Water Hammer and Your Home

What is Water Hammer?

Water hammer is the term given to a particular noise that occurs within a plumbing system. When abrupt changes occur to the flow of the water supply on a property, the shock wave is what you're hearing. The sudden changes in the flow of the direction of the water may stop but the water pressure continues, resulting in water hammer. 



Water hammer problems can affect your hot water heater, washing machine, gas line, plumbing appliances and your plumbing service in general. While hearing water hammer isn't an emergency plumbing situation, leaving the water hammer issue could result in an emergency when the symptoms evolve and the pressure becomes too great. Water hammer, dangerous situations might occur. You could be at risk of dealing with burst pipes, reduced lifespan of your plumbing appliances and placing more stress on your plumbing system than is needed.

In our experience water hammer is the most common complaint in strata living but all residential and commercial properties are at risk of water hammering. If you have pipes for either gas or water, you might have water hammer. Sometimes the hammering can be silent.

Our Sydney plumbers are experts at stopping that banging and reducing your risk of dealing with a serious emergency plumbing situation.

Causes of Water Hammer - Sydney

There are a number of potential causes to water hammer within your house. Our licensed plumber will be able to determine if one of these listed is the cause. Being able to investigate is a crucial part of pinpointing the water hammer to not only stop the symptoms but the problem as well.



Water Hammer and Your Hot Water System in Sydney

Due to water being a good conductor of sound, worn control valves can cause a tapping sound to transmit throughout the building due to the contact of brass on brass. Once again it can be very difficult to locate the offending valve.

Solutions for Reducing Water Hammer

• Reduce your water supply pressure to the building by installing a pressure limiting valve. The pressure limiting valve will help to control the pressure found within your home. The Australian standard is 500 kPa. To read more about pressure limiting valve.

• Install water hammer arrestors to reduce the shock waves throughout the pipework where a solenoid valve is in place. The air chambers found within the arrestors create a safe space in your plumbing for the shock wave to reduce. You'll be taking care of your pipes and your plumbing appliances.

• Ensure pipework is securely fixed within cavities and ducts. Plumbing installation is important. Doing it correctly, even more so. Our Sydney plumber can investigate if you're concerned your plumbing pipes aren't secured properly.

• Insulated and/or preferred pipe material can be used that has been manufactured to reduce water noise through a pipe.

• Replace any old plumbing valves. Not only are they susceptible to leaking but they are likely to burst under pressure.

By acting fast when you hear that loud and consistent banging noise on your property is ideal. Our local plumber is ready to service any loose pipes, a blocked drain or leaking taps. It might be as simple as installing a water hammer arrestor with an air chamber, bypassing emergency services.

Call our professional plumbers to discuss booking a water hammer job today.