Our water pipes are noisy when water is running. This is true throughout our home, even with outdoor faucets. We notice it the most with our toilets, our washer, our outdoor faucet. The sound is a loud ticking or banging. This is an older home built in the 60s. Is this repairable or should we not be concerned?

Knocking, popping, creaking and crackling pipes are a common complaint, especially in colder weather. I can tell you what's happening and take the mystery out of it but you're not going to like the repair. When a draw is made on a hot water line the line expands against a pipe strap next to a stud and when you drain hot water from your tub or shower it goes into a chase that is a little cooler then room temperature. The heat expands the pipe causing it to rub against the stud to which it is pipe strapped. This is the sound you hear. As it cools it contracts and the noise is heard again. To repair it you must tear open the walls and locate the pipe strap that's causing the problem and shim it tight. Most people when they learn what causes it just elect to live with it. Good luck and thank you for rating my answer. Tom

It is NOT always a hot water issue; in fact our shower does not cause the ticking noise nor the dishwasher.

Put your ear on your water meter and have someone run some water. Does the tick come from the meter?