This is actually one of the most common questions that professional plumbers get. Homeowners sometimes find that when they turn off their faucets—particularly if they turn them off quickly—that they hear a sound reminiscent of creaking, whistling, or banging. Even if you’ve only discovered this once, you are right to pay close attention to it, and you’ve found the right company to address it with. Banging pipes can be detrimental to your entire plumbing system if ignored.

Water Hammer

When you hear pipe banging, your plumbing is actually experiencing an event called water hammer. Essentially, the velocity of the flow of water throughout your pipes is not being controlled in a way that is causing the water pressure to be too strong for your pipes. The good news is, there is a solution.

Water-hammer arrestors—mechanical devices that never need recharging—can be installed directly into your plumbing system by a licensed plumbing technician. In addition to this, we can also install air chambers in the walls behind each sink in your bathrooms, which serve as a sort of shock absorber for your water pipes.

Basically, all faucets available today are quick closing, creating a high amount of energy through the form of water flow. When water is shut off abruptly as it is with your facets, there is a shock wave of energy, which the air chambers are able to absorb so that your pipes do not bang.

When water flows through your pipes, you should normally hear a steady and even sound. It’s never normal to hear big thumps when your water is running, or a series of banging noises. If not water hammer, this is still the sign that something is seriously wrong with your plumbing system, which warrants a call to our professionals.

For quality plumbing repairs throughout Littleton, CO and beyond, contact APC Plumbing & Heating today.