Replies

1. 
   popawheelie | Jul 17, 2008 06:48pm | #1

   I did a google on "water hammer arrestor" and this one seemed to explain it pretty well and have product. http://www.plumbingsupply.com/waterhammerarresters.html

1. 
   RRav | Jul 17, 2008 07:22pm | #3

   Thats exactly what I was looking for, I'm no plumber, but have heard of such an arrestor. Thanks for your reply. I assume thatthese are welded to both hot and cold supplies?r2

1. 
   popawheelie | Jul 17, 2008 07:39pm | #4

   Sometimes it's just the hot or the cold. Sometimes it's both. It sounds like a plumber is in order.

1. 
   RRav | Jul 17, 2008 07:55pm | #5

   I have basic plumbing skills so I'll check out the arrestor and see if I can do it myself

1. 
   Sphere | Jul 17, 2008 08:00pm | #6

   If it's when the water is running, locate as close as you can the actual point of noise, drill ahole for a Great Stuff can of foam straw..and start filling the wall with enough to stop the pipe from moving.  Start Above where ya hear the thud.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

   You gonna play that thing?

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Ln-SpJsy0

2. 
   popawheelie | Jul 17, 2008 09:16pm | #7

   I've thought of doing that myself. There is a pipe church that has water hammer. I mentioned it to the maintennce guy several times but he doesn't want to mess with it for some reason.

   I figure you could just drill a hole and foam it. I think it is just laying on the ceiling.

2. 
   JTC1 | Jul 17, 2008 06:51pm | #2

   Bump.

   First - I am not a plumber.

   >>knocking/ pounding noise coming from within the walls when the basin fixture is turned on.<<

   All I can say is that it seems your pipes are not properly anchored within the walls.  You do not say if this basin is new - if old, has it always done this? If new, are you sure that the supply pipes were fully bled of air after installation?

   It is a relatively normal occurance for the pipes to make some noise at the intial start up - but should be silent after being bled of air.

   The devices which you are referring to are air chambers - they primarily serve to quiet pipes when the flow is quickly turned "OFF". They do this by providing a captive chamber of air which can compress and absorb some of the shock of a rapid shut off like when a toilet or washing machine turns off.

   Someone better informed will be along.

   Good luck.

   Jim

    

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
3. 
   BillHartmann | Jul 18, 2008 01:31am | #8

   As someone has mentioned water hammer is caused by quickly stopping the flow of water and the initia "hammers" into the pipe and fittings. It is more common on solienoid operated valves such was washers.

   It causes a single Bang and if the pipes are loose then a rattle, rattle.

   For those a hammer arrestor will help. It is basically a sealed air water chamber that acts as a shock absorber. And work bested installed close to the valve.

   A simple air chamber is not affect the air will be absorbed in a short p[eriod of time.

   However, you don't have water hammer.

   What you have is something in the flow of water that is moving. It will move in a block the flow of water, them move away and allow it to continue. It can be a slow bang, bang, a machine gun sound, or eve a whistle.

   Most often the problem is a loose washer on the faucet. But it maybe a very worn valve stem, a loose washer on the stop valve, possible a loose washer on an upstream valve, or it might be some loose material in the line or faucet.

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   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.