plumbingshowersink
My upstairs shower is causing a high-pitched whistling sound when it's running and there is a showerhead attached. If I remove the showerhead, but keep the water flowing, the whistling noise stops. It might have something to do with the faucet handles, but I'm not sure. This has happened with different types of showerheads. Also, when the shower is running and I turn the sink on and off (which is next to the shower), the whistling noise will change pitch.
Any ideas?
It's probably just the pipes expanding and contracting under temperature changes. They can bind on an anchorage, then suddenly break loose. The floor and pipes do reverberate, amplifying the sound. The tension release and sudden movement can be very small, yet the resulting sound rather startling.
If you can identify where the pipe is hanging up, you can replace the anchor with one that has a plastic liner that is resistant to binding. Or simply loosen the anchor or remove it, wrap the pipe with cloth tape, then reinstall the anchor.
It can be difficult to locate all the pops and creaks, they seem to come from nowhere sometimes. You should at least be able to quiet the worst offenders.
My tub spout would make an awful squeal when the shower stopper was pulled up (air in the line trying to escape the poorly seating valve). It would change pitch and stop sometimes if I jiggled the lever right. Find the offending unit and ask to replace their tub spout. Tell them why and they will almost certainly agree to it. A change in pressure may get it to stop momentarily. Take a shot in the dark and cycle your faucet valves on and off to attempt re-seating the seal of your neighbors' tub spout stopper valve, when you hear it howling. Or be proactive, finding out whose it is and whose job it is to fix it.
Best Answer
Water pressure:
This could be caused by higher than normal water pressure, that's why the noise changes when you turn on the sink (you reduce the flow to the shower).
Solution:
You could adjust the Pressure Reducing Valve for the whole house (if you have one), or install one on the line to the shower.
Reducing Washer:
In most newer shower heads, there is a washer that reduces the water flow to save water.
Solution:
Removing this washer and replacing it with a normal one should fix the problem (but then you'll be "wasting" water).
Diverter:
This might also be caused by the diverter (the mechanism that diverts the water to the shower head, rather than the tub spout), if the valve is not functioning properly it could cause noise as the water passes through it. This may be accompanied by a small amount of water still flowing from the tub spout when the shower is on (basically it could be creating a "water whistle", similar to how a flute works but with water instead of air).
Solution:
Replace the diverter.
Loose Pipes:
The noise could be increased by improperly secured plumbing, as the pipes are allowed to resonate freely.
Solution:
Properly fastening the pipes using clamps, may reduce the sound.