Monday, October 24, 2011

Don’t Get Hammered: Check The Water Pipes

It can be really irritating on your first day in a new home to turn off a tap and hear a loud banging or rattling coming from a wall or beneath the floor boards: The cause is water hammer or “hydraulic shock” and it can sometimes cause extensive damage to water pipes, hot water systems and appliances.

Sometimes water hammer is an indicator of an installation problem relating to piping, valves, taps, cisterns, hot water storage and heating, washing machines or dishwashers. The most common causes are tension in the piping, poor piping support in walls and under floors, high mains pressure and fast-closing solenoid valves in appliances.

When a tap is suddenly shut the moving mass of water in the pipe behind, which has built up velocity and pressure, suddenly stops...releasing a shock wave either in one loud bang or as a series of hammering noises. Eventually, this can cause leaks and even failure of the piping system.

Sometimes water hammer only occurs with a single device in the home, commonly a flush toilet. When you pull the chain or push the button to flush the bowl a float valve opens to refill the cistern. The closure of this valve can then produce water hammer in a susceptible system. This can be hell for light sleepers in the family home when it happens at night.

We at can assist you to locate a plumber in your area or resolve other property concerns.

If you have a question about real estate, or would like assistance in locating a property, feel free to phone me, Noel Thompson Principal Professionals Logan Lifestyles anytime on 0418 517 525.

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