A ticking in the walls at night is the plumbing cooling down and contracting, and it is a sound of the house settling. It is usually harmless, but a persistent tick can point to a loose support.
The cooling
After the last hot water use, the pipes cool and shrink slightly, and the movement against the framing makes a tick. freezing winters put stress on exposed lines, and many older homes still have aging galvanized pipes In Lincoln, it is most noticeable in the quiet house at night.
The harmless
A tick or two after the water use is normal pipe contraction, and it needs no repair.
The loose
A repeated, rhythmic ticking can be a pipe that is not supported tightly, and adding a hanger or a cushion stops it.
The other
A tick that runs on, or that happens without any recent water use, may be something else in the wall and worth a check.
The call
Know when the night tick is worth a look. Call 888-217-3585 and Lincoln, NE Plumbing Helpers will match you with a Lincoln pro.
Plumbing in Lincoln: what to know
In Lincoln, freezing winters put stress on exposed lines, and many older homes still have aging galvanized pipes. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Lancaster County — from Crete, Seward and Wahoo to ZIP codes like 68503, 68510, 68588 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in Lincoln?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Lincoln, NE Plumbing Helpers will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Lincoln.