There are many possible causes of a banging sound from water pipes. The seriousness of the respective sounds also varies from one pipe to another. Some of the reasons that can cause your pipe to be making such a strange noise are explained below.
Loose Straps
People often tend to neglect the relevance of the physics of water pressure. Meanwhile, typically, a residential home passes water through the pipes at 45-80 psi (pounds per square each). Sometimes, municipal water suppliers increase the pressure of their water delivery to over 100 psi during an emergency service to high-rise buildings or fire hydrants. This abnormal pressure creates an energy that puts a massive burden on pipes, which sometimes makes the pipes shake or vibrate.
During installation, pipes are generally affixed to the structural beam by brackets or metal straps. Sometimes, huge water pressure can induce movement in the pipes to enable them to jerk free and make some sounds against the loose structure and constraints. This motion causes a continual sound and can lead to the destruction of the pipe unless it is well secured.
Broken Taps/Valves
If you hear a rattling, rather than a banging sound, it is possible that something is loose somewhere and is shaking inside the pipes. This problem always leads to a drop in water pressure caused by a blockage in water flow. Faucet taps and valves are usually the leading cause of the problem. Unless the damaged material has gone deep into the plumbing, you can repair it by opening the faulty tap or valve and wiping out the debris.
Water Hammer
This is another common problem that can make your pipe malfunction. Water hammer occurs when a closed valve suddenly stops water that is flowing through a pipe at high pressure. The stoppage certainly forces the fast-moving water to go elsewhere, where it rushes out of the valve creating an air pocket that is quickly filled. This pressure always results in a loud, banging noise.
Before the 1960s, most of the houses built had integrated special air chambers, which was a form of shock absorbers in the plumbing system. Thus, pressurized water smoothly flows into them, thereby oozing out force instead of crashing into the valves, which can damage the pipes and connections. After some time, water may fill these chambers, thus rendering them faulty to use. This explains why older homes usually experience a water hammer. Most modern homes use water hammer ancestors, also called spring-loaded shock absorbers, to deflect the force of the water when the valve is sealed. Compared to air chambers, water hammer arrestors have a longer lifespan because they don’t fill with water and never become waterlogged.
Water hammer is a significant threat to a home’s plumbing, especially if the arrestors or air chambers fail. If you observe a similar fault in your plumbing, consult a skilled plumbing contractor to find and replace the faulty devices.
Having issues with your pipes and need a professional plumbers help? Call us at 02 9158 6549 and we will quickly sort out your problem.