Shower k**b hammers when turn off?

Question

Bath/Shower k**b turns counter-clockwise from cold to hot. When I turn the k**b off quickly (from either hot or cold) it makes 1 loud bang. When I turn it off slowly it feels more like a click (not much sound).

I would love to be able to do this myself and not get a plumber in. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Your house may already have a water hammer arrestor installed, but over time it filled with water and is no longer effective. I would recommend first trying to drain the water lines in your house. You do this by:

1) Shut off the water at the valve where it enters the house.

2) Find the lowest faucet in the house(mine is in the laundry

      in the basement).

3) Open the faucet and one higher to help it drain faster.

4) Close the faucets and turn on the water.

5) Let the water run until the air bubbles are gone.

6) See if the hammering stops.

If ts does not work then you may need to install an arrestor. You can buy these at hardware stores, Home depot etc. There are some that will even hook to the washing machine hose bibs. Here is one link I found: http://www.accentshopping.com/product~P_...

Shop around though, as I thought this one was a bit expensive.

Answer 2

here in my part of town <so cal>, houses do not come with water hammer arrestors.  most of the time, i have found pipes insufficiently strapped which bang or rattle when faucets are shut off quickly.  

it generally takes two people. one to create the problem while the other goes in search of loose banging pipes to be strapped.

Answer 3

You just need a preassure relief arrestor put on your water line..... this will take care of the problem!!!!!!!

It is just because you have too much pressure in the line and your pipes"knock" when you turn them off!!

Answer 4

The cartridge on that shower is worned and needs to be replace.  What ever that brand is...most cartridges cost about $20-30.  Since u asking for help to diagnose the problem.  U must turn the water off and take apart the shower valve.  Pull the cartridge out and take it to the hardware store to get the exact type.  Good Luck.

Answer 5

the momentum of the water moving throught the pipe causes a brief period of high pressure. if the pipes are long and straight then this is magnified. putting a couple of joints/ bends in somewhere helps. maybe try turning the cold pressure down from the mains, but this may impede the pressure elsewhere in the house.

Answer 6

Jigi has all you need to know. You need to fix the problem because eventually you will hammer one of your pipes apart and have one heck of a leak..No kiddin'