I've actually tried both methods myself, and while loosening the brackets did reduce some noise, I still felt like the rubber inserts made a noticeable difference—at least in my case. But I'm also pretty cautious when it comes to anything plumbing-related. I've heard stories from neighbors who've had pipes shift or rub against something sharp over time, eventually causing leaks or even bursts. So for me, spending a bit extra on those rubber inserts was more about peace of mind and avoiding potential headaches down the road.
That said, I can totally see how it might not seem worth it if your pipes aren't particularly noisy or if they're routed in a way that doesn't create much friction. Every house is different, and what works great in one situation might be overkill in another. I guess my approach has always been to err on the side of caution, especially since water damage can get expensive fast.
One thing I'm curious about though—did you notice if your pipes were more prone to noise during certain times of year? I've noticed mine seem louder in winter, probably due to temperature fluctuations causing more expansion and contraction. Wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar...
I've definitely noticed more pipe noise in colder months myself. Seems like the temperature swings can cause the pipes to contract or expand just enough to rub against brackets or studs. Last winter, I actually wrapped some foam insulation around a few particularly noisy spots in my basement, and it seemed to help quite a bit. Might be worth a try if you're still noticing seasonal variations in noise levels...
Wrapping foam insulation is a solid fix, especially if you've pinpointed the trouble spots. Temperature swings definitely cause pipes to expand and contract, making them rub or knock against whatever they're mounted to. I've seen this plenty of times—usually in older homes where brackets loosen up over the years.
If you notice the noise coming back or shifting around, it might help to check if any pipe hangers or clamps have become loose. Sometimes just tightening them up or adding an extra clamp can quiet things down significantly. I've also had good luck with felt or rubber padding between pipes and brackets—just something simple to absorb those vibrations.
One thing to keep an eye on: if your pipes are consistently noisy in colder weather, make sure they're not exposed anywhere that could lead to freezing issues down the line. Insulating them helps with noise, but it's also great for preventing frozen pipes (and trust me, dealing with burst pipes is way worse than a bit of knocking).
Sounds like you're already on the right track though—nice job getting ahead of it before winter fully kicks in.
"I've also had good luck with felt or rubber padding between pipes and brackets—just something simple to absorb those vibrations."
Seconding the felt padding tip. Had a stubborn pipe knocking behind my laundry room wall last year... drove me nuts. Tried foam insulation first, which helped a bit, but adding small felt strips between the clamps and pipes finally shut it up for good. Definitely worth the extra 10 mins it took to install—my sanity thanked me all winter, lol.
Gotta admit, I was skeptical about the felt padding trick at first. I've seen homeowners try all sorts of DIY fixes that end up being temporary band-aids at best. But honestly, felt padding between pipes and brackets is one of those rare simple solutions that actually works pretty well.
Couple years back, I had a client who'd tried everything—foam insulation, tightening clamps, even some weird homemade rubber contraption he found online. Nothing worked. He was convinced his house was haunted by some angry plumbing ghost (his words, not mine). Finally, I suggested we try felt strips as a last resort. He gave me this look like "seriously?" but we went ahead anyway. Sure enough, silence. No more knocking or rattling.
"Definitely worth the extra 10 mins it took to install—my sanity thanked me all winter, lol."
Exactly this. Sometimes the simplest fixes are the best ones...even if they seem too easy to be true at first. Glad you got your sanity back!
