Water hammer is caused by water going through a pipe and hitting a bend and changing direction. When water hits the pipe as it changes direction it causes a shockwave, this is the hammer sound. It's most often caused by quick closing valves on appliances such as dishwashing and clothes washing machines. But it can also be caused by the quick shutting off of water by toilet tanks and faucets in sinks, showers and bathtubs.
A solution to the water hammer problem, in more modern homes, is to install devices called air chambers. The chambers or cushions are filled with air, they absorb the shockwaves. The problem is that over time these devices often become partly or completely filled with water. This happens because the air, over time, is absorbed by the water, and water takes the lost air's place.
Water hammer doesn't only affect water plumbing systems, it can also affect steam ones. But in steam delivery or distribution plumbing it's referred to as 'steam hammer'. In these cases, steam condenses into water in one of the horizontal sections of pipe. Steam picks up this water and sends it into a pipe connection or joint.
Even though water hammer generally isn't very threatening, it has caused accidents and fatalities. Usually the most damage done is the breaking or busting of a pipe from the inside. It's important to have a professional evaluate your problem and see how extensive the problem is and what it will take to repair it.
If a home doesn't have air chambers built into its plumbing system, reducing the overall water pressure might be a solution. This can be done by installing pressure-reducing valves in the water supply lines. But this might not work because the water pressure might be too low for second and third floor faucets and toilets to work properly. Another solution is to install air chambers, may current models have built-in valves for letting their air refill.
If the home's plumbing system doesn't have air chambers built into it, reducing the water pressure may be a solution, this could be accomplished with the installation of valves that reduce the pressure of the lines coming into the house. But this might not work if it leads to such low pressure that faucets and valves on upper-floors only have a trickle of water coming out of them. If pressure reduction doesn't work, it may be necessary to install air chambers into the current plumbing system. Many of the chamber devices currently on the market have a built-in valve for letting air refill.
A solution to the water hammer problem, in more modern homes, is to install devices called air chambers. The chambers or cushions are filled with air, they absorb the shockwaves. The problem is that over time these devices often become partly or completely filled with water. This happens because the air, over time, is absorbed by the water, and water takes the lost air's place.
Water hammer doesn't only affect water plumbing systems, it can also affect steam ones. But in steam delivery or distribution plumbing it's referred to as 'steam hammer'. In these cases, steam condenses into water in one of the horizontal sections of pipe. Steam picks up this water and sends it into a pipe connection or joint.
Even though water hammer generally isn't very threatening, it has caused accidents and fatalities. Usually the most damage done is the breaking or busting of a pipe from the inside. It's important to have a professional evaluate your problem and see how extensive the problem is and what it will take to repair it.
If a home doesn't have air chambers built into its plumbing system, reducing the overall water pressure might be a solution. This can be done by installing pressure-reducing valves in the water supply lines. But this might not work because the water pressure might be too low for second and third floor faucets and toilets to work properly. Another solution is to install air chambers, may current models have built-in valves for letting their air refill.
If the home's plumbing system doesn't have air chambers built into it, reducing the water pressure may be a solution, this could be accomplished with the installation of valves that reduce the pressure of the lines coming into the house. But this might not work if it leads to such low pressure that faucets and valves on upper-floors only have a trickle of water coming out of them. If pressure reduction doesn't work, it may be necessary to install air chambers into the current plumbing system. Many of the chamber devices currently on the market have a built-in valve for letting air refill.
About the Author:
Brain LeMaire has served as President of CuraFlo since September 2006, before that he has worked in the slab leak repair and pipe restoration industry in Vancouver, Canada as General Manager of West Coast Pipe Restoration. He just updated the Page on low water flow
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