Ever shut off your washing machine or dishwasher and heard a huge bang echo through your home’s plumbing? Not only is that sudden sound annoying, but it’s a warning sign of a water hammer plumbing problem. Ignoring it could potentially cause damage to your appliances, valves, and pipes.
Water hammer is a common problem in many homes and is caused by sudden changes in water flow or pressure. This hydraulic shock creates a banging noise as water in your pipes stops or changes direction abruptly. If you’ve noticed banging pipes in your walls or a series of bangs whenever a faucet or toilet shuts off, it’s time to take action.
In this blog, we’ll cover everything homeowners need to know about how to stop water hammer. From identifying the causes to practical fixes, preventative measures, and professional solutions, we’ll guide you through understanding, preventing, and solving this common plumbing problem.
Contact us today through our form or call +1 (416) 252-5557 for expert plumbing, drain, and related services in Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and across the GTA.
What Is Water Hammer and Why Does It Happen
Water hammer, sometimes referred to as hydraulic shock, is the banging noise caused when water in your pipes suddenly stops or changes direction. Think of your water supply line like a stream of traffic: when a valve shuts abruptly, the moving water has nowhere to go, and the resulting shock resonates through your plumbing system.
Water hammer can occur in any part of your home where water flow is suddenly interrupted. Common triggers include:
- Washing machines or dishwashers shutting off quickly
- Toilets finishing a flush
- Faucets being closed rapidly
- Water heaters or hot and cold water valves abruptly shutting
When left unchecked, water hammer may not only produce a loud bang but also damage plumbing connections, loosen pipes, and, in extreme cases, cause ruptured pipes or leaks.
Common Causes of Water Hammer in Homes
Understanding the cause is the first step to stopping water hammer. Several factors contribute to the problem.
1. Excess Water Pressure
High water pressure in your home can amplify the force of moving water. If the pressure in your main water supply exceeds the recommended pounds per square inch (PSI), the resulting shock waves from suddenly closed valves can be dramatic.
2. Sudden Valve Closure
When you turn off a faucet, washing machine, or dishwasher, water flow stops abruptly. The sudden deceleration creates a shock wave, which your pipes absorb as a banging noise.
3. Loose Pipes
Unsecured or loosely fastened pipes can move when the water flow suddenly stops. Banging pipes resonate through studs, walls, and floors, creating a loud series of bangs.
4. Air Gaps or Empty Chambers
Some plumbing systems have vertical air chambers that absorb hydraulic shock. If these chambers are filled with water over time, they can’t function properly, leading to noisy water lines.
5. Ageing Plumbing Appliances
Water hammer can be caused by outdated water valves, float valves, or broken appliances like dishwashers that are unable to regulate the steady flow of water.
Identifying Water Hammer in Your Home
Knowing how to recognize water hammer is crucial for homeowners. Here are the signs:
- Loud banging or hammering sounds in your pipes
- Pipes that vibrate or move when a fixture shuts off
- Visible water leaks around valves or connections
- Repeating noise patterns when using appliances like washing machines or dishwashers
- Sudden water hammer after a new appliance installation
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to assess your water system and consider solutions.
How to Stop Water Hammer: DIY Fixes for Homeowners
Not every water hammer problem calls for a plumber right away. If you know a little bit about plumbing, you can safely attempt some simple fixes.
1. Tighten Loose Pipes
Banging pipes are frequently caused by loose pipes. Examine any visible water lines in your crawl area, utility room, or basement. To fasten the pipes to walls, joists, or studs, use clamps or pipe straps. Make sure there’s space for the water to expand, but the pipes aren’t allowed to hit the surrounding structure.
2. Install Pipe Insulation
Wrapping pipes with foam insulation or rubber padding can reduce noise from water hammer. This solution doesn’t stop the shock wave itself but dampens the vibration and banging noise.
3. Reduce Water Pressure
Use a gauge to check the water pressure in your house. Residential water pressure should ideally range from 40-60 PSI. In addition, installing a pressure-reducing valve on your main water line will stop water hammer and safeguard your plumbing system if your pressure is too high.
4. Drain Remaining Water from Air Chambers
If your system already contains vertical air chambers, they can be water-filled and therefore useless. To put them back:
- Shut off the main water supply
- Open all faucets to drain water from the lines
- Close faucets and turn the water supply back on
This allows air to refill the chambers and absorb hydraulic shock.
5. Install an Air Chamber Near Problem Valves
A plumber can create a tiny vertical pipe next to water hammer-prone valves for a better long-term fix without the need for mechanical equipment. When the water abruptly stops, these vertical pipes cushion the stress by acting as air chambers. Remember that these pipes can eventually fill with water and need to be drained.
