Why Is My Shower Making A Loud Vibrating Noise? Possible Reasons And Solutions 

Is your shower generating a loud vibrating noise that’s making you so uncomfortable? If yes, you’re not alone. 

But that doesn’t mean you should ignore the problem. Find the cause and fix it. Otherwise, the noise could increase, or the damage could extend to other parts of the shower.   

Several factors can cause a shower to make loud vibrating noise. Here, we’ll discuss the various causes, including how you can fix the problem. Read on!

Why is my shower making a loud vibrating noise?   

Loud roaring or humming sounds can emerge from the pipes, valves, or faucets. And below are the possible reasons your shower is producing loud vibrating noise, especially when turned on.

• Faulty cartridge
• Faulty valve
• clogged showerhead
• Water pressure issues
• Leakage in the pipe
• Worn-out washers in the shower valve
• Thermal expansion in a certain part of the showerhead

So, any of these factors could be responsible for the loud vibrating noise your shower is making. 

Now, how can you fix the problem? How can you identify the major cause of the noise your shower is making? 

Start troubleshooting from somewhere. Turn the shower on and start turning each fixture off one by one while listening for a possible change in the vibrating noise. 

If the noise disappears when you turn off a specific fixture, you don’t need anyone to tell you that’s where the fault lies. 

Keep reading as we discuss factors responsible for loud vibrating noise from the shower and possible solutions. 

Why Your Shower Is Making Loud Vibrating Noises And How To Fix The Problem

We all want our bathing area to be as quiet as possible. Only the splash of water on the ground and tiny sound produced as we scrub our bodies are considered normal.

Bathing with a shower that produces loud humming noises can be frustrating. But you can fix this problem and return things to normal. Just identify the culprit and make some adjustments. 

Now, here’s why your shower has been producing loud noises and how you can make the problem stop. 

#1: Worn-out washer in the shower: 

The washer in your shower could be why it makes such uncomfortable and loud noises. It may have worn out. 

What happens when the washer in a shower wears out? It would become super thin. Thus, it may start vibrating when water starts flowing past it causing loud humming noises. 

This noise continues whenever the shower is on. But keep in mind that the faulty washer could be in the showerhead or other fixtures. 

There’s also a possibility that the washer in the showerhead or other fixtures responsible for the loud humming noises hasn’t worn out yet. It might have moved out of position or not positioned properly when the shower was dismantled and reassembled while fixing other problems. 

How do you fix a faulty washer in a shower? Here’s what you have to do. 

• Turn off the water supply to the bathroom. Otherwise, you won’t be able to fit the washer in the right position.
• Remove the shower handle, showerhead, or other fixtures you believe have a faulty washer. 
• Reposition or change the washer. Firstly, examine if the washer has worn out. If it has, then you should replace it. But if it hasn’t, reposition it and reassemble the shower parts. 

#2: Clogged showerhead:

Do you reside in an area that boasts hard water? Then that could be the culprit. What’s hard water? Water is called “hard” when it boasts plenty of dissolved solids, such as magnesium and calcium. 

The minerals in hard water build up in the showerhead as water passes through it from time to time. Over time, they may form crusty bits that end up clogging the showerhead. 

Limescale buildup is the easiest way to describe the action of hard water in the shower. And when it happens, it would prevent water from gushing out in a full blast. 

However, the limescale cannot completely prevent water from flowing out of the showerhead. It would only reduce the space available for the water to pass. And expect your narrow showerhead to generate a loud humming or hissing sound as water gushes out. 

How can you fix this problem?

The first step is to take off the showerhead. Let the water come out of the shower pipe naturally. If the noise disappears, you already know the culprit. 

What you have to do to rid the showerhead of limescale buildup is simple. And please note that there are diverse ways to address this problem. 

First Fix#: The first method we’re going to discuss is to eliminate limescale buildup by soaking your shower head in white vinegar. Please leave it in the vinegar solution overnight and rinse the next day. 

Another way to get rid of limescale buildup in a shower head is to use a pipe cleaner. Using this method, you can also get rid of hair stuck in the showerhead too. 

A Handy Tip: Vinegar is an acidic cleaner and, therefore, would damage brass, chrome, and nickel finish. So, dilute your vinegar cleaner with at least 50 percent water to lessen your shower head finish damage. 

The more you dilute the showerhead, the lesser its effect on your showerhead finish.   

Second Fix#: You can replace the old showerhead with a new one. 

#3: Water pressure:

Sometimes, loud humming noises from a shower might not be because of a faulty showerhead or other fixtures. It could be because of the high pressure of the water passing through the shower. 

How can you fix this problem?

You have to get the mains valve tightened. Water pressure in your household plumbing should be 30 to 80 psi. 

#4: Getting rid of water hammer:

The loud banging sound caused by a water hammer can be why your shower is making loud noises. But how can you eliminate water hammers? 

You can get this done in several ways. The first method is to turn the water pressure down. Just find the pressure regulator by following the pipes leading to the water heater.

Another method to try if the noise doesn’t stop after turning down the water pressure is this. Find a water hammer arrestor that boasts an air chamber and solder it to the cold and hot water pipes. 

#5: Seal leaky pipes:

A leak in the pipe would cause water to gush out with high pressure and cause loud noise. So, examine your lines for leakages. 

How should you seal leaking pipes? You can use self-fusing silicone tape. Just stretch the self-amalgamating tape around the pipe. And ensure it covers the entire leakage on the pipe. 

Is this self-fusing silicone tape waterproof? Yes, it is. And what’s more, this tape can seal the leakage for many years. 

However, don’t rule out the possibility of replacing the entire pipe. You may have to if the leakage is that extensive. 

#6: Shower valve replacement:

Examine the shower valve to see if it is still in good shape. If it needs changing, then obtain a new one. But don’t forget to purchase the right valve, as ball valves aren’t the same. And adjust the valve appropriately after installing it. 

Conclusion

Why is my shower making a loud vibrating noise? It could be a faulty cartridge, faulty valve, worn-out washer, clogged showerhead, water pressure, and others. 

But don’t panic and start looking for a physician to trace and fix the problem. The cause of your shower’s loud noise could be something you can fix. 

So, try to trace where the noise is coming from and fix the problem. If the washer or valve needs changing, change the parts to solve the problem. If you’re dealing with a clogged showerhead, unclogging it can put an end to your shower’s loud noises.