How to Stop Water Hammer? 7 Simple Solutions that Really Work!

When you use your taps, to fill up a glass, do the dishes or put a load of washing on, all you expect is water. Not the frustrating and loud sound of hammering pipes. We have all heard it before and it’s most common when either you or an appliance like your washing machine abruptly shuts off the supply of water. What you are hearing is the effect of a shock wave triggered by water suddenly stopping or changing direction in your pipes.

Now onto the really important information like how to stop water hammer from waking up the kids at night and and shaking your pipes and plumbing joints

How to stop water hammer in 7 simple ways

DONT IGNORE WATER HAMMER! You may get away with those pipes noisily banging for days, weeks and even years. But eventually, all of this could lead to more serious problems including damaged plumbing, loosened joints, leaking taps or serious water damage from a burst water pipe. Creating a plumbing emergency.

The affordable Sydney plumbing team at Affordable Plumbing Solutions has listed down these 7 simple solutions on how to stop water hammer and avoid a plumbing nightmare.

1. Is it really water pipe hammer?

With a bit of luck, the water hammer you’re hearing isn’t really water hammer. It could just be a build-up of air pockets in your pipes and luckily there’s a quick water hammer fix for this problem.

Start at the tap closest to your water meter, and turn it on. Move on to the next-nearest tap and turn that on too. Repeat the process until every single tap in your house is flowing. Turning them all back off in reverse order could get rid of the problem.

2. Close the valves halfway

When it comes to water hammer solutions, this is a temporary fix but it will at least give your pipes a break before the plumbers can see to them properly. If most of the water pipe hammer occurs when your washing machine or other appliances are in use, try turning your taps to the half way point rather than full flow. Another idea is to replace the connection hoses on your appliances for wider ones.

3. Grab a water hammer arrestor

Try a hardware store nearby and buy a water hammer arrestor, which can almost magically stop water hammer in pipes by compressing the air and stopping pressure build up.

4. Secure the pipe

If you know exactly which pipe is doing all the noisy hammering, you can ease the impact of the hydraulic shock by firmly securing the pipe to something solid, if accessible.

5. Use a pressure-limiting valve

As well as water hammer arrestors, there is something else that can really do the trick. A hammer relief valve is easily installed on washing machine and dishwasher taps. Get one at the hardware store today. Also if excessive water pressure at your place is too high, a pressure limiting valve can be installed at the meter and this can be a water hammer fix for the entire house.

6. Is it your mixer taps?

How old is your tap wear? Does it feature modern mixer taps? You’ll notice that while mixer taps are very handy and easy to use, all you need to do to shut off the water instantly is to put the handle down. If this is causing water hammer, you might want to consider replacing the taps with ones that have to be more progressively closed.

7. Give us a call!

While the methods above can be effective, water hammer doesn’t always have a quick and easy fix. Also to bear in mind is that your water hammer might be occurring almost silently depending what your your pipes are made from. The damage though can be just as destructive.

The solution? Give the most experienced, skilled and friendly plumbers in Sydney’s North Shore a call. The fully licensed professionals at Affordable Plumbing Solutions have seen every type of water hammer before and can tailor a fast and affordable fix for you. That is why they are the trusted local plumbers in Lane Cove North, Naremburn, Greenwich, West Pymble, St Leonards, Cammeray, Macquarie Park and anywhere in Sydney’s North Shore and beyond!

So say goodbye to your water hammer today by giving Affordable Plumbing Solutions a call on 0417 142 430