Water Hammer

Ever since we installed a new toilet we have been experiencing water hammer in another part of the house when we flush. I understand water hammer is the rattling in the pipes as water pass through them.

I believe that the new toilet has just enough increased flow when replenishing the bowl to cause the water hammer.

I was wondering if I could install a small inline restrictor to slightly reduce the flow to this toilet or possibly another device like the ones sold to resolve water hammer on washing machines?

Would sincerely appreciate any comments and/or suggestions.

Regards,

Drew Altemara

hammer

Go and listen where the rattle is loudest. You may just need to secure a loose pipe.

Thank you Plumber1. The problem is that the pipe is in a wall which is why I was asking about restricting flow to the toilet.

The last time this happened to my, somebody has turned down the valve to the torlet.

The rubber stuff in the valve must a been a flapping around because when I opened it up all the way, (with a little turn back) the hammer stopped.

Water hammer occurs when you quickly stop the flow of water - inertia tries to keep it moving, and when it can't that kinetic energy must be disipated somewhere - the pipe tries to continue to move, and bangs against something. If it happens while the water is flowing, it is not water hammer - it is something else vibrating. A loose washer in a valve can do this.

Well, this made me think, one way to examine this is to partially shut the valve to restrict flow and then observe water hammer. And then open it up to "full throttle" and see what happens.

We may have to experiment a little and report.

Comments/Suggestions?

Drew Altemara

You can install a hammer arrestor on the line before it goes into the wall and that should fix the problem

I have high pressure in my house around 110 lbs. Because I am a plumber I have turned down the chrome stop valves until it slowed the water enough to stop the water hammer. Mad Plumber is correct. Some valves are not very tolerent of doing this and can cause it's own water hammer. Try your experiment and report back. By the way what is your water pressure in your house. Remember that the ballcock is rated for a certain pressure which won't cause a water hammer condition.