Is water hammer causing annoyance on your premises?

If your pipes are making a banging sound, it’s most likely being caused by ‘water hammer’.

We’re familiar with a great variety of customer enquiries at Pure Plumbing Pros, and the issue of water hammer is no exception. Common in residential places, water hammer refers to a loud banging noise that is mostly noticeable when water is turned on, and shut off. An annoying occurrence, it is something that if ‘kicked down the road’, can develop into a troublesome and costly situation for your household. If you are experiencing loud banging noises, give us a call and our plumbers can sort out your problem ASAP!

What causes water hammer?

Pipes serve as a core facet of a plumbing system’s function. It’s commonplace for them to make some noise occasionally, however when there’s a relentless banging or thumping coming from the internal system, there’s definitely a cause for concern.

There are various documented causes of water hammer in plumbing systems, though the most regular that we diagnose are:

• Faults in the plumbing design on a premises
• Incorrect assignment of taps
• Automatic valves on plumbing systems
• High water pressure
• Restrictions of flow, as a result of pipe kinks and/or corrosion
• Presence of air in pipes

These system issues can result in what is known as water hammer, the sound of which is caused by hydraulic shock waves.

Technically speaking, hydraulic shock happens when fluid passing through a pipe is subjected to an instant change in speed and direction, causing a surge of pressure. In the plumbing sphere, this happens when a valve at the end of a pipeline is closed off all of a sudden.

Can water hammer damage pipes?

If water hammer is left untreated, a plethora of issues could potentially await you.

Minimally speaking, excessive water pressure generated can lead to leakage on your premises.

Though on the other end of the spectrum, a long-unresolved water hammer problem can amount to bursting and collapsing of pipes and fittings on your premises.

How to stop water hammer

Generally speaking, the best water hammer solution is to ensure secure structure during the construction of your premises. Properly-completed plumbing installations generally have air chambers which compress upon the shock wave, mitigating the hammering noise. Of course, the construction side of things is often out of our control. Over time, chambers can become compromised, becoming waterlogged and resulting in abrupt hammering.

Additionally, water hammer arrestors serve as an alternative solution to water hammering. Using a compressible air cushion to absorb pressure spikes in the plumbing mechanism, these control valves are available at most hardware stores, though it is strongly advised that installation be carried out by a licensed professional.

In almost all cases of water hammering, the best plan of action is to get in touch with a plumbing professional as soon as possible to ensure a cost-effective, efficient fix to a vital component of your home.

Don't put up with noisy pipes any longer!

Give our Sydney plumbers a call on (02) 9191 7374 or complete our service request form today.

Resources used

 https://southeastwater.com.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/LearnAboutWater/WaterQuality/WaterHammerAndNoiseTransmission.pdf

 https://www.buildsafe.com.au/how-to-diagnose-and-eradicate-water-hammer-in-your-home/