The most commonly experienced problem in plumbing systems is the banging sounds emitted by pipes – called the water hammer. Water hammers however, is merely one of the various types of noises given off by a troublesome pipe line.
Water hammers are much easier to fix if you can actually see them. To do this, you first need to turn on the water supply, and carefully observe for any movement in the pipes. After you find the problem, you can prevent the pipes from hitting the walls or moving against each other. Even with pipes in between walls, the problem can be fixed without tearing apart your house. This may be done by simply putting foam insulation or padding at end areas where the pipe appears from behind the wall.
In cases where the noisy pipe is loose from its U-clamp or strap and is banging on the wall, secure it by inserting a patch of rubber or an old piece of cut garden hose behind the clamp. Another simple solution is to strap the pipes in order to fill in the space. Pipes that bang against a brick wall may also be silenced by fastening a block of wood in between the wall and the pipe.
Galvanized steel pipes in a crawl space or basement are usually suspended from joints by pipe straps. A lengthy suspended pipe may eventually move within its straps and may cause great noise from striking against something. Plumbing problem of this kind is strategically fixed by wedging a block of wood all through the run of the pipe.
An effective way of preventing water hammer beforehand is to anchor the pipes just right so that they can contract and expand with the changes in temperature. It is also advisable to put in a rubber buffer in between the pipes and brackets to avoid damage over time.
For more plumbing help, check out Plumbing Atlanta where you can find great DIY plumbing tips and metro Atlanta plumber reviews.