Is the House Haunted by a Water Hammer This Halloween?

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What to Do About That Spooky Banging Sound Behind the Walls

Every house has its unique soundtrack of little noises it makes, from creaks and groans to thuds and pops. Most of these are just products of the house settling and wood contracting or expanding as temperatures change. But if loud banging or knocking sounds are coming from inside the walls or under the floors, there’s cause for concern. 

These frightful sounds aren’t caused by ghouls, ghosts, or goblins but by a slightly less terrifying phenomenon called water hammer. Apart from being annoying and downright spooky, water hammers can damage pipes and fixtures and may even indicate larger issues with the plumbing system – so this article will explain what a water hammer is, its risks, and how to get rid of it!

What Exactly Is Water Hammer?

A water hammer, also known as hydraulic shock, is a pressure surge or shockwave inside a water pipe that occurs when the water flow suddenly stops or changes direction (the technical term for this is transient flow). This usually results in a banging or knocking sound caused by the shockwave traveling through the pipe. The pipe may also rattle against any surrounding wood if it’s not tightly fastened, contributing to the noise. A water hammer is generally the culprit when anyone refers to banging or noisy pipes.

Water hammers are usually caused by a valve closing suddenly, such as the automatic valves in a washing machine or dishwasher. However, even a faucet being turned off quickly can cause a hydraulic shock. But in many cases, excessively high water pressure is at the root of the problem – if the water is moving faster and under higher pressure, more force will be behind it when it suddenly slams into a closed valve.

What Are the Dangers of Water Hammer?

water hammerApart from the irritation of noisy pipes, water hammers can cause serious issues with the plumbing system. Over time, the constant pressure surges and shockwaves can loosen pipe fittings and joints, potentially causing small leaks or even a ruptured pipe. The sudden pressure surge can even cause old or corroded pipes to burst. 

If this weren’t bad enough on its own, the resulting water damage can be extensive – not to mention expensive to clean and repair. A water hammer can also damage any valves that bear the brunt of the shockwave. This will mainly affect automatic valves that close very rapidly, such as those in washing machines, dishwashers, and toilets.

How Do the Pros Fix Water Hammer?

fixing water hammerWhen it comes to fixing water hammers, professional plumbers have a few options at their disposal. One of the first things they will do is check the home’s main water pressure regulator to see if the water pressure is at a normal level - typically somewhere between 50-70 PSI - and adjust it if necessary.

The next step is typically to see if the home’s air chambers are full of water (if the house has any). Air chambers are vertical sections of pipe in the water supply system that act as a sort of buffer, giving water somewhere to go if there’s a pressure surge. If the air chambers are full of water, they must be drained. Another water hammer fix professionals may employ is to install water hammer arrestors near potentially problematic valves. These small devices serve a similar function as air chambers, acting as cushions where sudden changes in pressure and flow occur. 

These fixes - not to mention diagnosing the cause of the water hammer - are outside the realm of DIY plumbing repair, so to make sure the issue is fully resolved and avoid damaging the plumbing system, it’s always best to leave water hammer repair to the professionals!

About Falcon Plumbing

Falcon Plumbing has over 35 years of expertise serving Miami Lakes and the surrounding areas. They provide upfront pricing with no extra charges for overtime work and personal attention. Call them today for plumbing services in Miami Lakes, FL.

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The Spook In Your Home Could Be Pipe Noises Not a Halloween Ghost

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Is Your Plumbing System Making Scary Sounds?

It is that time again! Halloween is around the corner and homeowners find themselves letting their imaginations get the better of them. Strange noises in water pipes can disturb a restless night's sleep in more ways than one.

Whether it’s terror or the horrors of costly repairs, spooky pipe noises are hard to overcome. This article will discuss some of the more common causes of those strange noises, and give homeowners an idea of how to resolve them once and for all.

October Brings Out The Pipe Spooks

The month of October is full of thrills and chills that are meant to keep you up at night. Halloween comes at the cost of imagining there is more to the spooky noises homes can make during the night.

One aspect of a home that can be particularly creepy is the plumbing system. Pipes, when not working at top capacity, can make some unusual sounds that are not normal. While these noises can be offputting, and the Halloween atmosphere lends to spooky thoughts, these sounds are (for the most part) actually harmless.

Issues like water pressure and malfunctioning mechanisms can cause plumbing pipes to emit sounds that are outside the normal plumbing sounds. All of these sounds can be corrected when the homeowner is aware of the cause.

Water Pressure Can Cause Scary Humming

water pressureWater pressure that is not at an optimal level can cause many problems to arise in water pipes. One of the most disturbing of those problems is a humming noise. Generally, the humming noise is caused by water pressure that is too high.

As the water pressure is too high, it is moving at a fast rate through your pipes. This can cause a vibration that will produce a humming sound. An easy way to check is to make sure the water valves are working correctly.

While the humming noise is present, turn off each valve one at a time until the noise stops. Once the sound is eliminated, you can safely assume that this particular valve needs repair. In the case of a broken valve, or if the sound persists, a professional will be required to assist with the situation.

Toilets Can Whistle Without Supernatural Help

A whistling toilet can be offputting when the cause is unknown; especially in severe cases where the toilet screeches loudly. As with humming though, the problem exists within the plumbing. The most common cause of a whistling toilet is the fill valve.

When a toilet flushes, there is a fill valve in the tank that measures the amount of water that goes into the tank. As the water is filling, the valve is open. The valve is attached to a bobber that rises with the water. When the water reaches its designated amount, the bobber stops rising and the valve closes.

whistling sounds

The whistling noise is a side effect of a valve that is old, damaged, or broken. When the valve is unable to open or close correctly, the pressure escaping creates a whistling noise. In the right circumstances, it can create a screeching noise that can be unsettling.

Generally, replacing this mechanism will stop the problem, however, homeowners are encouraged to call an expert when not familiar with the repair/ replace process as it can lead to bigger more costly repairs.

Air Bubbles Create Loud Bangs

air bubblesLoud banging noises can be startling when they happen in the middle of the night. Chances are, if they are connected to your water pipes, the noise will happen while you are standing at the sink. Though this can still be startling, it is another product of water pressure.

Air bubbles are created in water pipes when the water pressure is too low. Another signal of air bubbles besides banging is when the water stutters when the faucet is first turned on. On the other hand, water pressure that is too high can also cause banging noises in the form of water hammers.

Water hammers are caused by the water traveling too fast towards the faucet when the faucet is turned off. Like a car crash, the water comes to a sudden stop and will cause a loud banging sound to come from the pipes. Either of these issues is repairable with the assistance of a professional plumber.

Falcon Plumbing Is Available For Spooky Assistance

Woman-owned and operated, Falcon Plumbing is the expert in the Miami FL area. With no overtime charges, Falcon Plumbing is equipped to handle all of your spooky plumbing needs 24/7. With a unique understanding of the homeowner's needs, they have been proudly servicing the community since 1986.

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