials. That can turn quiet rubbing into a distinct ticking sound. See Ticking noise after insulation install for more about insulation-related cases. Thermal cycling from hot water use often makes repeating ticks; this is why Pipes tick when hot water runs.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1. Isolate where the sound is coming from
- Stand in the room where you hear the ticking and try to locate the wall, ceiling, or floor area that sounds loudest.
- Press lightly on the nearby wall or ceiling while someone runs water or when the ticking happens to feel for any movement or vibration.
2. Reproduce the condition safely
- Run hot water in a sink or tub for a minute, then stop and listen for cooling ticks. Note whether the ticks start as the pipe cools.
- Also check after running cold water if the timing changes.
3. Note the sound character
- Listen closely and record whether the sound fades gradually after the event (suggests thermal contraction) or stays sharp and continuous (may indicate rubbing or a loose strap).
- Write down when it happens: immediately after water use, during pressure changes from the utility, or randomly.
4. Inspect accessible piping and supports
- Look in exposed areas (crawlspace, basement, utility room) for loose pipe straps, obvious rubbing points, or signs of movement.
- Do not cut into ceilings or walls to chase a sound. If the piping is behind finished surfaces, let a professional trace the pipe path first.
What Not to Do
- Don’t wedge rigid shims into place or jam anything between pipe and framing in finished cavities; that can make stresses worse or damage the pipe.
- Don’t spray foam blindly into wall or ceiling cavities to stop noise—foam can trap pipes against framing or obscure leaks.
- If ticking is near electrical runs or finished ceilings, have a plumber trace the pipe path before opening surfaces or attempting fixes.
When to Call a Professional
- Contact a plumber if the ticking persists, gets louder, or is accompanied by banging, leaks, dripping, or visible movement of pipes.
- Call a pro to trace pipes when the noise comes through finished walls or ceilings so they can verify safe support points and recommend noninvasive fixes.
- Also call if the sounds occur after a noticeable pressure surge from the utility or if you suspect the pressure regulator or check valve is failing.
Safety Notes
- Avoid working near electrical wiring. If you need to press on a wall or ceiling, be careful around switches and outlets.
- Do not open ceilings or walls without confirming where pipes and conduits run; cutting blindly can hit plumbing or live electrical lines.
- If you find a leak, turn off the water at the nearest shutoff or the main and call a plumber.
Common Homeowner Questions
- Why did this start after the utility changed pressure? Pressure changes shift how pipe systems settle and how water pushes against fittings, which can start or reveal ticking where pipes contact structures.
- Is ticking a sign of an imminent leak? Usually no—ticking alone is often noise from expansion or rubbing. If you see moisture, corrosion, or continuous movement, get it checked quickly.
- Can I silence it myself? Minor ticks from visible loose straps can sometimes be eased by tightening supports, but avoid working inside finished walls—call a plumber to trace and secure hidden piping.
For more related articles, see the Ticking or Clicking Sounds During Water Use hub.