NOISY PLUMBING

Banging-Gurgling-Screaming-Tapping-Vibrating

These are the words we hear when people describe plumbing noises. Noisy plumbing can be very annoying but here’s the good news: 99% of the time.

It can be fixed

Your plumber has had experiences with all of these problems and is the right person to solve them.

Don’t put up with it for too long as it can place extra strain on your plumbing system. In most cases it can be remedied without a major cost and will help those sleepless nights listening to the shower drip or the tap turn on and off downstairs.

More Technical Information On Water Hammer….

What is Water Hammer?

Water Hammer (pounding or knocking noises and vibration) occurs when a column of non-compressible liquid, flowing through a pipeline at a given pressure and velocity, is stopped abruptly. A high intensity pressure wave travels back and forth through the pipe at approximately 4000 feet per second (1,220 meters per second) until the energy is dissipated. The shock wave can climb to between 300 and 600 psi (2000 to 4000 kpa), going higher with increasing pressure and flow rate.

"FLOW PRESSURE", "FLOW VELOCITY", "VALVE SHUT-OFF SPEED" and the length of pipe from point of valve closure to point of relief (large diameter pipe) are the factors which contribute to water hammer.

Water hammer can be annoying, impossible to locate and costly in damage to pipe fittings, valves and the plumbers’ patience and chargeable hours.

What can be done?

"Flow Pressure"

As water hammer is directly proportional to pressure, the use of an adjustable pressure limiting valve on the main supply can be used to adjust the pressure to a point where the water hammer ceases, hopefully at a pressure which is still serviceable. Europeans set their domestic line pressure at 300 kpa. This pressure will drive all single lever and shower massage, etc, very successfully.

"Flow Velocity"

The speed at which water is travelling — L.P.M. (litres per minute) is another key factor. Water hammer is more likely if a valve shuts down a flow at 30 LPM, than a slower flow at 6 LPM.

The use of flow regulators, which are available in different flow rates, keeps flows down to the minimum necessary for the application and will also prevent water hammer.

The following is a guide to minimum flows:

Basin 6 LPM
Shower 8 - 10 LPM
Kitchen 10 - 15 LPM

Valve Shut-off Speed

In most cases education on the closing off of single lever tapware will "work wonders". Obviously this is not possible on solenoid valves found on washing machines and dishwashers.

Water Hammer Arrestors

There are two main types of water hammer arrestors. The bladder of diaphragm type has limitations. The air pressure needs to be checked and replenished on a regular basis. The piston type has a cushion of air or gas permanently sealed in the unit and is never lost — therefore no maintenance is required. In most cases it is the best to place the arrestor as close to the shut off source as possible.

Contact Chesters for a registered plumber in your area if you require further help.