Water hammer is caused by water going through a pipe and hitting a bend and changing direction. When water hits the pipe as it changes direction it causes a shockwave, this is the hammer sound. It’s most often caused by quick closing valves on appliances such as dishwashing and clothes washing machines. But it can also be caused by the quick shutting off of water by toilet tanks and faucets in sinks, showers and bathtubs.
Over time, these impacts can create pressure which can weaken and damage pipes, valves, and pipe joints. In more modern homes, the solution has been to install air chambers, devices filled with air, which act as cushions. But over time, these devices can fail. Over time, the air in the chamber is absorbed by the water, which then takes its place.
The damage water hammer causes can lead to a pipe breaking or bursting, which can lead to property damage or even injury. A professional evaluation is recommended, both to determine the extent of the problem and to get an estimate of what repairs or replacement will cost.
Even though water hammer generally isn’t very threatening, it has caused accidents and fatalities. Usually the most damage done is the breaking or busting of a pipe from the inside. It’s important to have a professional evaluate your problem and see how extensive the problem is and what it will take to repair it.
If water hammering suddenly starts, the most likely cause is a home’s plumbing system’s air chambers have filled with water. It’s possible for a homeowner to fix the problem themselves if they can locate the water-filled chamber. The water needs to be turned off before it gets to the chamber, then the problem faucet or valve needs to be opened and allowed to drain thoroughly. After all the water drains from the chamber, air will replace it and restore the cushion. If the air chamber is located below the vertical level of the outlet, it may be necessary to drain the main home’s water supply lines so that the chamber can fill with air. If the air chamber won’t drain properly, it may be clogged with tuberculation, scale, or some kind of residue from minerals or chemicals dissolved in the water. Sometimes it’s possible to clean them out, but if not they should be replaced.
Installing air chambers in a home that doesn’t have them can be a great solution, many currently manufactured units even have built-in valves that let air refill. Reducing the overall water pressure in a home is another option if no air chambers exist. Pressure-reducing valves can be fitted into the water supply lines. But this could lead to the water pressure being too low for upper-level bathtubs, showers, toilets, and faucets.
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