Water Hammer Noise: What You Need to Know

Water hammer noise is the loud banging sound you hear in your plumbing system while it’s in use. The startling sound is a common occurrence in many households, and you may ignore the sounds after you get used to them in hopes that they will disappear later. 

However, ignoring the sounds will eventually damage your plumbing system. 

As plumbing specialists in Winnipeg, we know that fixing water hammer noise can save you thousands of dollars in repairs if you act quickly. This article will cover all you need to know about this problem, the causes, and how you can stop it from happening.

What Are the Signs of Water Hammer?

Water hammer, also known as hydraulic shock, comes as a loud bang. However, you may also feel intense vibrations if you’re in contact with the system as it happens, especially while shutting off a faucet. The faucet or affected pipes may also jump or shake briefly.

Powerful cases of water hammer can cause kitchenware or bottles in your cabinets to vibrate. The sound will also reverberate within your house’s inner structure.

What Are the Causes of Water Hammer?

Water hammer noise often occurs when water is shut off too quickly within your plumbing system. Shower faucets, sinks, and tubs can cause water hammering. However, washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters are the usual culprits. 

These appliances shut off water automatically, so they act a lot faster compared to closing faucets manually. The solenoid valves built into these appliances can shut off water in 30 milliseconds.

The sudden water stoppage causes an alarming sound, forcing the water supply pipes to bang against beams, joists, studs, and other water supply or drain pipes.

Other common causes of water hammer noise include the following:

Excessive Water Pressure

Water hammer noise can occur when the water pressure from the main water pipe entering a building is too high. Standard water pressure runs between 40 and 60 pounds per square inch (psi). If the water pressure is above that, it could cause water hammer noise. High water pressure will give you more than a loud banging noise to worry about as pressures higher than 100 psi can damage your appliances.

Tank Water Ripples

The float valve within your water tank is another common cause of water hammer noise. The float moves up and down as water flows into the tank, regularly opening and closing the valve. The wave system sends echoes through the pipes, hence the banging sound.

Blocked Air Chambers

If you experience water hammer noise suddenly without any prior history, you may have a blocked air chamber in your water system. Water and mineral residue are the leading causes of such blockages. The clog in the system will keep the chamber from absorbing pressure in your plumbing system, leading to the occasional bang you’ll hear while the system is in use.

Loosely Secured Pipes

A minor shockwave can trigger loud bangs if your pipes are not properly secured. You should securely fix your pipes to a stable surface every few meters. 

Inspect pipes in your cellar and basement during home improvement projects to find loose bolts, straps, or joists.

How to Fix Water Hammer Noise

Some of the common approaches to fixing water hammer noise include the following: 

Install Air Chambers

Water chambers are 12-inch capped pipes attached to the supply line to quieten water hammer noise. The pipes are filled with air, allowing them to act as shock absorbers for when water comes to a sudden stop. The air in the chamber acts as a cushion for water because air compresses while water doesn’t.

You need advanced plumbing skills to deploy this method of correcting water hammer noise. If you already have air chambers installed, you need to drain them occasionally to remove water and mineral residue.

Change the Solenoid Valves in Appliances

If you hear the banging noise only when using your dishwasher or washing machine, it’s a sign that the solenoid valve’s response time is too quick. In this scenario, the valve will shut off water abruptly, sending a shock wave to the pipes, leading to a loud bang. Swapping out the affected solenoid valve for one that responds a bit more slowly will solve the problem.

Install Water Hammer Arrestors

Water hammer arrestors are improvements to the air chamber concept. They feature a chamber filled with air or gas and sealed with a diaphragm or piston. The diaphragm acts as a barrier between the water and the air or gas. 

Plumbers install a water hammer arrestor within the intersection between the water supply tube/hose and a shutoff valve. 

Water Pressure Regulators

If high water pressure is the cause of the water hammer noise, you can correct the problem by installing a regulator. Install the water pressure regulator at the water supply mains to protect your wider plumbing architecture and your appliances against high water pressure.

A qualified plumber installing the regulator will first confirm that the water pressure is consistently higher than normal before proceeding with the installation. After the confirmation, they’ll adjust the regulator to a pressure below 50 psi.

Insulate Your Water Supply Pipes

Pipe insulation foam tubes fit around your water supply lines to keep them from freezing up in the winter. However, they also work well as a cushion for loose, banging pipes. The foam tubes are easy to install over water supply lines. They come pre-slit, so all you need to do is to open the tube up and fit it over the water supply line. 

Water Hammer Noise Solution in Winnipeg

If your water heater and dishwashers rattle and rumble while in use and you hear loud banging noise from your plumbing system, you need to call professionals to look at the situation. 

At King’s Services, we’re happy to help you solve your water hammer noise problem. 

We will analyze the situation and recommend the most effective solution. Learn more about water heater rattling and rumbling, or call us today at 204-815-5878 to book an inspection.