One of the most well known plumbing noises is water hammer. It sounds like a hammer hitting pipes because water going through the pipe hits a bend in the pipe causing a shockwave. Water hammer is often caused by quick-closing valves, like those on washing machines and dishwashers, but the sudden shutting-off of water flow to toilets or by faucets can cause it as well. Whatever the culprit, the result is the same -a loud bang or banging sound. This impact can create pressure, and over time these repeated impacts and the pressure they cause can damage pipes and valves, weakening them and pipe joints.
A solution to the water hammer problem, in more modern homes, is to install devices called air chambers. The chambers or cushions are filled with air, they absorb the shockwaves. The problem is that over time these devices often become partly or completely filled with water. This happens because the air, over time, is absorbed by the water, and water takes the lost air's place.
The damage water hammer causes can lead to a pipe breaking or bursting, which can lead to property damage or even injury. A professional evaluation is recommended, both to determine the extent of the problem and to get an estimate of what repairs or replacement will cost.
Even though water hammer generally isn't very threatening, it has caused accidents and fatalities. Usually the most damage done is the breaking or busting of a pipe from the inside. It's important to have a professional evaluate your problem and see how extensive the problem is and what it will take to repair it.
If a home doesn't have air chambers built into its plumbing system, reducing the overall water pressure might be a solution. This can be done by installing pressure-reducing valves in the water supply lines. But this might not work because the water pressure might be too low for second and third floor faucets and toilets to work properly. Another solution is to install air chambers, may current models have built-in valves for letting their air refill.
If the home's plumbing system doesn't have air chambers built into it, reducing the water pressure may be a solution, this could be accomplished with the installation of valves that reduce the pressure of the lines coming into the house. But this might not work if it leads to such low pressure that faucets and valves on upper-floors only have a trickle of water coming out of them. If pressure reduction doesn't work, it may be necessary to install air chambers into the current plumbing system. Many of the chamber devices currently on the market have a built-in valve for letting air refill. - 15246
A solution to the water hammer problem, in more modern homes, is to install devices called air chambers. The chambers or cushions are filled with air, they absorb the shockwaves. The problem is that over time these devices often become partly or completely filled with water. This happens because the air, over time, is absorbed by the water, and water takes the lost air's place.
The damage water hammer causes can lead to a pipe breaking or bursting, which can lead to property damage or even injury. A professional evaluation is recommended, both to determine the extent of the problem and to get an estimate of what repairs or replacement will cost.
Even though water hammer generally isn't very threatening, it has caused accidents and fatalities. Usually the most damage done is the breaking or busting of a pipe from the inside. It's important to have a professional evaluate your problem and see how extensive the problem is and what it will take to repair it.
If a home doesn't have air chambers built into its plumbing system, reducing the overall water pressure might be a solution. This can be done by installing pressure-reducing valves in the water supply lines. But this might not work because the water pressure might be too low for second and third floor faucets and toilets to work properly. Another solution is to install air chambers, may current models have built-in valves for letting their air refill.
If the home's plumbing system doesn't have air chambers built into it, reducing the water pressure may be a solution, this could be accomplished with the installation of valves that reduce the pressure of the lines coming into the house. But this might not work if it leads to such low pressure that faucets and valves on upper-floors only have a trickle of water coming out of them. If pressure reduction doesn't work, it may be necessary to install air chambers into the current plumbing system. Many of the chamber devices currently on the market have a built-in valve for letting air refill. - 15246
About the Author:
Brain LeMaire has served as President of CuraFlo since September 2006, before that he has worked in the pipe repair and pipe restoration industry in Vancouver, Canada as General Manager of West Coast Pipe Restoration. He just updated the Page on low water pressure