Contact us today through our form or call +1 (416) 252-5557 for expert plumbing, drain, and related services in Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and across the GTA.
Installing Water Hammer Arrestors: The Professional Solution
For homeowners looking for a more reliable and long-lasting fix, installing a water hammer arrestor is the gold standard.
What Is a Water Hammer Arrestor?
A device that cushions the impact of flowing water in your pipes is called a water hammer arrestor. It contains a mixture of springs and air bladders, which act as a cushion to absorb hydraulic shock.
Benefits of Installing a Water Hammer Arrestor
- Stops loud bangs and hammering sounds permanently
- Protects pipes, fixtures, and appliances from damage
- Requires minimal maintenance compared to vertical air chambers
- Can be installed on washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, and faucets
Where to Install
- Directly on the problem valves in your plumbing system
- Near appliances like new washing machines or dishwashers
- On the main water supply lines, if you have persistent water hammer
A certified Toronto plumber from Absolute Draining & Plumbing can assess your home’s water system and install water hammer arrestors professionally, ensuring the device functions correctly.
Advanced Plumbing Solutions for Persistent Water Hammer
Some water hammer problems are more complex and may require professional intervention.
1. Pressure-Reducing Valves (PRVs)
Installing a pressure-reducing valve can lessen the pressure throughout your plumbing system if high water pressure is the source of your water hammer. This simple addition can prevent water hammer from recurring while protecting fixtures and water lines.
2. Circulator Pumps
A Grundfos UPS circulator pump can help maintain steady water flow in older homes or systems with irregular water flow. By controlling the water flow and enabling trapped air to escape via a bleed mechanism, these pumps lessen the possibility of hydraulic shock.
3. Comprehensive Pipe Inspection
In some cases, water hammer may be caused by ageing copper pipes or hidden loose sections. A professional plumber can inspect your visible and hidden pipes to ensure proper fastening, replace worn-out valves, and prevent ruptured pipes in the future.
Preventing Water Hammer in the Future
After your water hammer issue has been fixed, use these suggestions to keep it from happening again.
- Regularly inspect pipes for loose sections or vibrations
- Fasten visible water lines using pipe straps
- Maintain pressure-reducing valves to keep water pressure within safe limits
- Install water hammer arrestors near appliances prone to causing hydraulic shock
- Avoid abruptly shutting off faucets or valves where possible
- Flush air chambers periodically if your system still relies on vertical pipes
The Risks of Ignoring Water Hammer
While a loud bang may seem harmless, water hammer can have significant consequences:
- Loose pipe fittings and plumbing connections may loosen further
- Appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters can wear out prematurely
- Ruptured pipes or small leaks can lead to costly water damage
- Noise pollution can create stress and disturbance in your home
Taking the time to stop water hammer not only protects your plumbing system but also prevents unnecessary repair costs down the line.
Why You Should Hire a Professional Plumber
While some minor fixes are DIY-friendly, many solutions require professional skills. A licensed Toronto plumber can:
- Diagnose the exact cause of water hammer
- Install mechanical water hammer arrestors correctly
- Fabricate and install air chambers near problem valves
- Adjust water pressure safely and efficiently
- Ensure that pipes are properly secured and insulated
- Offer a flat-rate estimate for repairs with no surprises
At Absolute Draining & Plumbing, our team has over 20 years of experience handling water hammer issues across Toronto homes. We provide emergency service, professional installation, and guidance to protect your plumbing system.
Protect Your Plumbing from Water Hammer
Water hammer may start as a simple loud bang in your pipes, but over time, it can cause real damage to your plumbing system, appliances, and home. Whether it’s a loose pipe, excess water pressure, or an ageing appliance, addressing the root cause is key to stopping water hammer.
From tightening loose pipes and installing air chambers to pressure-reducing valves and mechanical water hammer arrestors, there are practical solutions to protect your plumbing system.
If you’re experiencing banging pipes, loud noises, or hydraulic shock in your home, don’t wait. Call a professional Toronto plumber to inspect, diagnose, and fix the issue. Make sure your plumbing system keeps functioning properly, shield your pipes, and cut down on loud water.
At Absolute Draining & Plumbing, we’re here to stop the water hammer for good, protect your home, and give you peace of mind with reliable, professional plumbing services. Contact us today for a free estimate and let our experts safeguard your plumbing.
Contact us today through our form or call +1 (416) 252-5557 for expert plumbing, drain, and related services in Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and across the GTA.
