My pipes are shaking and water is pulsating...

Question

Almost once a day now when I flush the toilet and turn the water on at the sink - suddenly my pipes shake and make a lot of noise. It also happens when the washer is on and I turn water on somewhere else in the house. I saw a lot of questions and answers related to "Water Hammer"... Is this something that we can easily remedy ourselves? or is this something that I should call a plumber about?

Thanks!

Answer 1

It is water hammering, you might want to call a plumber. They also sell things that you can put on your pipes to prevent that on Home Depot if you know how to do some plumbing yourself.  

Answer 2

Hi, Just to clarify for me and everyone else, does the noise happen when you turn the water on or off? In other words while the water is running? Or when you turn the faucet off. It makes a vast difference on the answers.

   Hi again. Saw your post that it happens when the water is on. The only time water hammer happens is when a valve of some sort is shut off abruptly. Water in the pipe has an inertia and it kind of bounces in the pipe making the hammering noise.

   I am thinking that if you are on city water the noise may be coming from either the backflow preventer or the meter. Try to find either one and listen closely to them as it should be obvious. If you are on a well system look for your pressure tank being what is called airlocked. In this case it is a serious problem and must be attended to as soon as possible. Like today. It can cause your pressure tank to split or worse case the pump to go out. Or some broken plumbing. If the pressure tank is a diaphram type it means that the diaphram has failed and the tank needs replacement. If it is just a pressure tank with no diaphram it is a simple matter to just add some air. Turn off the pump and drain some water out of the pipes by attaching an air hose to the fitting on top of the tank and pumping some air in until you hear it bubbling out the supply line. This is done with an air compressor. Once the tank has air in it turn off all water spigots and turn on the pump. You are good to go.

Answer 3

Call your plumber and have him install a "Hammer Arrester"....that will stop the problem.

Answer 4

I would eye ball the appliances the water valves in the appliances can do this even when not in use. D/W and washers both will cause what you talk about. I would try turning off the hose bibs to the washer and shut off the water to the d/w under the kitchen sink for a while and see if it stops the problem, then you can go from there.  

Answer 5

you may have loose pipes. make sure they are properly strapped down. and install a water hammer. it will cost you about 20 bucks and is easy to install