| The sound can reverberate throughout your | | | | the connections throughout the pipe over |
| house and be loud enough to scare your pets. | | | | time. |
| Water hammering typically manifests through a | | | | |
| loud initial noise followed by thrumming | | | | Most homes today have air chambers built into |
| vibrations. Noisy water pipes are a common | | | | certain locations throughout the plumbing to |
| problem that can usually be fixed easily. | | | | prevent the valves from closing so quickly. |
| But, fixing them requires knowing why the | | | | The air chambers are supposed to provide a |
| problem is happening in the first place. In | | | | cushion between the water and the pipes. |
| this article, we'll describe what factors in | | | | Unlike water, air compresses easily. When |
| your home's plumbing are causing your noisy | | | | water is shooting toward a valve, the air in |
| water pipes. Then, we'll tell you what you | | | | the air chambers absorbs much of the impact |
| can do to quiet them down. | | | | by compressing around the water. |
| | | | |
| What's Happening Down There? | | | | Fixing Your Noisy Water Pipes |
| | | | |
| Usually, noisy water pipes happen when the | | | | The best (and easiest) way to fix the water |
| water that is shooting through a pipe comes | | | | hammering problem is to refill the air |
| to a sudden stop at a valve that is closed. | | | | chambers. It's not as hard as it may sound. |
| While fluid, water isn't flexible when it | | | | Though the air chambers are typically located |
| comes to a grinding halt in your pipes. It | | | | throughout your house and are difficult to |
| isn't able to compress (like an marshmallow, | | | | see, you can do this without getting near |
| for example). So, when the water meets a | | | | them. First, turn your house's water supply |
| closed valve after shooting at high speeds | | | | off. Then, turn on a few faucets throughout |
| down a pipe, it crashes into the valve and | | | | your home in order to drain the pipes. If |
| creates the initial loud thud. Plumbers call | | | | possible, try to locate the faucet at the |
| this event "water hammering." | | | | lowest point in your home. Turn it on and let |
| | | | gravity drain the last of the water from your |
| The valves at the end of your pipes aren't | | | | pipes. |
| supposed to close quickly. They're designed | | | | |
| to close slowly, specifically to prevent | | | | Draining the water automatically fills the |
| water hammering from occurring. But, the | | | | pipes with air. In effect, draining the pipes |
| gaskets that close the valve can deteriorate. | | | | refills the air chambers. Once you've drained |
| If they become brittle, they may stop working | | | | the water, turn your home's water supply back |
| altogether. When that happens, the gaskets | | | | on. When you do this, you'll probably hear |
| are unable to prevent the valve from closing | | | | the air being forced from the faucets that |
| quickly. As a result, the water that goes | | | | were left on after initially draining the |
| through the pipe slams unexpectedly into the | | | | pipes. Chances are, once you do this, you'll |
| valve, causing the loud thud. Unfortunately, | | | | have resolved the water hammering problem. Of |
| the problem can become worse if it's not | | | | course, if the issue persists, call a |
| fixed. The repeated impact of the water | | | | professional who can help. If allowed, water |
| against the closed valve can actually damage | | | | hammering can severely damage the pipes. |