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Participant

Join Date: Jun 2009
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Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/22/2009 9:16 AM

I shut off the water to my home, drained all the faucets and flushed all the toilets.

Then I closed all the faucets and turned on the main line.

Flushed the toilet and the knocking continued.

I switched out the the parts within the tank, flushed, and guess what? Still knocks.

So I am at your mercy. Can anyone help me.

Thank you,

Ernie

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#1

Re: Knocking water pipes

06/22/2009 10:16 AM

What you have is 'water hammer'. You need to find an accessible location near the top of the branch of the site of the hammer. You may have to open a wall, like opposite your shower valves. Tee up from there and increase the size of a stub to 3/4" by about a foot with a capped end, creating an air chamber. Add pipe clamps when you're done to reduce rattling. If your not familiar with this kind of work, a good plumber will be cheaper in the long run.

If the hammering returnes after a few months, drain that plumbing branch again to restore the air cushion in the stub.

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#8
In reply to #1

Re: Knocking water pipes

06/23/2009 2:43 AM

Thanks for the advise. I will try it.

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#2

Re: Knocking water pipes

06/22/2009 10:44 AM

water hammer arrestor is designed to absorb that knocking , its available with different sizes for different water flows , it's available in big plumbing warehouses. You can consult good plumber to chose the suitable one .

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#3

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/22/2009 10:45 PM

On the other hand, it is entirely possible to have a slightly loose faucet washer that doesn't leak but will cause knocking with pressure variations. A "gremlin" washer may be laughing nearby.

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Associate

Join Date: Jun 2009
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#4

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 12:22 AM

If anyone figures it out, let me know. I have tried endlesly to correct this prob. No such -uck!

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Anonymous Poster
#6
In reply to #4

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 2:13 AM

Hi,

If the knocking sound is heard when one opens a tap, the cause is a spinning washer and spindle. Remove the washer and spindle, hit the spindle with a hammer until it fits snugly in its hole.....if the washer needs replacing..do it too. The noise that a spinning washer makes is unbelievable!

Jurie

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#5

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 1:15 AM

We still don't know when the knocking occurs. Some water hammer is caused by turning water off, and some is caused by water flowing at a speed through a valve that causes resonant knocking. Before attacking the plumbing to add an air chamber, I would suggest turning the main water control valve a bit in either direction and see if that has any effect.

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#18
In reply to #5

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 3:18 PM

Good answer!

Thats what I would do. It happened to me once. A valve was partially closed and when I opened it, the hammer stopped.

Peace

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#7

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 2:27 AM

Try it again, this time however after draining the system leave the faucets open. Then open the mainline and starting at the lowest point turn off the faucets until reaching the highest point in the system to bleed the air out. Then you may isolate the offending location and fix as others have described.

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#9

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 4:42 AM

I agree with Planinurus - it could be one of your faucet washers - check it out. I had a similar problem to yours and the plumber sorted out the washer. Good luck!

Dhiru Soni

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Anonymous Poster
#10

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 7:17 AM

I had the same problem after installing a tank-less water heater, solved by installing an air chamber that I purchased at a local home improvement store.

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#11

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 7:23 AM

Loose pipes will often knock.

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#12
In reply to #11

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 9:59 AM

I concur with the possiblity of loose pipes.

Pipe hangers can be snug to the point that the sliding/binding pipe (with temperature change) will cause a noise similar to a knock (a ping if copper). There are various hanger products available to mitigate this (hangers with material that allows movement)

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/151927/quiet_your_noisy_plumbing_pipes.html

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#17
In reply to #11

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 2:27 PM

Correct, even long runs (more than 1 yard or meter) can give problems. As can sharp turns that are unsupported......

If the system is seperated with valves into say 4 seperate bits, you can test each part in turn to find out when/where the problem is......

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Anonymous Poster
#13

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 10:34 AM

1) You shoud've left your faucets and supply valves "OPEN" when you turned the Main back on

2) Chances are that it is not Airtrapped in the pipes but simply the inertia of the flowing water causing the pipes to move where there is a loose vertical section in balance with an elbow at the end of a run... You need to locate this. (press your ear to an inverted tumbler held against the wall) then you need to open the drywall and anchor the section (near the 90 degree elbow).

