Do your pipes sound like they are practicing for the church choir? This problem is especially common in older homes or apartments. The noise is usually caused by pipes that thump or creak against boards in the walls or rattle from the pressure of the water coursing through them.

Don’t lose your shirt over it – but do cut an old shirt, towel or other fabric into strips and wrap several times around the noisy pipes wherever they are exposed. Fasten with a bit of duct or masking tape. This can help muffle the sound and create a buffer between the pipe and anything it may be coming in contact with.