Random Banging With No Water Running

A residential water meter and shutoff valve behind an access panel

This hub covers banging or hammer sounds that seem to happen even when no water is running. It includes random bangs at night, seasonal or storm-related patterns, and noises that appear after city pressure work.

These events can be triggered by pressure changes, device cycling, or supply-side events outside the home. Recent installs (backflow, smart shutoff) or repiping can also make the system more sensitive.

Use the groups below to match the pattern you’ve noticed and open the closest article title. For broader air, noise, and vibration topics in piping, see the sub-category hub: Air, Noise & Vibration in Pipes

Random bangs with no fixtures on

Banging or hammer sounds that occur with no visible or obvious water use inside the house.

  • Pipes bang when no water is on

    Describes common causes for audible impacts in idle piping, including trapped air and pressure fluctuations, and how to narrow the source room or branch.

  • Noise with no fixtures running

    Focuses on intermittent noises that don’t track to fixture operation, with troubleshooting steps to isolate valves, devices, or supply events.

  • Random hammer sounds

    Explains the difference between classic water hammer and more random hammering that can result from pressure spikes or mechanical component cycling.

  • Banging with no apparent cause

    Offers a checklist for low-visibility causes—loose pipe straps, thermal movement, and intermittent supply-side events—to guide a methodical inspection.

Time, weather, and seasonal patterns

Noises that follow a daily schedule or seasonal conditions such as storms, freezing temperatures, or winter-only behavior.

  • Random banging at night

    Looks at reasons noises appear at night, including reduced ambient noise, automatic device schedules, and pressure regulator cycling after use lapses.

  • Noise after storms

    Discusses how sudden pressure shifts and debris in the supply line following storms can trigger banging or intermittent knocking sounds.

  • Random banging during cold weather

    Describes thermal contraction and ice-related restrictions that change flow and pressure, producing noises during cold snaps.

  • Random banging in winter only

    Focuses on winter-only patterns and suggests checking heat traces, insulation, and freeze-prone branches for movement and stress.

Supply-side or neighborhood triggers

Noises linked to municipal work, neighbor usage, or activity at the curb stop and main line.

  • Banging started after city pressure work

    Explains how changes in distribution pressure or transient events from utility work can expose latent system issues inside homes.

  • Noise when neighbors use water

    Details cross-home pressure interactions and how large draws nearby can cause surges or backflow-induced noise in connected branches.

  • Noise after curb stop work

    Looks at how curb stop manipulation and temporary depressurization can leave pockets of air or debris that later cause banging.

  • Banging only during pressure surges

    Targets transient surge events and pressure waves as the cause, with indicators for whether the issue is on the supply side or internal plumbing.

After installs, failures, or repiping

Noises that begin following component failures, new devices, or a repipe that changes system dynamics.

  • Banging after PRV failure

    Explains how a failing pressure reducing valve changes downstream pressure control and can introduce banging or shock events.

  • Banging with smart shutoff installed

    Discusses how automatic shutoff devices or smart valves can cycle or close in ways that create pressure transients and noise.

  • Random hammer after installing backflow

    Covers how backflow preventers and check valves can trap air or change flow patterns, leading to intermittent hammering after installation.

  • Random banging after repiping

    Notes that rerouting, new pipe sizing, or material changes can alter acoustic behavior and reveal new noise paths after a repipe.

After low use or idle equipment

Noises that appear after the system sits unused or when equipment like heaters is idle.

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