The symptoms of water hammer are often described as a loud banging, knocking, or hammering noise in the pipes of your home’s plumbing in Fort Worth, that may occur intermittently. Water hammer is caused by a pressure or shock wave that travels through the pipes, and is brought on by a sudden stop in the flow of water.

When the conditions are present that allow water hammer to occur, you may hear its characteristic noise when the washing machine stops filling, or when a faucet is turned off suddenly, for example. It exerts extreme pressure that may over time, damage the home’s plumbing in Fort Worth by weakening joints and valves, or causing leaks or ruptures in the water pipes.

Potentially contributing factors to water hammer include:

  • Improperly sized piping
  • Pipe corrosion
  • Elevated water pressure lacking a pressure-reducing valve, or containing a faulty PRV
  • Long straight runs in the home’s plumbing in Fort Worth
  • Insufficient securement of the piping to structure with strapping
  • No dampening system in place to control shock waves

Plumbing systems often contain air-filled risers connected at various points to absorb the shock wave. Over time, the air chambers can become waterlogged, leaving the pipes without protection against the force of water hammer.

Due to the potential for damage, and leaks it is essential to contact a qualified plumber in Fort Worth for plumbing repair. The potential cost of not addressing the causes behind water hammer it is much greater.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing plumbers in Fort Worth offer a professional solution for your home’s water hammer problem based on the cause:

  1. High Water Pressure – When high water pressure causes water hammer, installing a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) will restore the normal water pressure, and stop potential damage to the plumbing system. High water pressure can damage pipes, faucets, and water using appliances such as the icemaker. Installing a PRV requires cutting into the home’s main water supply pipe, requiring a professional plumber with the expertise to provide the repair, and is typically required by building code.
  2. Pipe corrosion may cause water hammer, as well as frequent leaks, low water pressure and potentially poor water quality. Re-piping by a licensed plumber is the only solution for aged, and corroded pipes. Repiping provides reliability, increased value to your home, and prevents serious structural damage from water leaks.
  3. The proper securing of long pipe runs with pipe straps prevent movement of the pipes. When a strap comes loose, the pipe can bang against adjacent structures with the movement of water through the pipe, creating a banging noise. Securing loose pipe with sturdy straps provides the solution for this type of water hammer. In addition, moving pipes striking a structure can result in wear of the pipe, and may lead to a leak.

When your home’s plumbing in Fort Worth is experiencing water hammer, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for professional plumbing repair. We serve Fort Worth, Arlington, and the surrounding areas with reliable plumbing services, and are a member of the BBB with a consistent A+ rating.