Water Hammer?
Categories: Home Tips
Posted Monday, October 19, 2009 | 13 Views |
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When we turn off the water, we hear a loud bang. What is causing this, and will it hurt anything?
Such sounds are usually caused by a phenomenon called a "water hammer".
A water hammer happens when you turn OFF a water flow suddenly (like a dishwasher, a clothes washer, a toilet or even closing a hand faucet suddenly). Shutting off the flow suddenly sends a pressure or shock wave down the water line through the water shocking the pipes and creating the "hammer" noise. These shock waves travel faster than the speed of sound and can exert very great instantaneous pressures. Over time, water hammer can damage pipes, valves and eventually weaken pipe joints.
To eliminate the problem, you can install a "water hammer arrester". (They're called various things such as air chamber, air cushion, water capacitor, etc.). They are air filled chambers connected to the plumbing that let the pressure wave dissipate harmlessly into a cushion of air. If your banging has been happening forever, you may not have one.