If you hear a loud thud or bang in the walls when a faucet closes or the washing machine stops filling, you're hearing water hammer. It's more than an annoyance; over time it can loosen fittings and damage valves.
What causes it
Water moving through a pipe has momentum. When a valve closes quickly, especially the fast-acting solenoid valves in washing machines, dishwashers and ice makers, that moving water slams to a stop, sending a pressure shock through the pipe.
Contributing factors
- High water pressure. Pressure above what fixtures are designed for makes hammer worse.
- Loose pipes. Pipes that aren't well secured bang against framing.
- Missing or failed arrestors. Older homes may have air chambers that filled with water long ago and no longer cushion the shock.
How to fix it
- Install water hammer arrestors at the washing machine, dishwasher or problem fixture. These small devices absorb the shock.
- Check and adjust water pressure. A pressure-reducing valve can bring excessive pressure down.
- Secure loose pipes with proper straps where they're accessible.
- Recharge old air chambers by draining the system, though arrestors are usually the lasting solution.
Other noises
Not every pipe noise is water hammer. Whistling can mean a partially closed valve or worn fixture; gurgling usually points to a drain or vent issue; rumbling from the water heater is sediment. A plumber can pinpoint the source with a quick visit.
Need help?
Our pipe repair & repiping team serves Davie and all of Broward County. Call (954) 870-5492.