You step into your home shower after a long day at work, and instead of the expected relaxing jet of warm water, you hear a screeching or squealing sound. If you’ve found this post after searching online for “Why is my shower whistling?” don’t be alarmed.
Our Victoria plumbers can help you get to the bottom of your issue and ensure your shower performs flawlessly once again. Let’s explore a few reasons why your system might make odd sounds.
1. A Worn Shower Valve
One of the primary reasons you might hear a screeching or whistling sound from your shower is that the shower valve is worn. The shower valve is the piece that controls the flow of water as well as the levels of hot and cold water entering the system. When the valve wears down, you’ll notice a high-pitch whistling sound. You might also see your shower head leaks, and the valve no longer retains a tight seal. Even a relatively small leak is problematic because the latest data from Harvard research shows the standard shower head releases 2.5 gallons of water per minute. If the shower head leaks, you’ll waste significantly more water, and your water bill will multiply.
If you have a failing shower valve, call a plumber to take on the replacement work. Plumbers will need access to the wall behind the shower and will replace the valve and any connected components.
Further signs the shower valve is your whistling culprit include:
- Low water pressure
When rust and corrosion cause the valve to fail, you’ll notice low water pressure
- Rigid hot and cold controls
A failing valve will make controlling hot and cold water flow difficult. If you’re not getting the right temperature and can’t move the shower handle properly, the culprit is likely a faulty valve.
- Inconsistent temperatures
Alongside the whistling sound, inconsistent water temperatures while showering are a clear sign of a valve problem. It could be related to the cartridge inside the valve.
2. A Blocked Shower Cartridge
The shower cartridge is the piece within the valve that controls the flow of hot and cold water from the faucet. The cartridge connects directly to the faucet handle. When the handle turns, the cartridge slides forward to allow hot or cold water to flow.
When debris blocks the shower cartridge, the water flow will make a high-pitch sound as it tries to enter the cartridge and hits the interior material.
3. A Clogged Shower Head
A clogged shower head is often due to minerals in the water building up and blocking the small nozzles. It could be limescale that has built up inside the shower head, forcing the water into narrower channels as it tries to pass through.
You may be able to swap out the shower head to stop the whistling sound. Our recent blog post explains why you might consider a low-flow showerhead as a replacement to reduce your overall consumption.
4. A Damaged Diverter Valve
The diverter valve is the component that switches the water between the faucet and the shower head. If you pull the diverter valve and notice the sound change in pitch or volume, it’s the likely cause of the problem. Only a skilled and experienced plumber should replace the diverter valve, as any installation mistake could damage your bathroom plumbing.
Thunderbird Plumbing: Your Emergency Victoria Plumbers for All Shower Repairs
From whistling showers to issues with intermittent water flow, our Victoria plumbers can diagnose and repair your system quickly to help restore the flawless function of your equipment. We offer decades of experience in shower equipment repair and installation and can respond at a moment’s notice to your service request.
Ready to speak with a shower repair specialist? Call our team now to book your service.