subject: Solve Water Hammering Problems [print this page] Water hammering is generally referred to noise that comes out of the water pipe when you turn off a water faucet suddenly. When water flowing through the pipe with high pressure is forced to halt, then it creates this noise.
To prevent this water hammering, generally air chambers or cushions are installed inside the water pipes. These cushions compress themselves when the water with high pressure hits them and as a result, no voice is generated. If water hammering starts all of sudden in your water pipes then the reason could be water logging of these air chambers.
To solve this problem of water hammering, close the main water supply so that no water enters inside the water pipe and turn on the attached faucet to drain out the remaining water of the pipe. Now air would again enter inside the air chambers.
In case the air chamber is clogged with scale or residue from chemicals or minerals then it will not drain out properly. Therefore, the chamber should be larger than supply pipe to prevent such clogging. If such clogging occurs then remove the cap and remove the entire residue.
In case air chambers are not built into your plumbing system, you must look for another alternative as water hammer pressures may cause damage such as failure of fittings or burst pipes. Since water hammer is most often caused by water pressure that's too high, the first step is to reduce the water pressure. Sometimes this isn't feasible because a reduction in pressure may result in only a dribble of water at an upper-floor faucet if one on the first floor is turned on.
Where the idea is a workable one, you can reduce pressure by installing a pressure-reducing valve in the supply line that comes into the house. The same purpose is served by installing a globe valve at the head of the affected pipeline. But this too may result in pressure too low for proper operation when other faucets are open.
In case pressure reduction is not possible in your house then you can install air chambers in your home's plumbing. But if installation of air chamber is also not possible then contact plumbing supply dealer to suggest some alternative.
These were some easy ways of solving the problem. You can choose any one that suits your home's plumbing. Make sure that you solve the problem as soon as you discover it.
