Tricks, tips, tutorials, pictures and words

Water Hammer & Plumbing Pipe Noises

Plumbing can make many weird noises which can have many causes and; sometimes, they're not easy to isolate and fix. I've tried to collect common causes given on alt.home.repair. A Single Bang, Knock, Clunk or Clang Such sounds are usually caused by a phenomenon called 'water hammer.' Water hammer doesn't accompany flowing water, so if your sound occurs while water is running, it isn't water hammer. Water hammer happens when you turn OFF a water flow suddenly (like a dishwasher, a clothes washer, a toilet or even closing a hand faucet suddenly. Shutting off the flow suddenly sends a pressure or shock wave down the water line through the water shocking the pipes and creating the 'hammer' noise. These shock waves travel faster than the speed of sound and can exert very great instantaneous pressures. Over time, water hammer can damage pipes, valves and eventually weaken pipe joints.
Water Hammer & Plumbing Pipe Noises


water, energy