When water is supplied to a building, it flows through the pipes at high velocity and can create vibrations in the pipe that result in a banging or hammering sound. These sounds are known as water hammer noises and they are created because when water flows through a pipe at high velocity it has little time to react to changes in direction. When the water encounters an abrupt change in direction, like a corner or other bend, there is an instantaneous change in pressure inside the pipe.
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The water pressure fluctuates until equilibrium is restored between the expanding volume of water on one side of the bend and the contracting volume on the other side. The same thing happens if there is a sudden increase or decrease in elevation such that water flows downhill faster than it does uphill, or vice versa. Water hammer arrestors help reduce noise and vibration caused by this unusual flow of water by allowing it to expand and contract inside a special chamber without changing its pressure.
Most systems don’t need a hammer arrestor but it can help to protect it. In some areas they are mandatory. Before you install one, you can check if your plumbing system is working correctly. It is possible that you have to install wider pipes or find a more efficient way to install everything. Your plumber can help you with this.
How does a water hammer arrestor work?
Water hammer arrestors help reduce noise and vibration caused by this unusual flow of water by allowing it to expand and contract inside a special chamber without changing its pressure. As the water flows through the arrestor chamber, it comes into contact with a piston, which is connected to a spring that forces the piston to move inward, taking up the extra volume of water on the other side of the bend. When the water flow through the arrestor slows down, the spring pulls the piston back outward to release the extra pressure of the water. Water hammer arrestors are usually installed at the location where a change in direction of flow occurs.
Essentially, they move with the water and make sure that they contract when more water pressure is added. This compensates for this added pressure and decreases it again. In the end, we have less banging in the water pipes.
Types of Water Hammer Arrestors
There are several types of water hammer arrestors to choose from, depending on the type of water hammer problem you are experiencing, as well as your water source, water pressure, and building plumbing configuration.
The main types of water hammer arrestors include the following:
-Mechanical arrestors – these are the most common water hammer arrestors, and can be used for a wide range of situations, though they are not as effective when water pressure is high.
-Diaphragm arrestors – these are mostly used for situations where water pressure is high, but are less commonly used as they are more expensive than other options.
-Pneumatic arrestors – these are used for high-pressure situations where a diaphragm water hammer arrestor would not be effective. They are also used in situations where there is no water supply nearby.
Water Hammer Arrestor Benefits
Water hammer arrestors have some key benefits:
– Reduce noise and vibration in building water systems. Water hammer arrestors help reduce noise and vibration caused by the unusual flow of water through building water systems by allowing it to expand and contract inside a special chamber without changing its pressure.
– Enhance water system efficiency. When water hammer arrestors are installed in building water systems, they help ensure that pressure in the lines remains consistent, which makes it easier for water pressure-reducing valves to regulate the flow of water throughout the system.
– Prevent damage to building components. Water hammer arrestors help prevent damage to building components due to vibration caused by the unusual flow of water in a building water system by allowing that water to expand and contract inside a special chamber without changing its pressure.
How to Install a Water Hammer Arrestor?
When using a water hammer arrestor in your house, it is important to make sure it is installed correctly, as improper installation could damage the plumbing system. To install a water hammer arrestor, follow these steps: Secure the arrestor
– You will have to open up the water pipes. Close the water supply and drain the water from the pipes by opening all the faucets before doing this. PEX can be cut with a PEX cutter (and calibration tool), and copper can be cut with a copper cutter.
– Before installing a water hammer arrestor, make sure it is properly secured and grounded. Check the instructions of your system to see where it needs to be installed.
– Install the arrestor – We have to connect the arrestor to our pipes. This can be done by soldering (for copper) or with a connection system (for copper or PEX). This is quite similar to adding a normal fitting.
For hot water heaters, an expansion tank can be used as well. This tank can get filled with water if the hot water expands. This makes sure that you don’t have a lot of noise in your pipes. You can take a look at water pressure reducers as well.
In conclusion
When water hammer arrestors are installed in building water systems, they help ensure that pressure in the lines remains consistent, which makes it easier for water pressure-reducing valves to regulate the flow of water throughout the system. This helps optimize water flow and reduce energy costs associated with pumping water from the source to the end-user, or vice versa.
They also help prevent damage to building components due to vibration caused by the unusual flow of water in a building water system by allowing that water to expand and contract inside a special chamber without changing its pressure. Finally, they help protect water system integrity by ensuring that pressure in the lines remains consistent, which makes it easier for water pressure-reducing valves to regulate the flow of water throughout the system. This helps ensure that the integrity of the entire water system is protected.
Water hammer arrestors are simple devices that can make a big difference in the operation of your water system and the quality of life in your home. They are commonly found on sprinkler systems.
