Here is Why Your Pipes are Making Loud Banging Noises

Have you noticed a loud or odd banging noise when you flush a toilet, use a dishwasher or turn on the water? The loud banging noises are commonly called water hammer and relate to the rush of water through your pipes. Depending on the age of your house, the solutions to help reduce the sound may vary; however, the underlying reasons for the loud sounds remain the same for most homes.

What Causes Water Hammer?

The primary cause of water hammer is the sudden rush of water that causes your pipes to bang against the walls of your home. When you flush a toilet or use a dishwasher, the water rushes quickly through the pipes. After a set amount of time, a valve closes on the water to stop the rush of water and that closure results in a sudden loss of momentum. As a result, the pipes bang up against the walls.

While many cases of a water hammer occur in the pipes of your toilet, it may occur in any area of your plumbing in relation to the rush of water and any valves that stop the movement of water through the pipes.

How to stop the noise

A professional plumber can address the banging noise after evaluating the situation. Since older homes and newer homes have different pipes and factors contributing to the banging noises, the solution to resolve the problem differs and will require the technical expertise of a plumbing company or experienced local plumber to determine a resolution

Older houses have an air chamber that helps prevent the problem from occurring. When the air chambers fill with water, it may result in water hammer. Fortunately, you can quickly fix the underlying problem by turning off your water and running all of the faucets and flushing your toilets until you no longer have any water draining. That helps clear out the air chamber and stops the loud noises.

For homes built after 1970, you still need to work with a professional plumber to address the underlying problems. Since the houses may not have an air chamber or any protection against water hammer, most likely you’ll want to call a professional plumbing company or local plumber to work on the piping system in your home.

Additional Causes of Noises

While water hammer is the most common cause of a loud banging noise, it may also relate to loose straps connecting the pipes to the wall studs of the house. The loose straps may relate to water hammer or be due to other factors. The problem may also stem from excessive water pressure in your house. By reducing the pressure, you stop the loud noises.

The reasons you hear a loud banging noise from your pipes may depend on a variety of factors. Fortunately, professional plumbers recognize the causes of the noise and take measures to address the banging sounds after identifying the specific reasons for the sound. For more details about resolving problems with your pipes, contact Service Pros Plumbers for a solution today.