Sunday, March 2, 2014

Kitchen Faucet Hammer Problems

Kitchen Faucet Hammer Problems


Water hammer at the kitchen faucet is not only annoying but can over time cause damage to the water pipes, joints and the faucet. The sudden change in water pressure when the faucet is shut off causes the water supply line to recoil, which is what causes a sound like a hammer hitting a water pipe. If not corrected, it could eventually cause ruptures and leaks in the plumbing.


Solutions


Re-pressurize the plumbing air chambers if you live in an older home. Older homes often have air chambers or risers in the water lines. Shut the water off at the main water valve in the house and drain the water out of the household water lines. Begin draining at the lowest level and work your way up opening each faucet as you go. Turn off the hot water heater and drain it as well. Close the faucets and turn the water back on. Go through the house and open the faucets to restore normal water pressure. Old risers commonly stop working because they are filled with mineral deposits and sludge. Re-pressurizing may not work. Repeat this process when you notice the water hammer happening again.


Determine how high the water pressure is in your water lines with a water pressure gauge. If the water pressure is over 80 psi, then it is too high. Lowering the water pressure could be all you need to do to eliminate water hammer. Have a pressure reducing valve installed where the main water line goes into the house to reduce the water pressure to a more acceptable 45 to 70 psi which in turn may reduce or eliminate the kitchen faucet water hammer.


Eliminate the possibility for the waterline to recoil and move as a result of water hammer to help reduce possible damage by securing the water line firmly to the wall with pipe clips. Fasten the pipe clips securely to wall studs. Use as many clips as necessary to fasten the water pipe firmly at regular intervals along the entire length.


Replace the faucet with a low-flow faucet. This could eliminate water hammer by reducing the speed of the water flow in the pipe thereby reducing the sudden shock of shutting off the water.


Install water hammer arresters to reduce or eliminate the effects of the sudden change in water pressure by absorbing the resulting shock wave. Install water hammer arresters as close to the faucet as possible or at the pipeline branch that goes to the kitchen faucet. Install a water hammer arrester on both the cold and hot water lines.








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