I install large water mains(up to 96") and we put "Thrust Blocks" at the down stream side of each turn to prevent this lateral movement... It can be very damaging to the integrity of the piping...

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#14

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 11:05 AM

Your problem is probably a water hammer and is solved as noted by the other replies, but one other thing you should check is water pressure. If the pressure is too high, not only will you get water hammer, but it will also cause premature failure of faucets and solenoid valves (as found in dishwashers, washing machines and ice makers). Water pressure should be around 35 PSI and can be checked by putting a gauge on an outside faucet that has a water hose connection. The water department can also check it for you.

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#16
In reply to #14

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 11:51 AM

35 PSI may be too low for many users. Water Departments in our area are required to provide between 40-80 PSI range for proper fire flow and best operation of many appliances.

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#15

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

06/23/2009 11:47 AM

Dear Ernie:

What you have is known as water hammer. It's caused by air trapped in one of your pipes, and yes it can drive you crazy. You have to find which pipe has a high point where you could accumulate an air bubble. You change the inclination of the pipe so that water pressure can eliminate the bubble by itself.

That's all, good luck.

Gerald Rosenbaum.

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Anonymous Poster
#19

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

09/22/2010 5:56 PM

That's really difficult!

If you are looking for a place where some one can fix it try

this information http://www.plumberirvine.org/

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Anonymous Poster
#20

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

09/22/2010 6:00 PM

If you are still experiencing this kind of problem even though you tried the resolutions try this link below it may provide you great solution!

Regards

<a href="http://www.plumberirvine.org/">plumbing irvine</a>

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Anonymous Poster
#21

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

09/22/2010 6:04 PM

you still experienced the problem don't waste your time and click the link below and we will do it for you.

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#22

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

10/28/2010 7:22 PM

I am a plumber for Watermark Plumbing in Vancouver BC.

The problem you are experiencing may not be related to your toilet but instead your pressure.
The first thing you should check is your house Pressure. Do you have a working PRV after your main water shut off?
Check the pressure by putting a gauge on the cold shut off for your washing machine. Your pressure should be somewhere around 50 or 60 PSI. If it is much higher than that, then pressure may be causing your water hammering. If you do not have a PRV or your PRV is no longer working you should have a new one installed. The part is around $50 - $60 CAN.
Your washing machine and dishwasher should also have hammer arresters to prevent water hammering when the appliances valves shut off.

www.watermarkplumbing.ca
www.gaswaterheater.ca
www.electricwaterheater.ca

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Anonymous Poster
#23

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

12/15/2010 4:46 PM

install a hammer arrester on the cold tap behind the washing machine tap

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#24

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

01/03/2011 5:10 AM

Sad to say,you need a plumber expert,I suggest that you visit this site for more information regarding our problem.http://northlasvegasplumbers.org

north las vegas plumber

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Anonymous Poster
#25

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

01/24/2011 9:45 PM

Ernie, when I had an emergency such as yours I called a local Sydney plumbing business, Pipe Perfection. They are expert plumbers and truly helped me out. Whether you need just one plumber or a n whole army of them I think they can help. I hope you can get the problem solved!

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Anonymous Poster
#26

Re: Plumbing Problems - Knocking Water Pipes

02/17/2011 12:45 PM

The water hammer problem is a common one that sometimes occurs when there is a sudden change in water pressure in the domestic water supply. This can happen for various reasons. Your city water pressure can change when a new pumping station is added to the system to increase pressure in some areas, or you could have added or removed fixtures to your homes plumbing. The solution for this issue is quite simple. Simply add what is called an arrestor to the outlet side of your laundry valve and the problem should stop. If the problem persists, you may need to open a wall near the location of the sound to add an arrestor to the piping.

For answers to other plumbing related issues visit Mr Pipes Plumbing at www.mrpipesplumbing.com

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Participant

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#27

Burbank Plumbing

12/06/2012 2:01 AM

Burbank Plumbing from Neighborhood Plumber & Rooter will serve all your Plumbing needs, you can call us @ (818) 779-7700 for any Plumbing requirement or visit us at www.neighborhoodplumber.com

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