How to stop Water Hammer
If your pipes are making banging or thumping noises, you might be dealing with a problem known as Water Hammer. Read on to learn about the potential damage it can cause and how to resolve it.
What is Water Hammer?
Water Hammer describes the noises and pressure surges that occur when water moves through a plumbing system. This phenomenon happens when flowing water is suddenly halted.
When a valve or tap is closed, the water abruptly stops, causing its momentum to convert into a pressure increase within the pipe, as water can't be compressed. This pressure wave creates the characteristic banging noise.
You can watch this short video on the Sioux Chief YouTube channel for a demonstration of this cycle of water hammer.
Can Water Hammer cause damage?
Beyond the nuisance of thumps, bangs, and crashes in your pipes, water hammer can indeed cause significant damage.
- Valves: The pressure from shock waves caused by uncontrolled water hammer can pop, loosen, or even crack valves within the system. This includes Safety Relief Valves and Pressure Reducing Valves, which can compromise the safety of your plumbing.
- Water heaters: While not the primary cause of tank failure, repetitive shock waves and pressure can shorten the lifespan of your water heater and worsen any existing issues.
- Fittings and joints: Welded fittings and joints are susceptible to damage from water hammer. Internal pressure can exceed the system’s rating, and pipe movement can exert external pressure on various parts of the system.
- Hangers and brackets: Water hammer-induced pipe movement is a major cause of loose pipe hangers and failed supports, which can lead to additional noises, such as rattling pipes, on top of the water hammer sounds.
How can you control Water Hammer?
To prevent the annoyance and potential damage caused by water hammer, a straightforward solution is available. The most effective method is to install a Water Hammer Arrestor.
Arrestors utilise a compressible cushion of air or gas, which is kept separate from the water. When a valve closes, the moving column of water enters the arrestor and compresses the gas or air, reducing the water’s momentum and preventing water hammer.
Unlike simple air chambers or capped pipes, arrestors do not become waterlogged over time. The permanent separation of gas or air from the water ensures that it does not get absorbed, a common issue that can render air chambers and capped pipes ineffective.
Sioux Chief Water Hammer Arrestors
Thomas Dudley offers a variety of Sioux Chief Water Hammer Arrestors, all guaranteed to control water hammer for the lifetime of your plumbing system.
- Lifetime guarantee
- Ultimate protection against water hammer damage
- Versatile installation: Can be installed at any angle
- Easy to install
View our hammer arrestors page for more information.
