Dan Site Admin
Joined: 30 Jun 2002 Posts: 125 Location: UK
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Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 10:14 pm Post subject: Banging Noises |
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Question:
| Quote: | | What causes the pipes to make a banging noise when the water is shut off? |
Answer:
| Quote: | The noise, called water hammer, comes from the shock caused when water slams against a valve that has been closed abruptly. The force can also cause the pipe to vibrate and knock against the house's framing, creating more noise. Water hammer often happens when a clothes washer is operating, because the washer starts and stops the water flow suddenly.
An air chamber or a water hammer shock absorber can be installed near the offending valve to cushion the shock and prevent vibration. Air chambers can fill with water over time and lose their effectiveness, however. Allowing air back in requires draining the plumbing system.
If you can pinpoint where a pipe is hitting a framing member, you can also slip a piece of foam insulation around the pipe to cushion it. |
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