It’s no secret that the average house occasionally makes a few noises. For the most part, this is normal and shouldn’t be a cause for concern. However, if you’ve started noticing unusual noises that seem to be getting louder every time you open a tap, you may be dealing with more than just settling pipes.
Hearing these noises may lead you to call the emergency plumber Sydney residents turn to for all types of plumbing emergencies. Fortunately, if detected early enough, this issue, commonly referred to as water hammer, can be easily resolved. What is water hammer, and what are the risks of ignoring it? Keep reading as we explore this common phenomenon.
What is Water Hammer?
Plumbing pipes have traditionally been designed to enable water to pass through uninterrupted. You’ll know this is happening when you hear that all too familiar whooshing sound associated with flowing water. This sound is a clear indicator that the water is flowing freely and properly.
Sometimes, though, the water can get shut off too quickly. When this happens, the associated pressure creates a loud banging and thumping sound in the pipes. Depending on the severity, these noises may also be accompanied by vibrations. These banging and thumping noises are commonly referred to as water hammer or noisy pipes.
Understanding the Various Risks Associated With Water Hammer
When it comes to assessing the risks associated with water hammer, you may think that if you can live with the noise, there probably isn’t much to be concerned about. However, not dealing with he issue can lead to significant issues down the line.
Plumbing pipes feature air chambers that have been designed to absorb the initial shockwave that happens when there’s a sudden interruption of water flow. When this set-up works correctly, the various chambers and valves can easily reduce the severity and pressure impact of the sudden water switch-off.
However, as the pipes age, some of the air chambers can become waterlogged. When this happens, the pipes are left to absorb the full brunt of the shaking and vibrations. Over time, this leads to structural damage.
When the air chambers aren’t working correctly, quick changes in the water pressure can cause pipes to weaken and eventually break. In addition to leading to severe damage in your plumbing infrastructure, repairs and replacements can be expensive.
Eliminate the Air Pockets
The number one cause of water hammer is air pockets forming when the regular flow of water is interrupted. You’ll know this is happening by the familiar banging sound. When this happens, our plumbers suggest trying the following:
- Turn on the tap closest to the property’s water meter
- After a few seconds, start opening the rest of the taps in your home one by one until they’re all flowing freely.
- Don’t open them wide, just enough to get water flowing.
- You can gather up the water in buckets to reduce waste.
- After a few minutes, start turning the taps off in reverse order.
If doing this doesn’t release all the air pockets out of the pipe chambers, it may be an indication that the plumbing system has damaged components. You will need to contact your local plumber as soon as possible.
Consider Installing Different Taps
Many homeowners first start noticing the appearance of water hammer shortly after they installed new tapware. In this instance, the tapware could be causing the problem. This happens when modern mixer taps are designed to work with a single on and off flick, rather than a slower turn.
If the taps are causing the water hammer, it’s recommended that you replace the taps with soft-close variations. The design of soft-close taps allows water to be shut off at a slower rate, which causes the water pressure to shut down at a slower rate rather than an instant shut-off. Fortunately, energy-saving taps are available in soft-close and mixer options.
Speak to Your Plumber About Installing Water Hammer Arrestors
The water hammer issue in your home can be aggravated when you have several appliances connected to the same set of taps. This happens because the constant switching on and off at sudden intervals can encourage the onset of water hammer.
A top recommendation here is to install hammer arrestors at the closest cold water outlet. This can easily be done as quickly as a DIY job if you know how. If you want to avoid further issues down the line, you can ask your plumber to assist with the installation. They will assess the pipes and the rest of the plumbing system to determine whether this approach is the right one for your specific issue.
Final Thoughts
If you’re living in an older home, you may already be dealing with some form of water hammer. It’s a good idea to have your local plumber assess your plumbing infrastructure, pipes, and components to establish if there’s risk for damage down the line. Doing this will also give you peace of mind that there isn’t a more serious problem brewing in your plumbing system!