As a homeowner, you’ve probably already struggled with some house maintenance issues that needed to be dealt with right away. One of the more frequent issues has to do with plumbing and it’s called water hammer. This refers to a loud banging sound you can hear from your pipe system and this typically occurs when a faucet is shut abruptly or the water flow simply comes to a sudden halt. This is not only unpleasant to hear, but can also ultimately cause the pipes to break. So what can you do to stop this from happening?

1. Reduce Water Pressure

Since this problem is mostly caused by high water pressure, the first thing you need to look into are ways in which you can reduce this pressure that causes water hammer. The simplest way to do this is to install specially-designed valves that are meant to regulate the water flow. The best way to do this is to install such a valve in the supply line of the house. Such a device will also protect your toilets, washing machines and other appliances that run on high-water pressure. After you install this water-pressure regulator, make sure you adjust it to somewhere between 30 and 55 psi. However it’s best to always consult a professional, since the consequences of improper installment can be really costly in the long run.

2. Make Sure to Install an Air Chamber

If you have a relatively new plumbing system, you can rest assured it also comes with readily installed air chambers. These are vertical segments installed near the valves responsible with the water hammer and they act as an extra air-filled space allowing for water to rebound. These air chambers can sometimes become waterlogged, so it’s a good time to call in a plumber and investigate them. Having said this, the only drawback that air chambers have is that they tend to fill up with water pretty quickly and need to be periodically drained.

3. See If There Are Any Loose Pipes

Loose pipes can also be the culprit of your water hammer conundrum, so start by checking the pipes that are uncovered and in plain sight - in the attic, basement or your basic utility rooms. If the water hammer you experience is not that severe, you can just insulate damaged water pipes with foam and fix this issue right away. However if the damage is more serious, you may need to replace the pipes immediately in order to avoid more complicated situations down the road. Just make sure to not mix metals, since an unadvised combination can lead to corrosion and more damage in the future.

4. Consider Installing Mechanical Water Shock Arrestors

These mechanical water shock arrestors are units that are usually chosen in favor of air chambers, especially in commercial buildings or where there are high-pressure water applications. The mechanism that drives them is comprised of a spring and an air bladder that absorbs the water movement, thus also smoothing over water hammer. Once their life cycle ends, you will need to replace them, as they can’t simply be recharged the same way air chambers can be. Mechanical water shock arrestors can be easily bought and installed, since they have screw-on fittings and a standardized sizing method.

Problems like water hammer are quite commonplace for homeowners everywhere, so make sure the next time you hear that banging sound in your pipe system you take into consideration implementing one of these suggestions above. These same methods can also be applied to a variety of other plumbing issues, such as sweating, leaking or frozen pipes. 

What you need to remember is that when it comes to plumbing, it’s best to prevent issues from the get-go than deal with them when they’ve already become daunting tasks. Ultimately, depending on the severity it comes with, water hammer can start off as a nuisance and therefore you may feel like ignoring it, but it can also escalate pretty quickly into a process that will slowly, but surely damage your entire plumbing system. Don’t hesitate to act on it yourself and troubleshoot what you can or simply call a professional that can easily take care of it, relieving you of the stress and bother associated with the endeavour.

Author Bio: Tanya is a mom of two boys and a writer. She loves spending time with her husband and kids.

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