You might often hear a banging or thumping sound coming from your water pipes. This occurs when something brings the water travelling inside the pipe to a sudden halt. It might have a wide range of causes and is commonly known as a water hammer. You’d surely want to fix this issue as soon as it shows up. This blog will tell you how can you Use Water Hammer Arrestors to Get Rid of Banging Noises from Pipes.
Now, the problem might lie in any part of your plumbing system. Regardless, there are multiple ways you can deal with it. Installing and using a water hammer arrestor is one of the simplest ways to fix it. Doing that can provide you with a long-term solution to the issue.
The information given below should help you with installing and using a water hammer arrestor. Apart from that, we also have some additional information for you regarding this matter.
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What Causes Water Hammers in Pipes?
As mentioned before, this issue could show up due to various reasons. Regardless, you must consider reaching out to reliable plumbing services Dubai to get a long-lasting solution. Here are some of the most common causes of water hammers:
- You Turned Off the Water Supply Suddenly
Turning off the water supply suddenly causes a surge in pressure. As a result, you hear a banging or knocking sound when the water stops abruptly. You need not take any separate measures to fix the issue in this case. Simply make sure to turn off the water supply gently from the next time.
- High Pressure
The pressure of the water travelling in pipes should have a certain limit. If it exceeds that, you will probably face water hammers, among other issues. So, you must deal with this as soon as possible. Installing a pressure reducer might be enough to fix the problem in this case.
- The Washers are Defective
Washers play an important role in your plumbing system. They reduce the strain on your pipes by bringing down the water pressure. Now, they naturally face corrosion over time and become defective as a result. This often causes water hammers in your pipes. So, you must consider this as a cause behind the issue as well.
- Malfunctioning Water Hammer Arresters
Nowadays, most modern plumbing systems have water hammer arresters. These are meant to reduce the pressure in the pipes to avoid water hammers. But, like all other components, they are vulnerable to malfunctions, too. So, you might often need to replace them to fix water hammers.
How do Water Hammer Arresters Function?
As mentioned before, water hammer arrestors reduce water pressure in pipes. And, for that, they feature a waterproof air bladder and a spring. This simple mechanism absorbs the pressure of the water moving inside the pipe. Also, it’s used quite widely for both residential and commercial purposes.
You might want to install a water hammer arrestor, in case you don’t have one already. Also, you might need to replace the damaged one in some cases. Regardless, you must simply follow the method we’ve mentioned below for doing that.
How to Install a Water Hammer Arrestor?
Are you thinking of installing a water hammer arrestor? You can perform this task on your own within an hour. Moreover, in case you’re wondering, you don’t need any professional skills for it. Also, you won’t have to put up with any high costs for the installation either.
You need a pair of tongue-and-groove pliers or adjustable wrench, among other things, for this task. Most of the supplies you need are probably available at your home. Apart from that, you need to buy some water hammer arrestors as per the requirements. Then, proceed with the following steps to install them correctly:
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Locate Where the Issue Lies
Water hammers occur at a certain spot in your plumbing system. So, you must find out where the issue lies precisely. And, for that, you need to listen carefully to where the sound is coming from. Appliances like your washing machine, dishwasher, or the ice makers in your refrigerator can cause water hammers. After all, they have connections to water lines in your home.
Apart from that, the issue might also lie in some plumbing fixtures. So, make sure to locate where the problem lies. Usually, this is a simpler task than you might think. Once you’re done, proceed to the next step.
- Turn Off the Water Supply
Once you find where the issue lies, you need to empty all the water from the pipe. And, for that, you’d need to stop the water supply through it. If needed, you can simply turn off your home’s main water supply for this task. After that, make sure to drain all the water from the pipe. Running a tap on the ground floor would help you empty all the pipes. After draining all the water, you can proceed to fix the arrester to the water supply lines.
- Install the Arrestors on Both the Water Supply Lines
You have a hot and a cold water supply line in your plumbing system. So, you must install arrestors on both of them. If the issue is caused by an appliance, you need to access the plumbing fixture for it. In some cases, that would involve removing the access panel. Especially so in case the washing machine or dishwasher is the culprit.
In the case of washing machines
Are you trying to fit a water hammer arrestor for your washing machine? In that case, you can simply remove the hoses and screw the arrestors on them. Then, connect the other end of the arrester to the place where the supply lines were attached. Once you complete this step, you’re done with the installation, in the case of a washing machine. So, you can then turn on the water supply and make sure the issue is fixed.
- Installing Arrestors for Taps other than Washing Machines
Is a fixture other than the washing machine responsible for the water hammer? In that case, you’d have to cut the pipes to install the arrestor. And, for that, you need to arrange for a pipe cutter and soldering iron first, if they aren’t available. You also need to buy t-fittings for the pipes on which you’ll install the arrestor. So, make sure to get the ones with the right diameter.
Then, proceed with the following steps once you’ve arranged for the supplies-
- Mark the spots that want to cut off on the pipes with a pencil. Also, make sure this place is easily accessible but out of sight.
- Use the pipe cutter to cut off the marked area from both supply lines. Then, apply soldering flux to the areas where you cut them. You can also clean them with emery clothes to aid in the soldering process.
- Solder the t-fitting to the pipe. Also, don’t forget to wear safety goggles while performing this task. Once you’re done, screw the arrestor properly to the t-fitting.
- Repeat this process for both the supply pipes, and you’re done. You can then turn on the water supply and check for any further issues.
Hire a Professional Plumbing Service
Are you not feeling confident enough to install the arrestors all by yourself? That’s understandable as you probably don’t have any previous experience in performing this task. So, you must consider reaching out to a reliable and experienced professional in such a case.
