For anyone wondering -- Shut off the water, then I grabbed the top of the fill valve and turned counter clockwise to remove the head, put a cup over the top then turned on the water full blast, catching the water in the cup. did this for 30 seconds and the hammer went away.
To solve this you need to replace the toilet valve, or install a device called a water hammer arrestor that basicly acts as a shock absorber for your water system. They are both available at most home improvement centers, and hardware stores.
When the valve in toilet flush system closes suddenly the pressure of the water is dramatically increases momentarily. This surge in the pressure forms a wave which travels back and forth in the pipe and eventually vanishes. The term used for this is ``Water Hammer''.
This can be fixed by draining your plumbing system, which requires turning off the main water valve and opening the highest faucet in your home. Then drain water from the lowest faucet. The chamber should fill up with air once the water is drained and resolve your water hammer problem.
Clogged Pipes & Drains
Clogged pipes and drains are some of the most common plumbing issues. A foul odor, drain and sink backups, and low water pressure are all signs that your plumbing system is clogged. Clogs and obstructions in your toilet pipes cause your toilet to make noise when flushing.
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.
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.
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.
The long-term effects of water hammer might present themselves in the following ways: Leaks: Water hammer has the potential to damage joints, fittings and connections, resulting in poor seals and ultimately leaky pipes.
To do this, shut off your home's main water valve, then open the highest faucet in your home. Next, turn on the lowest faucet in your home and keep it on until all water has drained. Finally, reopen the main water valve to refill your pipes.
A vibration in your walls can also be the result of something called the “water hammer” effect. When you have a water hammer, this means that the water in your pipes is hitting up against a valve that is shutting off too quickly, or “hammering.” This happens often with toilet fill valves and faucets.
Let water drain from open faucets. Wait approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Turn on water supply to the house at the main. Wait 5 to 10 minutes to let faucets regain a strong stream and flow water.
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.
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.
A: Water hammer occurs when the flow of water is abruptly halted, causing a surge in pressure within the pipes. This often happens when a valve, such as the one in a toilet, closes suddenly after a rapid influx of water.
Turn On Faucets Throughout Your Home
It is only necessary to open the faucets a half turn to allow the air in your pipes to escape. After you turn on all the cold and hot water faucets in your house, you should also flush your toilets to clear out the air trapped in your pipes.
By turning off your main water supply and running all faucets for 10-15 minutes, you force any trapped air through your water pipes. Let's dive in a bit deeper to help you remove unnecessary air from pipes. Luckily, the fix for this is relatively simple and something most homeowners can easily do on their own.
Fully open every tap in your home (including outdoor taps), flush all toilets until no water comes out, turn on any showers, make sure dishwashers and washing machines are not running and have finished their cycles. Turn on the water supply, make sure the stopcocks fully open, undo until it can't loosen any further.