If your need is to determine if water hammer is a legitimate concern, you need to consider the speed of the closure mechanism, the flow rate, pipe size and associated velocity. I have read that water hammer is rarely a concern below 4. The idea of providing water hammer arrestors and potentially access panels willy-nilly bothers me, because it is the reckless application of an engineering concept.
But unfortunately, in this age of litigation, we always have to err on the side of caution. Timothy Allinson is vice president of Engineering at Murray Co.
He is a professional engineer licensed in both mechanical and fire protection engineering in various states, and is a LEED accredited professional. He can be reached at lagunatictim gmail. Home » Water hammer arrestors. June 6, Timothy Allinson. No Comments. Jay R. Smith Mfg. Oatey Quiet Pipe Water Hammer.
Jump to Page:. Report Abusive Comment Thank you for helping us to improve our forums. Is this comment offensive? Please tell us why. Most Popular. Water hammer arrestors are fairly easy to install, relatively inexpensive, and quite effective in stopping water hammer. They are designed to keep their air cushion so that they will keep your water safely contained when it hits a sudden stop.
Identify the fixture that is causing the noise. Washing machines and dishwashers are frequent causes of water hammer because as they work, they start and stop the water suddenly and frequently, but any plumbing fixture could be the culprit. You will need a water hammer the right diameter for your pipes — two, if there is both a hot and a cold pipe going to the appliance, an adjustable wrench, a pipe wrench, pliers, and materials for either soldering copper or cutting and joining plastic pipe, depending on your plumbing.
The best location for the water hammer arrestor is within six feet of the valve that is causing the pressure wave, so you are going to install the water hammer arrestor in the same room as the noisy valve. Expose the plumbing fixtures for the appliance that is causing the noise. This could mean opening an access panel, pulling the washing machine or dishwasher away from the wall, or if your plumbing is closed in behind walls making a hole to access the pipes. Most likely, the valve beside which you need to install the water hammer arrestor is going to be readily accessible.
You can drain the pipes by opening faucets, especially at the fixture on which you are working; the water will run out, and since there is no more coming in, they will be empty.
Cut the pipe. You will need to choose your location according to your plumbing set up. You might be very close to the valve, or further if that is where the access is; be within 6 feet or less.
Have your bucket ready to catch any water that runs out. Once the water is drained, you will cut out about a one-inch section of the pipe; the section cut out should be the right size for the water hammer arrestor fitting. If you have copper pipes, adjust the ends of the tubes, the t-fitting for the water hammer arrestor, and the arrestor by sanding and polishing them smooth and coating with flux. If you have plastic pipes, sand off any burrs, clean them very well and prepare according to your contact cement instructions.
Just follow the steps below to conduct your own investigation into the matter. This vertical pipe located near the water valve helps alleviate water hammer by acting as a cushion. The air chamber absorbs the shock of the water once the valve closes, preventing the water from loudly slamming against the side of the pipes. Many homes have air chambers installed within their walls, but sometimes the air chamber can stop working properly if it becomes waterlogged.
To fix the issue, homeowners need to drain their plumbing system: Shut off the main water valve, open the highest faucet in your home, and drain water from the lowest faucet usually in the basement or first floor. The air chamber will fill back up with air instead of water, hopefully solving the water hammer problem.
Water hammer arrestors feature air-filled cylinders that absorb the jolt of a sudden water pressure increase when a valve shuts off. Most water hammer arrestors available today are easy to install, and they feature screw-type connectors that attach between a water-supply line and a shut-off valve view example on Amazon. Make sure to install two: one on the hot water supply line and one on the cold water supply line. Sometimes, excessive water pressure in your pipes causes water hammer, in which case emptying the air chamber of water or installing a water arrestor offers only temporary help.
To regulate the pressure, homeowners should adjust their pressure-reducing valve. Depending on the manufacturer, some valves have a handle for adjustment, while others require a wrench or screwdriver. Use the proper technique to adjust your valve to a setting below 50 PSI pounds per square inch , which is a sufficient setting for most homes.
As a bonus, reducing the water pressure in your home saves energy , promotes water conservation, and potentially prolongs the life of your automatic appliances including pricier investments like washing machines, toilets, and dishwashers.
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