Those plastic clamps really do nothing for noise, like you said. I’d add that sometimes even metal clamps can rattle if they’re not tightened enough or the neoprene wears out.
Yeah, totally agree about the clamps—plastic ones are basically pointless for vibration, and old metal ones can be just as bad if that rubber’s gone brittle. I’ve seen folks try to “fix” it with a wedge of cardboard or something jammed in there, which only lasts about a week before it starts buzzing again.
Doubling up on pads is smart, especially in older homes where everything seems to amplify any little sound. I’ve even used those thick felt furniture pads under mounting boards in a pinch. Not ideal, but it helped more than nothing.
Curious—have you ever had issues with the pipes themselves rattling after you sorted the pump? I had one job where the pump was quiet but the copper lines still rattled against the joists every time it kicked on. Ended up having to go back and add more pipe insulation in a few spots. Seems like every house has its own weird quirks when it comes to noise...
Honestly, I think the whole clamp debate gets a bit overblown. I’ve seen plenty of setups where even the “cheap” plastic clamps did the trick—if you use enough of them and space them right. It’s not always about the material, but how you install them. Sure, metal with fresh neoprene is ideal, but sometimes you just gotta work with what you’ve got, especially in tight spots or weird angles.
About the pipe rattle—sometimes it’s less about insulation and more about how the lines are run. If there’s too much tension or not enough flex, no amount of padding will stop the vibration from transferring to the joists. I had a job where we ended up loosening a few hangers and giving the pipe a little more play, and that actually solved it better than piling on more foam.
Every house really does have its own “personality” when it comes to noise. Sometimes you chase one sound and end up creating another... kind of like plumbing whack-a-mole.
I’ve run into the same thing with clamps—sometimes the “cheap” ones do just fine if you’re careful about placement and don’t overtighten. I do think there’s a limit, though. In spots with a lot of vibration or where pipes are carrying higher pressure (like after a booster pump install), I’ve noticed the plastic clamps can wear out faster or even crack over time. Metal with neoprene is definitely more forgiving in those cases, but you’re right, sometimes you just have to make do.
Pipe rattle is a whole different beast. I’ve had situations where just shifting a hanger an inch or two made all the difference. It’s funny how every house seems to have its own quirks—sometimes you fix one noise and another pops up somewhere else. Makes you appreciate the “quiet” jobs when they come along...
I get where you’re coming from about making do with what’s on hand, but I’ve learned the hard way that cutting corners with clamps—especially after a booster pump—can come back to bite you. Had a tenant call me in a panic once because a plastic clamp failed and the pipe started leaking right over their laundry setup. Not a huge flood, but enough to cause some damage and a headache for both of us.
Even if the cheap ones seem fine at first, the constant pressure and vibration just wear them down faster than you’d expect. I’d rather spend a bit more up front for metal clamps with proper padding than risk water damage or emergency repairs later. It’s tempting to save a few bucks, but in my experience, it rarely pays off in the long run.
And yeah, pipe rattle is its own kind of mystery. Sometimes it feels like you fix one spot and another starts up across the house... never-ending game of whack-a-mole.
Totally agree—cheap clamps just aren’t worth the risk, especially with a booster pump pushing higher pressure. I tried using plastic ones in my basement and they lasted maybe a year before I noticed a slow drip. Swapped them for stainless and haven’t had an issue since. Pipe rattle drives me nuts too... sometimes I swear the pipes are haunted.