water util./pipe hammering?

19 years ago

After we bought our new home last winter, we learned there were some pretty loud hammering noises that the builder's plumber attempted to silence with strapping in several locations plus a hammer arrester on the washing machine fill pipes.

This morning, I heard very loud hammering as the washing machine went through its cycles as well as when other fixtures were used. (The initial WM noise literally shook the house.) I happened to notice two water utility trucks & men working at an empty lot across the street. The water co.'s CSR says they were repairing a broken main and that any air in the pipes should be gone within 24 to 36 hours. If the pipe hammering persists beyond 36 hrs., they will send someone to "flush the lines." Since what I know about plumbing could barely fill a thimble, I'd like to ask if this sounds reasonable to you experts? Might the violent hammering do any damage? Also, the CSR offered to credit our account if our bill seems abnormally high next cycle, but she couldn't explain what would cause our usage to increase. Any thoughts on that? Thank you.

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Comments (2)

jake2007
19 years ago
Water hammering comes from water flowing rapidly through a pipe and then coming to a sudden stop. Since liquids donÂt compress, the hammering sound are the pipes and such moving and flexing from the impact of the water coming to a sudden stop. It is often seen as a result of an electric valve that closes (such as on a dishwasher, or washing machine).
Pipes that are not well secured can make additional noise if they slap against the wall or framing member when they move.

To answer your question, yes, this can be damaging to your plumbing. It can damage the valve itself and it can stress all of the pipes and joints up to that valve that is closing. Not to be alarmist, but it in severe cases, it can cause the pipes to fail. In less severe cases the constant moving of the pipe can cause a failure.

If there is air in the line from the work on the water main that can cause the hammering that you heard. What the water company said sounds reasonable to me. What your builder did to limit the hammering also seems reasonable. However, if the hammering persists, I would have the builder or a plumber check the water pressure to see if it is too high and also take additional steps to relieve the hammering.
otmsheffield
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks. The hammering isn't as bad today, so I will give it another day or so to see if things continue to improve. In checking the basement, I found a half dozen or so metal straps that are attached to floor joists but don't loop around the pipes. If all the builder's plumber will do is to remove & reattach those straps so that they are actually holding something, then dh may just take care of it.
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