If you are considering installing a water hammer arrester in your home, you need to know how to install it properly. This article will discuss how to install a water hammer arrester and how to size it properly. We’ll also discuss how to repair a rattled water hammer arrester. Follow these steps to install a water hammer arrester safely and effectively.
Installation of a water hammer arrester
A water hammer is an unwanted noise that is caused by sudden changes in water pressure. Depending on its severity, a water hammer may be caused by several things, including the water supply valve, sprinkler system, or a lightning rod. Lightning rods absorb the shockwave that occurs when water flow suddenly stops. Water hammer arresters can be installed on pipes that feed interfering appliances.
Before selecting a water hammer arrester, it is important to understand the sizing process. Generally speaking, the size of a water hammer arrester depends on the number of fixtures and branch lines in the installation. Using Table 2 and PDI symbols on riser diagrams, the engineer or contractor can select the proper size. Water hammer arresters should be installed at the end of a branch line between the last two fixtures served by the system.
Installation of water hammer arresters is mandatory for homes that have quick-closing valves. However, each code has its definition of what is considered a quick-closing valve. Washing machines and dishwashers were historically considered quick-closing valves. Installation of a water hammer arrester requires a panel accessible from inside the house. Some systems require maintenance, servicing, or replacement, so it is worth checking the installation before proceeding with the installation.
Sizing of a water hammer arrester
Most water hammer arrester applications involve individual runs of piping for one or more fixtures. Sizing a water hammer arrester depends on the type of piping system and location, as well as the water hammer wave energy. Table 1 lists the values commonly used in sizing water hammer arresters. The values are taken from the PDI-WH201 standard and may be used as a guide when sizing your water hammer arrester.
Sizing a water hammer arrester depends on the amount of Fixture-Units and fixtures in the piping system. Industrial applications are usually large. These types of systems include industrial machinery, commercial laundry, up-feed pump systems, irrigation, and waste treatment systems. To size a water hammer arrester for these industrial applications, you can use a simple equation. This equation is available as a computer spreadsheet. In homes, you may also want to consider installing point-of-use arresters on the hot and cold lines.
A water hammer arrester can help to prevent the problem by reducing the speed of flowing water. The water hammer can also be caused by excess pressure. If your water hammer arrester is not effective, you can use a pressure regulator to reduce the pressure. An expansion tank may be required to accommodate the pressure regulator. It is important to know how to properly size a water hammer arrester to avoid the need for additional piping.
Fixing a rattled water hammer arrester
If you’ve heard that annoying, rattling sound coming from the faucet in your kitchen or bathroom, you may be experiencing a water hammer. Besides causing a lot of noise, water hammers can also damage your plumbing and appliances. In the worst-case scenario, you could have a burst pipe. Fortunately, most cases of water hammers are easily fixable, and you can do it yourself without professional help.
If the problem has nothing to do with the faucet, you can try adjusting the AA-size water hammer arrester to make it quieter. This small device works as a buffer and absorbs the shock caused by the water hammer. To install a water hammer arrester, locate the lowest faucet in your home, usually the garden hose faucet. Open the faucet for five minutes and shut it. You can also install one near other fixtures to stop hammering.
Another possible cause of water hammers is excessive pressure. In such cases, you can increase the water supply, which will help slow down the water. You may also need to install a pressure regulator. You might also need an expansion tank. This may be more effective than a water hammer arrester. The pressure regulator will prevent water hammers by reducing the water pressure, but you need to install it properly.
