If you have a shower that is making loud roaring noises, it could be for one of various reasons namely high water pressure, an old shower head or pipe, clogs in the pipe and many other reasons. Without intervention, the loud humming sound from the shower will only get worse and even damage some parts in your bathroom.
The humming or roaring sound from your shower is caused by a restriction or clog in the plumbing due to too much pressure, faulty valves, clogs in the showerhead and piping, faulty or missing washers, a faulty cartridge and others. Place the showerhead in white vinegar overnight to clear the clog.
The loud humming sound in the shower can be from the showerhead or other fixture in the shower such as the valves, faucets and even the pipes. Check where the sound is coming from by turning off each fixture individually then listening to the sound.
Why does my shower make loud humming noises?
Some of the reasons why your shower has a loud hum include the following:
1. The showerhead is clogged with limescale
Limescale in the showerhead reduces the space available space in it which also increases the water pressure. The speed of the water rushing through the narrow showerhead will produce a hissing or humming sound. If you remove the showerhead and the humming noise stops, the showerhead is the culprit.
2. Loose shower filter
The shower filter may have been loosened and will not make a tight seal when you turn off your waterline, causing leaks which cause a humming noise.
3. Faulty or missing washer or O ring
The washer or O ring might be missing, worn out or poorly positioned leading to the shower whistles you hear each time you open the shower water. The noisy washer can be in the showerhead or other fixtures in the shower.
4. Faulty shower valves
The plumbing may need to be adjusted if you have recently installed new valves, this will often cause clogs which make for loud noises when they are happening because it takes longer for the pressure to build up enough force before flowing out again.
5. Too much water pressure
The water pressure might be too high making the water rush out too fast from the nozzles of the showerhead hence the shower head whistles or roaring sound you’re hearing. With the sound still on, turn off each valve to find the shower fixture causing the humming or roaring sound.
Sounds from the pipes or showerhead due to too much pressure is called water hammer. If your home has more than 80 psi of water pressure, it’s too much.
6. A faulty cartridge
There might be a problem with the cartridge which might be faulty or not positioned properly.
7. A faulty diverter
A faulty diverter valve may inhibit the natural flow of the water leading to high-pitched noises when you turn the shower on.
8. Showerhead flow restrictor
The flow regulator in the showerhead can also cause loud noises when the shower is turned on. It doesn’t mean the showerhead is faulty since this is the nature of some flow restrictors.
9. Toilet Ballcock
The toilet ballcock is responsible for adding water to the tank when you flush. When this device is not functioning properly, it might make a humming or whistling noise.
Toilet ballcocks are in two pieces, one that attaches to the toilet’s flapper valve (operating arm) and another part which screws onto this connection lid on top. The plunger can become stuck or its seal may leak air thus causing noise coming through your plumbing pipes.
If you believe your toilet is making humming noises, check for leaks by putting food coloring into your tank. If color seeps up into bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leaking shut off valve. If you turn off the supply to your toilet and the roaring sound stops, the source is the toilet’s ballcock.
10. Pipe Leakages
A humming sound in the pipes is often caused by a leak in the pipes with the water escaping at a high pressure through the opening on the pipe. If you can’t directly see the pipe causing the leakage, it might be hidden and might lead to damage on the building or other material.
11. Electrical wires or equipment
Mains hum refers to the buzzing or humming sound made by electrical wires or equipment. It can be caused by a transformer, fridge or other type of equipment. It can also occur when you use ana electrical water heater for your shower.
Mains hum can’t be stopped especially when in electronics such as frdiges.
12. Loose Pipes
Rattling sounds from behind the shower indicate loose pipes which move about when water goes through them.
How to fix roaring noise in the shower
Here is how you can stop the humming noise in the shower:
1. Unclog the showerhead
Soak the showerhead in white vinegar overnight then rinse it the next day to remove calcium buildup and other debris. You can also use a pipe cleaner to remove any hair or limescale. Replace the showerhead if it’s damaged inside or can’t be cleaned due to large minerals deposits.
Clean the pipes to remove clogs and sediments as well since the sediments make them narrower thus increasing the water pressure.
2. Tighten the showerhead filter
Remove the showrhead from the stem to access and tighten or replace the filter. If the whole showerhead is loose and needs a new one, replace it whether it’s a handheld showerhead or a fixed one.
3. Refit or replace a missing washer or O ring
Remove the shower handle to access the washer or O ring inside then either reposition it or, if it’s damaged, replace it.
4. Replace the shower valve
Replace the shower valve with a new one if it’s damaged and causes noises when in use. New valves may need adjusting if installed recently by using pliers. Make sure you replace the shower valve with the right one.
5. Regulate the water pressure
Slightly tighten the mains valve to reduce the water pressure getting into the home. Ensure the water pressure in your house is not more than 80 psi to avoid humming, buzzing or rattling sounds in the fixtures.
6. Replace the shower cartridge
Remove the shower handle to access and replace the shower cartridge. Ensure you get the right cartridge for your type of shower to avoid issues later on.
7. Replace the diverter
Turn off the water supply to the shower then unscrew the nut in the middle of the diverter then replace it with another one. There are diverters of different kinds each with its removal procedure although they all involve the unscrewing of a nut before their removal.
8. Remove or replace the flow restrictor
Unscrew the showerhead from the shower arm then remove the flow restrictor from the neck of the showerhead. Screw the showerhead back onto the shower stem. you should notice less noise from the shower when in use.
9. Replace the toilet ballcock
Shutoff the water to the toilet then flush the toilet followed by removing the ballcock retaining nut. Replace the ballcock then fasten the ballcock retaining nut. Turn on the water at the mains to test the new ballcock.
10. Seal leaks on the pipes
Find the leaking sections on the shower pipes then seal it with self-fusing silicon tape. Some leaks might be extensive enough to require replacement of a whole section of the pipe. Make sure you have stopped the water before you seal the leaks on your pipes.
11. Secure the pipes
Secure the pipes and valves with pipe clamps to prevent rattling and thumping.
12. Install a water hammer arrestor
Eliminate the water hammer sound by reducing the pressure of the water or soldering a water hammer arrestor onto the pipes. Water hammer arrestors have air chambers to absorb air pressure from the pipes thus eliminating the sudden hammering sounds.
13. Replace the toilet flapper
Remove the old flapper then replace it with a new one to stop the humming noise each time the toilet is getting filled. The hissing sound from your toilet flapper might make it sound like a kettle which is quite annoying.
With these solutions, you will stop the loud roaring or humming noises in your bathroom. If you can’t carry out some or all of these fixes, call for an expert to do it for you.