How To Fix Water Hammer Problems

Closing the valve suddenly can cause shock waves from the water flow to slam into the valve and bounce in all directions.

How to fix water hammer problems. What causes water hammer. Then turn on a sink or valve on the lowest floor of your home either the basement or the ground floor. Now reopen your main water valve and see if the affected appliance or tap no longer makes the thudding sound. Shut off the main water valve open the highest faucet in your home and drain water from the lowest faucet usually in the. The arrestor is a sealed system.

You may think you will need a plumber for this task. In this case installing a water pressure regulator can solve water hammer issues. Open the highest faucet and drain water from the lowest faucet in your home. For plumbing systems without air chambers installing them may be the best fix for a water hammer situation. Very high pressure above 100 psi can also damage appliances.

To fix the issue homeowners need to drain their plumbing system. One of the simplest methods for fixing hydraulic shock or water hammer is installing an air chamber. Open a faucet on the top floor of your home. Alternatively you can install water hammer arrestors in such places. It is a short segment of vertical pipe installed near the valves.

Normal water pressure runs between 40 and 60 psi pounds per square inch and above this the high pressure could be the source of water hammer. This creates an effect of air filled pipe that acts as a tampon for the next time when water changes direction suddenly. Turn off the water to your house at the main water valve. When flowing freely water moves with force. When a water valve is open a solid flow of water goes from its source at the main to the faucet.

Water hammers happen when a valve is shut abruptly. Note that this fix is only temporary and if it does work it means your water hammer arrestor is broken.