First Off I'm a carpenter and don't know much about wells and pumps. I built a new house about two years ago. About a year ago I started having a water hammer problem. It seemed to get worse over time. It seemed to me it was a pressure problem, Too much pressure. My well is about 150 feet deep and it's about 200 ft from the house. I lowered the pressure cut offs on the square d pressure switch to about 55, it was originally 60. This solved the problem for about 2 weeks. The water hammer is starting to happen again. I checked the switch and found out it is a 40/60 switch. Is it possible to lower this to a 30/50 setting? I still think its a pressure problem. THANKS FOR any help
Water Hammer Problem
- Thread starter slagger
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Speedbump
Active Member
Water hammer is not caused by the pressure the switch is set for. Water hammer occurs for a number of reasons.
You may have a bad check valve causing the problem. This check valve is of course in the pump, so you can't easily inspect it. If you have a check valve upstairs by the tank, you should remove it. It may be masking another problem down the well or in the line to the house.
bob...
You may have a bad check valve causing the problem. This check valve is of course in the pump, so you can't easily inspect it. If you have a check valve upstairs by the tank, you should remove it. It may be masking another problem down the well or in the line to the house.
bob...
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Thanks Bob
The check valve must be in the pump but the pump is only two years old. Also if the pressure has nothing to do with the water hammer problem why when I lowered it the problem went away for about two weeks? Could the distance to the well have anything to do with it?
The check valve must be in the pump but the pump is only two years old. Also if the pressure has nothing to do with the water hammer problem why when I lowered it the problem went away for about two weeks? Could the distance to the well have anything to do with it?
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R
Rancher
Guest
Where are you hearing this water hammer?
Rancher
Rancher
Mostly when the washer is on, its a high efficiency model and when the upstairs shower tub is on. It seems it happens more when the hot water is used, if that makes a difference. The pipes are banging in the basement. I read somewhere about the distance to the well could affect the pressure. Would a flow control valve help?
R
Rancher
Guest
Maybe the house was build without water hammer reducers, they make the kind that just screws into the washer hose bib fitting, you could try that. It could be that just over time the pipes have working themselves looser and there is no other cause for this problem.
Rancher
Rancher
Bob NH
In the Trades
The washer is the siganal of what the problem is.
Water hammer occurs when flow is stopped quickly. The energy of the flow must be dissipated and it makes noise. The higher the velocity, the greater the water hammer.
Washers control flow with electric solenoid valves. Solenoid valves close quickly. You can cut down the water hammer by throttling the flow to reduce the velocity, but it will take longer to fill the washer.
Water hammer is often greater in hot water lines because the hot water lines are usually longer. Cold water lines are often tapped off nearer the source.
You may be able to reduce the hammering by adding a small expansion chamber near the washer. They are like a small closed-end pipe with a bladder in it.
Water hammer occurs when flow is stopped quickly. The energy of the flow must be dissipated and it makes noise. The higher the velocity, the greater the water hammer.
Washers control flow with electric solenoid valves. Solenoid valves close quickly. You can cut down the water hammer by throttling the flow to reduce the velocity, but it will take longer to fill the washer.
Water hammer is often greater in hot water lines because the hot water lines are usually longer. Cold water lines are often tapped off nearer the source.
You may be able to reduce the hammering by adding a small expansion chamber near the washer. They are like a small closed-end pipe with a bladder in it.
Speedbump
Active Member
Well-X-Trol made water hammer arrestors many years ago and I'm sure they still do. You can hold them in one hand, they have 1/2" pipe male pipe thread and can be teed in anywhere you add a tee. If the problem is at the washer, add one by the washer, the problem should go away. I agree with Bob NH, the washer is probably the culprit.
bob...
bob...
Geniescience
Homeowner
it is normal for pipe stub water hammer arrestors to fill up with water after a number of years. Initially, they have air in them. When they get filled with water, they no longer work. They are pneumatic shock absorbers. They need air to work.
The air in them disappears as it gets dissolved in the pressurized pipe water. It takes over many months. Sometimes many years.
If they are filled up, it is easy to empty them and give them a whole new lease on life. You just need time. Turn off all the water in the house, and drain all your pipes. Just when you think there is no more water going to trickle out, a new trickle will come. Be patient. Some of your pipes may be horizontal, and draining them takes time. You can shake them when they are pretty much empty, and more water will trickle out. A half day later, you may be ready to fill your pipes again. If this doesn't work, try it again. Be patient. Go away for a day, and let the water trickle out. Water hammer arrestors are vertical pipes, and they have no "exit" so to empty them, air and water have to exchange (cross paths) in the middle of a 1/2" diameter pipe. Sometimes water won't flow. That is why it is a good idea to shake or vibrate your empty pipes.
david
The air in them disappears as it gets dissolved in the pressurized pipe water. It takes over many months. Sometimes many years.
If they are filled up, it is easy to empty them and give them a whole new lease on life. You just need time. Turn off all the water in the house, and drain all your pipes. Just when you think there is no more water going to trickle out, a new trickle will come. Be patient. Some of your pipes may be horizontal, and draining them takes time. You can shake them when they are pretty much empty, and more water will trickle out. A half day later, you may be ready to fill your pipes again. If this doesn't work, try it again. Be patient. Go away for a day, and let the water trickle out. Water hammer arrestors are vertical pipes, and they have no "exit" so to empty them, air and water have to exchange (cross paths) in the middle of a 1/2" diameter pipe. Sometimes water won't flow. That is why it is a good idea to shake or vibrate your empty pipes.
david
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