The home is awash with noises: children playing, a tv playing in the living room with family members, and laundry spinning within the drying machine. One area that you wouldn't anticipate an ominous roar is the plumbing. What happens when you hear an abrupt banging sound coming out of your plumbing? It could be known as the water hammer. In this article, we'll go over the meaning behind it and the causes, and the best way to fix it.

What are water hammers?

A water hammer is technically called hydraulic shock; it is when pressurized water slams against the walls of pipes or a valve shutting (when you shut off the faucet for instance). It's a typical plumbing issue; however, it's not something to be overlooked. Apart from being annoying water hammers can cause an extra strain on your plumbing. This could eventually lead to an issue with a leak.

What is the cause of a water hammer?

There are many reasons that could lead to noise in your pipes at home. It is essential to determine the root of your problem so that you can determine the best way of addressing the issue.

Air chambers are filled with water.

Air chambers are vertical pipes that are part of the plumbing systems. They are created to control pressure and allow water to flow effortlessly. If there's too much water in the air chambers, they're not able to perform their task.

The good news is that you could reset these air chambers by closing the main shut-off valve for water and turning on all water faucets in your home (including the outdoor hose and bibbs) and then draining all the water from the plumbing.

Variations in the pressure of your appliance.

In the event that the water hammer only occurs when you're operating a washing machine, dishwasher, or sprinkler system, the fluctuation in water pressure caused by the appliance may be the reason. Installation of a water hammer breaker on the appliance is a good way to be able to solve the issue.

High-pressure water.

It is more likely that you will experience water hammers when your home's water pressure is excessively high. One way to determine this is to buy an instrument for measuring water pressure at a local home improvement store.

Before you run the test, make sure you close the faucets and shut off all appliances that require water. Connect the gauge to your hose the bibb (outdoor faucet) and then slowly open the valve until it is fully opened. The gauge will display the reading. If the gauge says that your pressure exceeds 80 psi, it means that your water pressure is high and you'll need to install an air pressure regulator.

Pipes that are unsecured.

If the pipes are not secured to the structure of the home, the water pressure could cause them to shake. In most cases, it is possible to determine which pipes are loose and creating the noise, then fix them using support pipes as well as a plumber's tap.

There are other reasons for water hammers but these are the most prevalent. If your pipes are noisy, call us today!