Water Hammer

To tell you what I assumed of the term 'water hammer', I thought it refers to some technique which used water in the form of a hammer. I know that's one bizarre thing to assume. But now I know that this term is used to refer to a noise that is produced in water pipes, when the water flow is turned off suddenly. The noise is somewhat similar to the one that is produced when something is hit by a hammer, thus the name 'water hammer'. It is also known as fluid hammer.

What Causes Fluid Hammer?

As mentioned, refers to the sound that occurs in the form of loud banging or knocking noise, as if the pipes are being hit by a hammer. The movement of water in the pipes is driven by some amount of kinetic energy, or let's say momentum. Now if this flow is made to stop with a sudden force, or change direction with immediate effect, then a pressure surge or wave is created which causes the hammering noise and vibration in the pipes. The faster the water flows through a pipe, the more intense is the water hammer that is produced. This hammering noise is not a normal occurrence and it is not heard when water is flowing. Only when the water is turned off you would get to hear the hammering noise.

How to Fix It?

It is most likely that you ignore all such noises in the water pipes. This is because, very few are aware of the fact that sometimes the pressure surge or the shock wave can exert a pressure that may exceed 1000 psi, which is strong enough to potentially damage the water system. Constant events of water hammer weaken the joints and valves, which eventually may lead to leaky pipes or probably a water disaster. Minor problems easily go unnoticed, and over time it might result in structural damage and mold growth. So in order to avoid all such occurrences, experts recommend the use of pressure reducing valves. These instruments come with adjustable screws which help to adjust the pressure of the water system.

It is also important to determine the factors which contribute to water hammer, if you want to fix the problem. If the piping is of an improper size, when it comes to the velocity of the water flow, it worsens the problem. Some houses do not have the pressure-reducing valve, which also aggravates the problem. Other factors include the absence of dampening system, long straight runs without any bends, and poor strapping of the pipes to structure. So avoiding all such faults in the water system would help you prevent the occurrence of fluid hammer.

Water hammer is not unlikely, especially for houses where the water system uses fast flowing water. Although you can give a try yourself to fix the problem, but plumbing work is not as easy as it may seem. So unless you have some experience in this area of work, it is wise not to take the matter in your hands, but seek the help of a professional. It may be a bit pricey to take all such measures but it would be way less than what you may have to incur for fixing a water disaster.