Water Hammer - Plumbing Forum

DennisF · 07-18-2010, 03:48 PM

Good day,

Been having problems with water hammer here for a while now. I did discover today after trying a number of things to remedy the problem. I turned the cold water feed to the water heater off and the banging stops.

Can someone here give me a tip on how to stop the banging when the water is turned back on?

Thanks,
Dennis

**Otahyoni** · 07-18-2010, 04:12 PM

I've heard that sometimes the hammer chambers (if you have them) can become waterlogged over time. Something you can try, won't cost you a thing, is the shut of your water and open the lowest faucets to drain what water you can out, then close the faucets and turn the water back on.

If that doesn't work, you may need to install some type of expansion tank in the line.

Someone that knows more than i do will be along later to help you.

Welcome to the forum!

**havasu** · 07-18-2010, 04:14 PM

Your local "big box" hardware stores have small add-on water hammer arrestors that are relatively cheap. You might give it a shot. I've also heard that if you bleed your water lines to allow small pockets of air within some of your pipes, the noises may go away. Keep in mind that many confuse water hammer sounds with poorly mounted pipes, which have similar sounds during expansion and contraction.

DennisF · 07-18-2010, 04:20 PM

Thanks for the quick reply.

I have tried draining the lines, it didn't work.
Thought of the loose pipes, I don't think that's it we've been in here since house was built 20 yrs watched the construction pretty closely. One thing though this problem started shortly after we had water heater replaced.

Dennis

**Mr_David** · 07-20-2010, 12:05 AM

It's Hammer time!!!
When does the hammer occur and does is seem to be coming from the water heater or when you open or close any particular faucet. single bang or a rat-tat-tat-tat or a grumblinig noise.

DennisF · 07-20-2010, 01:15 AM

not sure if I can say it comes from the water heater or not. It occurs mostly when using the garden hoses in the yard and the one in the garage.
It is a single loud bang each time the water is started and stopped by depressing the hose wand. Occasionally it happens when the washing machine is in the rinse cycle. We have lived in this house since new and never had this problem until we had the water heater replaced. I did discover if I shut the cold water valve that supplies the water heater the banging stops when using the garden hoses.

Dennis

**Mr_David** · 07-20-2010, 01:34 AM

Interesting. Can you post a picture of your water heater? preferrably the water supplies and valve.
Sometimes when you actually see the problem it's a AH-HA!!
If you do solve it eventually please let us know.

DennisF · 07-20-2010, 09:26 AM

I'll take some shots when I get home from work later today

Dennis

**havasu** · 07-20-2010, 05:22 PM

Both the quick shut off of the garden hose and the washing machine leads be to believe it is water hammer. Go to your local "big box" store and purchase a set of water hammer arrestors, designed to be placed inline with your washing machine supply lines. It will set you back about $15, and installs in less than 5 minutes.

DennisF · 07-20-2010, 08:47 PM

here are the photos in the bottom picture the pipe to the left of the duct work is the feed to the water heater, its taken off the 1" main with a reducer to 1/2"

I did get an arrestor and put it on the cold water feed to the washing machine. So far it has made no difference.

DennisF