Why Does My Kitchen Faucet Whistle?

Whistling sounds from kitchen faucets can be very disturbing. The high-pitched sound you hear when your kitchen faucet is running could be the result of several different problems. Whatever the cause, this is a problem that should be addressed immediately.

In this article, we’ll review some of the potential causes of a shrill sound from your kitchen faucet, as well as some tips for trying to fix the problem.

How Can I Fix A Whistling Kitchen Faucet?

To fix a noisy faucet, determine the root cause of the problem. If you can correctly determine what is causing the obnoxious whistling sound, you may be able to fix the problem easily.

However, if the problem is more serious, such as a plumbing problem, you may need to seek professional help. If the noise is caused by the plumbing, it is crucial to have it replaced as soon as possible to avoid other problems.

What Causes Faucets To Make Noise?

There are several factors that may contribute to this problem. Common causes include problems with the washing machine, problems with the valve, and problems with the plumbing. Properly identifying the cause of the squeaking noise is critical to solving the problem.

Troubleshooting Washing Machine Problems

A dislodged or loose washer may be the cause of a squeaking kitchen faucet. This can also be the culprit if the wrong washer size is chosen.

Designed to restrict water flow, the aerator (aka screen) mounted at the top of the spout may be clogged. Calcium deposits may cause increased water pressure, which in turn causes the internal washer to vibrate.

How To Fix Aerator Or Washer Problems?

If the problem is thought to be in the aerator or washing machine, it is relatively easy to fix.

What you will need.

• Adjustable pliers
• Rubber cleaning gloves
• Vinegar
• Correctly sized washer (if the washer is the problem)

Make sure you turn off the water supply to the faucet before removing the aerator or gasket. The shut-off valve may cut off water to the entire household, so make sure family members know in advance so no one gets trapped in the shower.

To fix the aerator, try unscrewing it by hand. A rubber glove can help you gain traction to grab the aerator and remove it. If you can’t unscrew it completely, you can use movable pliers to remove it.

Once you have removed the aerator, soak it in vinegar overnight to remove mineral deposits. If the gasket seems to be the problem, replace or reinstall the gasket and reinsert the aerator.

Valve Problems

If problems with the washer and aerator have been ruled out, the valve may be causing a whistling sound. If the noise is isolated to a handle, such as a hot or cold water handle, start there. This likely means that the hot or cold valve is the culprit, not both.

How To Fix It

What do you need?

• Wrench or locking pliers
• Screwdriver
• Replace rubber parts if necessary
• Spring to replace the gasket as needed
• Vinegar

Make sure you have turned off the water supply to the faucet before removing it. Use a wrench or locking pliers to remove the retaining nut of the valve. If the nut is loose, it may be the cause of the problem and only needs to be tightened.

If the nut is not the problem, the rubber gasket inside the water inlet hole of the valve housing may be the cause. Using a screwdriver, remove the valve.

Replace the gasket, o-ring, gasket spring, or any other worn rubber parts you may find. If the valve has been covered with mineral deposits, soak it in vinegar overnight before putting it back in.

Problems With Pipes

Another possible source of the whistling sound from your kitchen faucet may be the pipe itself. If there is scale and rust buildup on the pipe, a common problem with galvanized pipes, then the water pressure may be affected, causing the sound.

Water pressure should usually fall between 50 and 60 pounds per square inch (pounds per square inch). If the water pressure is too high, the pipes may need to be replaced or the pressure regulator may need to be adjusted.

How To Fix A Plumbing Problem

If the problem is with the pipes, the solution may not be as simple as some of the previous solutions. If the pipe is causing the water pressure to rise, it’s vital to fix it as soon as possible to avoid a ruptured pipe or burst joint.

What you’ll need

• Pressure gauge
• Replacement pipes and parts

Start by checking the water pressure with a pressure gauge. You can buy a fairly inexpensive pressure gauge at most hardware stores. To check the water pressure, screw the gauge onto one of your outdoor faucets.

If the water pressure is above the normal range, you will need to adjust the pressure regulator or lower the pressure pump cutoff pressure. If you’re not comfortable fixing problems around pipes and pressure pumps, call a plumber before the problem becomes more problematic.