Annoyed by banging noises from your plumbing? You might be experiencing water hammer, a common issue that can turn a peaceful day into a noisy nightmare. You may have heard loud banging or knocking when you turn off a faucet or when a washing machine or dishwasher finishes its cycle. Not only is this noise incredibly irritating, but it can also cause potential damage to the plumbing system.
That’s where water hammer arrestors come in. These nifty devices are designed to absorb the shock wave caused by the sudden stop or change in water flow, effectively eliminating the noise and protecting your pipes from excessive stress. Whether you prefer to tackle the installation yourself or are an experienced professional, installing water hammer arrestors will restore peace and quiet to the home while ensuring the longevity of any plumbing system.
In this blog, we’ll explain what a water hammer is and its underlying causes and introduce you to the reliable solution – Oatey Quiet Pipes® water hammer arrestors. We'll delve into the advantages of Quiet Pipes® and provide you with installation and
maintenance tips to keep your plumbing system running smoothly
What is a water hammer?
A water hammer is a hydraulic shock in a piping system that occurs suddenly when water flow is stopped. When a valve or faucet is closed or turned off, the sudden change in the velocity (speed) of the flowing water creates kinetic energy and raises the pressure within the pipe. In other words, pressure resonates and creates waves inside the piping, resulting in a shuddering sound. You can read more here about what can cause banging pipes.
The Solution: Oatey Quiet Pipes® Water Hammer Arrestors
At Oatey, we understand the frustration caused by the water hammer. That’s why we’ve developed Quiet Pipes® water hammer arrestors – an innovative solution that eliminates pipe-banging noise and safeguards your plumbing system. With Quiet Pipes® installed, you can enjoy a peaceful and hassle-free plumbing experience.
Advantages of Quiet Pipes®:
- Reduces pipe banging noise: Say goodbye to the disruptive sounds caused by water hammer. Quiet Pipes® suppresses the noise, providing a quiet environment in your home.
- Protects your plumbing: Water hammer can cause stress on your pipes, leading to potential leaks or even burst pipes. Our water hammer arrestors absorb the shock caused by the water hammer, preventing damage and extending the lifespan of your plumbing system.
- Offers application versatility: Whether you have a washing machine, dishwasher, or any other noisy fixture, Quiet Pipes® is available in various sizes to cater to your specific needs.
Hammer Arrestor Sizes:
Hammer arrestors come in a range of sizes, including AA and A through F, to cater to the needs of both residential and commercial applications. These sizes accommodate various connection types, ensuring compatibility with different plumbing setups.
Below are the connection types available:
Straight connections
- CPVC (male or female)
- Copper sweat or press
- PEX 1807 (crimp) and 1960 (cold expansion)
- MIP (male iron pipe)
- Tee connections
- PEX
- Compression (in a variety of connection options)
- 7/8’’ hose bibb connections
Installation and maintenance:
Installing Quiet Pipes® is simple. When dealing with washing machines, simply screw the water hammer arrestor onto the male fitting in any orientation — whether it’s right side up, upside down, or sideways. For dishwashers and other appliances, use compression fittings for a secure connection. Remember, installing the arrestor as close as possible to the noise-making fixture is crucial to combat the water hammer effectively.
Once installed, the arrestor needs no maintenance. If you still hear a banging noise, check to see if enough straps are holding the pipes in place. If not, add more. Using clips and plumber’s tape will further restrict pipe movement. Be careful not to use galvanized or steel straps on copper pipes — a reaction to the material could corrode them.
If the pipes pass through walls, it’s essential to ensure that the holes surrounding them have been filled with foam. This simple step helps prevent the pipes from rattling and producing unwanted noise.
Other considerations
Keep in mind that banging pipes can also result from high water pressure, which poses risks to any appliance. Excessive pressure can cause damage and even void the appliance’s warranty if it exceeds 100 psi (pounds per square inch). Additionally, water valves may leak if the pressure exceeds 150 psi.
Regulating water pressure is key to maintaining a safe and functional plumbing system. You can achieve this using a water-pressure regulator or a pressure-reducing valve (PRV). These devices allow you to set the pressure anywhere between 40 and 75 psi, ensuring that the water pressure throughout the house never exceeds the recommended maximum level.
In addition, it is crucial to ensure proper sizing and placement of hammer arrestors; otherwise, they cannot perform properly or attain longevity. Incorrectly sizing a hammer arrestor by miscalculating fixture units or failing to follow a manufacturer’s installation recommendations could produce undesired results that do little to remedy a water hammer.
Water hammer is an ongoing nuisance that many homeowners tolerate for years. Solving this problem with a simple and effective solution like Quiet Pipes® will restore peace in the home again. Again, whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or a seasoned professional, you will be grateful that this common problem can be solved so easily.