Ask Jon Eakes

Last Updated: Friday, September 15th, 2000, Created: Friday, September 15th, 2000

Plumbing noises and Water Hammer

Scott in Grand Falls, NF has a loud banging noise in his pipes every time he shuts off a faucet.

In some plumbing systems when a faucet or an automatic valve like in a washing machine stops the water too fast, it tries to keep going and you get a banging sound throughout the house. The pipes are actually moving and banging into something. This problem is called Water Hammer and it can be solved by putting a special air chamber just before the offending valve. This gives the water somewhere to go because air is compressible.

The photo shows three versions of water hammer arrestors. Two are manufactured, but the first one is simply an 18 inch high pipe capped off on the top to trap the air. It works.

Keywords: Mystery, Noise, Plumbing, Sink

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