If you have been hearing creepy banging noises coming from your Brooklyn plumbing fixtures, you might mistakenly attribute the sounds to paranormal activity. The actual, physical cause of hearing a knocking sound when you turn off the faucet on a water tap is actually less mysterious than you might assume. The best plumbers in Brooklyn want you to know that this condition is commonly known as water hammer, and it is usually a sign that air is trapped somewhere in the plumbing system.
Why is Water Hammer so Noisy?
When the faucet is turned on, and then off, the air that is trapped in the pipes comes to a sudden stop as the water moves back and forth in the pipe. As the water smashes into the end of the air pocket trapped within the pipe, it causes a pressure surge, causing the pipe to act like a spring which results in the vibration of the pipe and noise that sounds like a loud bang.
How to Cure Water Hammer Sounds
Sometimes, water hammer sounds can be cured simply by turning the down the water pressure at the home’s water main. Simply turn the valve until the water is shut off, turn on the water faucets in the home, and then slowly turn the water back on at the water main until you have adequate, but slightly less water flow as before. This procedure removes the air pocket in the plumbing while reducing the pressure in your pipes.
If this method does not eliminate the banging sound, the vibration may be coming from two pipes that are rubbing together when the water is turned on and then off. This commonly occurs in homes with recent plumbing work where the faucet or other fixture has been repaired or replaced in the kitchen or bathroom, and the hot and water supply lines are now too close together. Water hammer can be cured in this instance by installing plumbing clips to hold the pipes apart so that they are less prone to touch and rub as the pressure in the pipes fluctuates as the water is turned on and off.
While these two fixes are fairly simple and easy, these procedures usually will not cure most water hammer sounds, especially if they are occurring in the plumbing throughout the home. Often, the pressure is so great in the plumbing system that it is necessary to install a pressure relief valve to remove enough pressure, and air, from the plumbing system to stop the knocking and banging sounds coming from the pipes.
Other times, the installation of an aerator, an air chamber, or a water hammer arrester is also necessary to remove the water hammer sounds. The procedure to install a pressure relief valve, water chamber, aerator or water hammer arrester in the plumbing system can be quite involved, especially if the pipes are composed of copper or other metal.
Installing a pressure relief valve, or the other components designed to reduce the shock caused by water colliding with air trapped in the pipes, means that it will be necessary to correctly measure and remove a specific length of pipe, making certain that the cut is level, smooth and deburred. Next, it is necessary to solder the connections between the existing metal pipework and the pressure regulators. Any mistake made during the installation process means that important structures such as struts, joists, flooring and the surrounding walls and other materials are at risk of water damage and the need for extensive, and expensive repairs, should water leaks arise due to plumbing components that have been installed incorrectly.
While it might be tempting to simply try to learn to live with the sounds made by water hammer, doing nothing can lead to extensive damage to the home’s entire plumbing system over time. For these reasons, it is best to leave the troubleshooting and the repair of water hammer sounds to professionals that have the tools and expertise to correctly diagnose and fix the problem.
If the sounds made by your Brooklyn plumbing fixtures are haunting you, leave the repair to the experts, and contact the best plumbers in Brooklyn, Aladdin Plumbing today.