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.
Left untreated, water hammer can cause significant damage by destroying pipework, the home's plumbing system, and appliances connected to the pipes.
While water hammers initially start out as just loud noises inside your pipes, they can cause serious damage to your plumbing if they aren't fixed soon after the problem begins.
Are your water pipes banging, clanging or knocking? That means that you have water hammer. If left untreated, water hammer can lead to burst pipes. Don't put off a fix. It's quick, easy and cheap.
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.
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.
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.
Some common ways to fix water hammer are to reduce the pressure, even temporarily. This will take the force off the valve's closing process until you can either invest in piping with chambers or install a pressure regulator.
The effect of the shockwaves can damage the pipes and knock them loose, and also damage taps, faucets, and appliances. Enough force from water hammer can even cause pipes to burst. If you hear rattling sounds along with the water hammer, it likely means you have pipes coming loose.
Ignoring water hammer can ultimately result in the catastrophic failure of your flow system. The long-term effects of water hammer can include: Pump and Flow System Damage.
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.
Fixing the problem can be as easy as shutting off the main valve and draining your plumbing system. If that doesn't work, installing an arrestor or adding pipe straps and insulation can make a big difference.
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.
Remember, installing the arrestor as close as possible to the noise-making fixture is crucial to combat the water hammer effectively. Once installed, the arrestor needs no maintenance. If you still hear a banging noise, check to see if enough straps are holding the pipes in place. If not, add more.
If you have water hammer or experience any of the above issues from water hammering, contact your plumber immediately to assess the health of your pipes, joints, and valves. Your plumber will also give you options for fixing the problem.
Left untreated, water hammer can lead to actual damage to pipework, appliances and components of any system. Over time this damage can accumulate and result in the premature failure of parts of the plumbing system and all the watery hassle that can cause.
For a more sophisticated alternative to reducing water hammer, another option is to install “water hammer arrestors”. Instead of installing a vertical pipe near valves to capture and absorb pressure, the arrestors use a mixture of springs and air bladders to absorb water movement and reduce shock waves.
If you never had hammering and then it suddenly starts, most likely your plumbing system's air chambers have become waterlogged. You can cure water hammer by turning off the water behind the waterlogged chamber, opening the offending faucet and permitting the faucet to drain thoroughly.
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. In all probability. you have heard the sound before, but you don't exactly know what it was.
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.
Loose mounting straps contribute to water hammer. Check your accessible pipes to ensure they're secured in a way that allows some movement but doesn't let the pipes shake forcefully. If you hear the hammering noise only after shutting off a particular faucet, the cause is likely to be a worn-out faucet washer.
The best places are either close to the pump, isolation or check valve that is originating the hammer, or at more distant points where the pipe changes direction, for example at the top of a pump riser.