What Is a Water Hammer and How Do You Fix It?
Water hammer is the term plumbers use for the sudden “knock,” “bang,” or “thud” that sometimes occurs in a home’s plumbing system. The noise can be startling, but the bigger issue is what it can do over time: water hammer can contribute to loosened fittings, leaks, worn valves, and even pipe damage.
It usually happens when a tap, toilet fill valve, washing machine, dishwasher, or other device suddenly stops or reduces water flow. Even a short event can send pressure waves through pipes.
What causes water hammer?
Water hammer isn’t caused by air in the system (though air can make symptoms worse). The core problem is rapid change in water velocity. When flow stops quickly, the moving water is forced to decelerate almost instantly, creating a shockwave that travels through the plumbing like a pressure pulse.
This can be triggered by high water ... Read more »

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