Have you ever heard a loud thump in your plumbing lines when turning off a faucet or flushing a toilet? If so, you’ve likely identified water hammer — an annoying and potentially dangerous problem that can occur when the flow of water is suddenly stopped.
Water hammer occurs when water flow in a plumbing system is suddenly stopped or redirected, causing a loud banging noise and potentially damaging pipes and fittings. Read more here to learn what causes banging pipes and how to stop it.
Thankfully, there are products available to combat this issue: water hammer arrestors. This blog offers an overview of hammer arrestors, including how they work, appropriate applications, and Oatey’s hammer arrestor offerings.
Keep reading to learn more about how these devices work and why they might be the perfect solution for your water hammer problems!
Understanding water hammer arrestors
Hammer arrestors help solve current and potential water hammer problems by silencing banging pipes and absorbing the shock after a change in water flow. When water flows through pipes at a pressure of around 60 to 70 psi (pounds per square inch), it carries energy that needs to be dissipated when the faucet is closed abruptly. This sudden stoppage creates a phenomenon known as a water hammer, which can cause pipes to shake or bang against walls.
Oatey offers Hammer Arrestors for multiple or single fixture installations ranging in sizes from AA through F. Oatey Hammer Arrestors accommodate pipe connections that include CPVC, 1807 PEX, 1960 PEX (Uponor), copper (sweat and press), male iron pipe, and compression applications. Oatey Hammer Arrestors are gas-filled and can be installed at any angle without affecting performance.
It’s important to note that water hammer arrestors require properly secured pipes. The arrestor may only partially absorb the energy if the surrounding water supply pipe is not rigid and securely fastened. Loose pipes will still allow energy dissipation, resulting in shaking and potential damage. Proper pipe support, like insulators and securing pipes through studs, is crucial to ensure the energy is directed towards the arrestor and not transmitted through loose pipe sections.
Ensuring the entire water supply pipe is securely fastened is essential for the arrestor to function effectively. Understanding how water hammer arrestors work and their applications can help ensure safe and efficient plumbing operations.
What water hammer arrestor works best for my application?
Water hammer arrestors, like Oatey's Quiet Pipes, create space for the water to move when there is a shock but feature a piston design in a sealed pressurized chamber to prevent water from remaining in the arrestor. This design also allows the water hammer arrestors to be installed at any angle and absorb shock.
The internal piston creates a watertight/airtight seal to avoid any air loss and prevent the chamber from filling with water. Quiet Pipes come in nine connection types, including MIP, CPVC, PEX, and more.
Oatey® Quiet Pipes® Hammer Arrestors Size AA: These fittings are offered for straight and washing machine, PEX tee, compression tee, and female compression tee connections. For residential purposes, these fittings are available in eight sizes.
Oatey® Quiet Pipes® Washing Machine Supply Shock Absorber threads easily onto your supply valve, connecting to your washing machine hose. The washing machine supply shock absorber is an AA size in a tee shape.
Oatey Quiet® Pipes Hammer Arrestors Size A-C: Oatey® Quiet Pipes® Hammer Arrestors Size A, B, and C are offered for CPVC socket ASTM D 2846 and ASTM PEX F1807 crimp, and ASTM PEX F1960 grip connections.
Check out our project guide to learn How to Install Hammer Arrestors to Silence Banging Pipes.
If water hammer is left untreated, they can lead to various issues that range from minor annoyances to significant damages. One of the worst-case scenarios is the potential for leaks.
If there are any weaknesses in the joints of the water system, whether due to improper soldering or incomplete installation steps, the repeated force of the water hammer can cause joints to blow apart. This can result in a wide-open water pipe and extensive water damage in your house.
Regular maintenance, proper installation, and water hammer arrestors can help prevent these problems and ensure the longevity and integrity of the water supply system.