HAMMERING PIPES

If you hear hammering in your water pipes whenever you turn off one of the faucets too quickly, you may have caused an air cushion. The hammering is caused by the abrupt halting of the water as it courses through the pipes. The banging sound is the water bouncing against the sides of the pipe as it stops. Install, as near as possible to the waer meter, a three foot length of pipe capped at the end, and screwed into the main pipe. When the water supply is arrested at the faucet, the water that is stopped will force itself up into the air pocket in the air cushion and will slow down gradually against the compressed air, without knocking the pipe. Hammering can also be caused by incorrect support of the pipe at some point along its length. Check the pipe wherever it is exposed in the basement to see that all mounting straps are tight. The pipe should be solidly anchored at frequent intervals along its length. Look for places where the pipe has given or sagged out of line. The vibrations are set up when water rushes rapidly through it. If the water you receive from the main supply is already pressurized, you may have an unnecessary air pocket in your pipes. Check with your plumber.