Your plumbing system consists of a vast series of interconnected pipes, valves, and other components. While a professionally installed plumbing system works well for many years, things can eventually go wrong. Water hammer is one such thing.
Water hammer is the loud banging noise you sometimes hear when you turn off your faucet. It's the sound of water hammering into the valve on the faucet that you just closed. In addition to being disruptive and disconcerting, water hammer can also damage your water lines, valves, and plumbing fixtures if you leave it unattended.
Because of the issues water hammer can cause, it's important to have them repaired in a timely manner. This article will explain how to do that, how to spot water hammer, and how to prevent it in the future. We'll also discuss who to turn to for the supplies and tools you'll need to repair the issue yourself!
What Exactly is Water Hammer?
Water hammer refers to the loud banging noise you hear in your water pipes when you have water running and then abruptly turn it off. It can happen when you're running a faucet in your kitchen sink, shower, bathroom faucet, and other plumbing fixtures. Water hammer can also happen in water lines connected to washing machines, water heaters, dishwashers, and other plumbing appliances.
This phenomenon is called "water hammer" because of the hammering noise you hear in your water supply line. It's most common with a cold water supply line, but it can also happen with hot water. The hammering noise you hear is the sound of water slamming into the shut-off valve and is unmistakable in nature.
Why is Water Hammer an Issue in Plumbing Systems?
Ever since indoor plumbing has been around, water hammer has been an issue. This is because water pressure is unpredictable and can get too high at times. When this happens, and you turn off your faucet, bringing water to a sudden stop, it's like an ocean wave crashing down onto a beach. It creates a hydraulic shock wave, which generates a loud bang or thump.
Luckily, water hammer is less common in modern professionally installed plumbing systems. Plumbers have discovered that installing an air chamber in your plumbing pipes helps soften the blow when water comes to a screeching halt. As such, while water hammer can still happen in some instances with especially high pressure or a faulty water pressure regulator, it's far less common.
Signs and Symptoms of Water Hammer in a Plumbing System
If you have an older plumbing system, it's important to be on the lookout for water hammer. Unfortunately, there really aren't any signs and symptoms other than the sound of banging pipes when you turn your water off. Therefore, it's important to be on the lookout for this easily distinguishable noise so that you can fix the problem.
Common Causes of Water Hammer
Now that you have a better idea of what water hammer is, let's look at what the most common causes are.
Sudden Closing of Valves
As we said earlier, water hammer is most commonly caused by abruptly closing faucets or valves. However, there's often an underlying cause of this issue, and it's typically one of the following:
High Water Pressure
When your water pressure is too high, the water is flowing too fast through your water pipes. Therefore, when you suddenly turn your water off, the extra momentum and speed it has causes it to slam into the shut-off valve.
Unsupported Water Lines
Water hammer can also happen when you have unsupported pipes due to inadequate amounts of pipe straps. Because the pipe is unsupported, the water flowing through it causes it to jostle against walls and joists, creating a banging sound.
Fast Fast-acting solenoid Valves
Some of your plumbing appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, have solenoid valves. These valves quickly and effectively stop the flow of water into your machine. However, if it's a fast-acting solenoid valve and you have high water pressure, water hammer will be the result.
Air Pockets in Water Lines
Another possible cause of your water hammer is that you have air pockets in your water lines. Air pockets will increase the water pressure and cause water to hammer the sides of your pipes and valves, resulting in water hammer.
What Happens if You Ignore Water Hammer?
Most people think that water hammer is just a loud, disruptive noise that doesn't have any potential consequences. However, if you leave water hammer unattended, all it takes is one sudden burst of extra pressure for the water to burst a pipe or valve, resulting in massive water leaks.
Can You Prevent Water Hammer?
The best way to prevent water hammer is to have air chambers installed in your plumbing system. A water chamber is a vertical pipe that runs into your cold or hot water supply line and provides a vent-like effect to prevent air buildup. This helps cushion the blow of water against pipes and valves, and effectively reduces water hammer.
How to Fix Water Hammer Issues
If you already have water hammer in your plumbing system and want to fix the issue on your own, here's what you can do:
- Make sure that all of your water lines are adequately supported with plumbing straps.
- Reduce the water pressure regulator on your home's plumbing system.
- Create built-in air chambers in your water supply pipes. To do this, turn the water supply off to your home and drain all the water in your pipes. When your plumbing system is drained, turn the water back on to your home and let natural air chambers form.
- Install a water hammer arrestor in your plumbing system. Water hammer arrestors are air-filled pipes that you connect to Ts in your plumbing system and prevent the pressure and shock that creates water hammer.
Commercial Industrial Supply Can Help!
If you decide to install water hammer arrestors, Commercial Industrial Supply can help. Our water hammer arrestors are user-friendly, easy to install, and sure to solve your issues. While the other methods in this article can temporarily solve your issues, a water hammer arrestor is a permanent solution that will help prevent future plumbing damage.