How to get rid of loud sink noise?

My cold water tap makes a loud noise and vibrates when it's turned on at low volume. However, when I turn it on more, there's a point at which the noise stops and there is no more vibration. It's annoying because I can't use my cold water at low volume (i.e. when it isn't coming out of the faucet really fast). I don't have any plumbing experience, but is there a fix for someone with household tools (wrench, screwdriver, hammer, etc.).

Public Comments

1. try to locate the approx area where you hear the vibration at it's loudest point. The problem is probably that is not fastened down good enough or not at all. cut a hand size piece of drywall out first to locate your pipe. When located cut out enough drywall to place a fastener down. This may help. I had two vibrating pipes in my home and this how I solved both of my problems. Remember to fasten it to a stud. Good Luck.
2. The situation you describe is called water hammer. Look in the attic for some pipes sticking up in the air, with caps on them. If you have these, the simplest fix is to shut off your main water valve, and open all the faucets in the house. Now close the faucets and turn your water back on. What you are doing is to re-introduce some air into those vertical pipes, so they can take the shock of water moving in your pipes, and allow some room for expansion. If you don't have these pipes, you can purchase a set of water hammer arrestors, and these can be installed on the valves at your washing machine. They are about $10 each. I hope this helps.
3. Check for loose pipes or water pressure, either and. If you don't have this problem in other parts of the house it's probably a loose pipe.