High water pressure is a frequent reason for water hammering. Your problem is probably caused by your pressure, which is close to 100 psi. 30 to 55 psi is considered normal pressure. Consider hiring a plumber to install a water pressure regulating device to address this issue.
A water hammer arrestor costs from $15 to $50. They're available online, at home centers, and in hardware stores. Most of the cost of a water hammer arrestor installation is in the labor. Calling in a pro will typically run $250 – $500.
You may have heard it before and had no idea what the cause of the noise was. Water hammer isn't an emergency, but it is something to be concerned about in the sense that you want to have it addressed by a professional ASAP.
Water hammer can cause serious damage to pipelines, pipe joins gaskets, and all other components of the system like flow meters and pressure gauges. On contact, these pressure spikes can easily exceed five to ten times the working pressure of the system, placing a tremendous amount of stress on the system.
Water hammer can commonly be caused by trapped air inside the system. Air can find its way into your pipework system if empty pipework is filled too quickly. To minimise the risk of air accumulating with the system, ensure pipework is filled slowly to allow air to escape.
However, this involves enlisting the help of an experienced plumber to fabricate and install a vertical pipe near every valve that has a problem. Whenever the water valves are suddenly shut off, the vertical pipes will act like the air chamber, absorbing any air and preventing a banging sound.
Water hammer rarely goes away on its own; it's a serious plumbing problem you should address. Pipes can sustain damage from repeated impact, resulting in leaks or burst pipes. Fixtures like faucets and valves can also be affected by water hammer stress, leading to wear and tear or even failure over time.
The Risks of Ignoring Water Hammer
Over time, the repeated pressure surges can weaken joints and cause leaks, or in severe cases, even cause pipes to burst. This damage can be costly to repair and may lead to water damage in your home.
But our best advice is to always fit a potable water expansion vessel on the pipework. The expansion vessel can deal with higher water pressure and you can avoid banging noises. Fit a pressure-reducing valve. Use pipe insulation around the pipes which can absorb the water hammer and pipe expansion.
Left untreated, water hammer can lead to actual damage to pipework, appliances and components of any system.
If your pressure is higher or lower, then you'll need to install, repair, or adjust your pressure regulator to comply. Adjusting your regulator is easy, as long as it's working properly. Simply tighten the screw down clockwise to increase pressure and counter-clockwise to decrease pressure.
Open all faucets and flush all toilets in the house, starting with the top floor and working your way down. Remove the toilet tank cover and continue flushing until all of the water has drained out. Force the water out. Use an air compressor to force any remaining water out of the pipes.
Also called a hydraulic surge or a hydraulic shock, the water hammer effect usually happens when moving fluids are forced to change directions or are stopped abruptly. The term water hammer sounds alarming, but it' not a plumbing emergency. However, it could be an indication of the current condition of your pipes.
The required type of PRVs can cost anywhere from $90-$200 and can be purchased at a big box store. A plumber will charge anywhere from $200-$800 for materials and labor but a homeowner with a moderate level of maintenance knowledge might be able to switch out their PRV.
If you've never had water hammer and one day you suddenly experience it out of the blue, then it's likely your water system's air chambers are blocked. These chambers often become blocked with water or residue from minerals found in water.
Over time, water hammer can cause pipes not only to leak but burst. The bad news is that water hammer is a common problem.
Q: How long will the Sioux Chief engineered water hammer arresters last? A: Although arresters are typically tested to 10,000 cycles, Sioux Chief arresters have been independently lab tested to withstand 500,000 cycles without failure.
Install a water hammer arrestor: This device has an air-filled cylinder to absorb the impact of abrupt increases in water pressure. Most water hammer arrestors are installed between the shut-off valve and supply line via screw-type connectors.
Open one or two faucets before turning the water back on, then incrementally restore water until you see it freely flowing out of the open fixture. When turning the water back on after a shut-off, turn the water-cutoff valve counter-clockwise slowly (and extra slow for lever handles) to return the water supply.
Most often, the problem is a failed gasket in the pressure-reducing valve where water comes into the house. Replacing this valve, including the part and labor, costs less than $300, according to Connie Hodges, operations manager at Wacker Plumbing & Remodeling in Sterling (703-450-5565, www.wackerplumbing.com).
When this happens, the cause is usually that water has bubbled up into the air chamber over time, nullifying its protective effects. But fixing this is relatively easy: shut off the home's main water valve and then open faucets at the highest and lowest points of the structure.
In that case, the noise is caused by trapped air in the pipes; this is caused by an “air hammer.” In this case, there can be an air pocket that is highly compressed due to water pressure.