How To Fix A Water Hammer Plumbing

Drain all water from all pipes by opening the lowest water faucet normally located in the front yard or the basement of a building.

How to fix a water hammer plumbing. Open the building s uppermost water faucet. It is usually at ground level in a straight line from your outdoor water meter. Let the low faucet drain until nothing comes out. Water hammer or also known as a hydraulic shock is a phenomenon that happens in your plumbing system. To fix this shut off your home s main water valve and open the taps at the lowest and highest points of the structure.

Now run the water. Close the faucets and turn the water main back on. When a faucet or valve is shut off quickly you. One of the simplest methods for fixing hydraulic shock or water hammer is installing an air chamber. It is a short segment of vertical pipe installed near the valves.

For a few minutes it will sputter because there s air in the lines but once the air gets out turn the water off. As the water drains out air will flow into the system through the uppermost faucet automatically adding air back into the air chambers. The loudest and most common plumbing noise problem in the home is the water hammer. Now reopen your main water valve and see if the affected appliance or tap no longer makes the thudding sound. This will drain out all the remaining water in your plumbing system allowing the air chambers to be refilled with air.

This creates an effect of air filled pipe that acts as a tampon for the next time when water changes direction suddenly. Shut off the main water valve open the highest faucet in your home and drain water from the lowest faucet usually in the. Usually the main water valve is located on a perimeter wall of your house inside. For a gate valve turn the wheel clockwise until you can t turn anymore. For a ball valve turn the lever 90 degrees clockwise.

It is true that water hammer can damage your plumbing system.