Solution Guide to Water Hammer Arrestor Not Working And Other Noise Issues
Why is the water hammer arrestor not working in water supply lines effectively?The annoying water knocking or banging sound can resurface. Sometimes, you can deal with this issue by either repairing or replacing the defective arrestor. But, neither will work if the sound originates elsewhere.
Whatever the issue with your plumbing lines, we brought you this guide to eliminate your irritations from all the noises emanating from them.
We have discussed various factors that can bring about the noise and how to suppress them to have quiet and sturdy water pipes.
Water Hammer Arrestor Not Working- Fixes with Reasons Explained
What should be your first approach to tackle a problem? It is to know the root of the problem. Similarly, we will follow this procedure, first of all, to detect where our problem lies. So, let’s go through the table below to explore a little before diving into the solution.
| Problems | Possible Solutions |
| Shock arrestor not working | Replacing the shock arrester |
| Bang from other lines | Installing new hammer arrestor |
| Loosely fitted plumbing lines | Tightening the connections |
| Pipes impacting with each other or hard surfaces | Insulating them |
At times, solving any specific problem in the list may not silent the water hammers in your supply pipe. If that’s the case, one of the other solutions will fix the recurring sounds when closing a valve. We’ve divided each solution into sections, clarified when to use them, and instructed how to execute them.
So, let’s commence our journey.
Replacing & Repairing The Shock Arrestor
When we close our water valves or switch of water supply from any electric appliances (e.g. washing machines), it creates sudden duress in the supply lines. And to suppress the pressure and sound it produces, we install shock arrestors.
Generally, they last more than three years. Therefore, if the clanging problem resurfaces three years after you installed your shock arrestor, then maybe the diaphragm is torn for excess pressure.
As most of the shock absorbers are one-piece, there is no way you can replace the diaphragm separately. So, what’s the way left? Replacement.
Before replacing the shock arrestor, you got to confirm that it is faulty, and changing it will dissolve the banging noise.
So, switch off and on the adjacent valve and listen closely to detect the place of banging. If it also comes from shutting off other valves, installing a shock arrestor in the line will fix your problem. Otherwise, extract the old arrestor first to replace it.
- If the Sioux chief water hammer arrestor stopped working in your flush water supply line, you can rotate it like PVC line arrestors to remove them.
- You can also twist most other water hammers to take them off.
So, your water supply line is finally ready for installing a new shock absorber. To know how to install it, jump into the next section.
Installing A New Shock Arrestor
Installing a new hammer arrestor is the safest option to reduce concussion failure for fast-closing valves and water supply lines. So, how to install a new arrestor?
Here’s how:
- Firstly, close the water supply to the pipe making water hammers, and drain the line.
- Now, mark where you need to cut according to the inlet distance of the shock arrestor.
- Then, cut the marked area of the pipe using a pipe cutter and apply flux to the pipes and the T-fitting of the shock arrestor.
- Finally, solder the fitting and twist in your shock arrestor, and use a wrench to tighten your shock arrestor.
What’s left? Yes, open the supply lines to check for any leaks in the new connection. And, open the valve to check if clanging sounds have stopped.
Tightening Loosely Situated Lines
Recurring hammer sounds do not always happen because of the water hammer arrestor not working anymore in your water supply lines.
So, we will be discussing where else to look other than a shock resistor below.
If the plumbing of your house is not sturdy enough, it can be a major cause of water hammers. So, use pipe clamps to affix them against a wall or stable surfaces. These will restrain the pipe from moving when the water thrust suddenly emerges.
Restraining loose pipes like this is crucial. Because the pipe joints go through intense depletion and may suddenly fail and ultimately raise the possibility of flooding. So, make sure to strap and tighten the position of the pipes.
Insulating The Water Lines
If your water lines are close to each other, they may clash to make banging sounds. The best way to equalize their clash damage and muffle the sound is to insulate them with cloth or foam surroundings.
Other Solutions
Sometimes, noisy hammers may occur due to excessive pressure supply in your home. If the prior solutions don’t dampen the water hammer, then you should check the water pressure of your home with a gauge. Consider installing a pressure regulator in the main water supply line if the pressure is above fifty psi.
Moreover, If the water heater or the washing machine water hammer arrestor stopped working in your home, then replacing them is the first option. If that doesn’t fix it, return the arrestor and try adding a new room (eg extension tanks) to contain the excess pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do water hammer arrestors go bad?
Water hammer arrestors don’t usually go bad, but they sometimes become unable to suppress excess water hammer pressure. Then, try other solutions.
How long do water hammer arrestors last?
Hammer arrestors last longer than three years without any wear and tear defects. With other pressure management tools installed in your system, they will last a lot longer.
Can water hammer arrestors fail?
Yes, the water hammer arrestors may fail if the water pressure in your line is too excessive. In this case, try the other solutions discussed in our guide.
Do water arrestors stop working?
The water arrestors last longer than three years and longer if the water supply pressure in your home is not excess. However, they may seem insufficient if you have loose pipe fittings or clashing pipes. We have discussed how to solve them in our guide.
How to test a water hammer arrestor?
There is no particular plumbing practice to test the integrity of a water hammer arrestor. However, an unconventional way to test it is to switch on the adjacent valve to the arrestor and see if banging noise appears.
How do you fix a water hammer arrestor?
There is no way to repair a hammer arrestor. Although, you can remove it by untwisting it with a hand or an adjustable wrench. Also, sometimes the problem may lie elsewhere where an arrestor is not enough to dampen the sound or shake. Go through our guide to resolve your issue.
Final Thoughts
Water hammer noises are initially startling. But day by day, the situation gets annoying to the point when you have no option but to install suppressors. And, sometimes, we have to seek other solutions due to the water hammer arrestor not working sufficiently to silence the clangs. We included all the best plumbing practices in our guide.
Finally, with the hope that our guide helps you live peacefully in your home and rid you of the infuriating hammers, we conclude this guide here. We will see you again with more household solutions. Until then, stay happy and safe.
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