DIY Network

WEB-EXTRA: Water-Hammer Eliminator From "Ask DIY Home Improvement" episode DADH-110

	A plumbing tip from DIY home-improvement expert Jay Baker: A water hammer eliminator helps put an end to noisy pipes.
	Put a stop to water hammer problems caused by high water pressure with a water hammer arrester. This is basically a water shock absorber that is plumbed into your pipe using a T-connector.

Problem: One of the most annoying plumbing problems is water hammering, a loud knocking sound sometimes heard when a dishwasher or clothes washer is running. Turning on and off a faucet may also cause the hammering noise. Water hammering can be caused by loose pipes, improper water pressure or both.

Solution: Loose pipes can be remedied by securing them to a wall with pipe clamps. If the noise persists, you'll need to install a water hammer arrester to stop the racket. The eliminator works like an air chamber or shock absorber and is added inline to the plumbing system.

Materials:
water hammer arrester
Teflon tape
drill with drill bit and Philips-head bit
hammer
adjustable wrenches
pipe cutter
marker
bucket
soldering kit with torch, striker, lead-free solder, flux, steel wool
pipe clamp
hollow wall anchors with screws
copper fittings: female adapter, short pipe, 3/4"x1/2" T-fitting
safety glasses
gloves

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Figure A

Steps:

• Shut off the main water supply. Open the highest and lowest faucets in your home to allow the pipes to drain.

• Find a place where you can install the water hammer arrester. It can be installed horizontally or vertically, but try to place it near the location of the hammering. The space beneath a sink often works well. Place the T-fitting next to your pipe and mark the placement of your cuts (figure A).

• Cut out the pipe section with a pipe cutter. Wear safety glasses while cutting the pipe, and have a bucket handy to catch any water left in the pipe.

• Clean the cut ends with steel wool. Apply flux to the ends to allow the solder to flow into the joints. Repeat the process for the copper fittings.
  

  	Figure B
  	Figure C
  	Figure D

• Place the short piece of pipe in the base of the T-fitting, and put the female adapter on the other end of the short pipe (figure B).

• Insert the T-fitting between the two cut ends of your pipe and push them snugly into place (figure C).

• Using the torch, heat the fittings. If you are working near a wall, be sure to place a metal shield such as an old baking sheet between the flame and the wall. Don't forget your safety glasses and gloves. When the fitting is hot enough to melt the solder easily, push about an inch of solder into each joint (figure D ).

• Wrap the threads of the water hammer arrester with Teflon tape and hand-tighten it into the adapter.
  

  Figure E

• Hold the copper fittings in place with one wrench while you continue to screw the arrester into place with another wrench (figure E). Be careful not to overtighten; you can always go back and carefully tighten a little more if you find a leak.

• Make sure you turn off the highest and lowest faucets that you turned on earlier, and turn the water back on.

• Check all the joints for leaks and make any adjustments necessary.

• Install pipe clamps if necessary to snug rattling pipes against the wall. Mark the location for the clamps, then pre-drill holes and install wall anchors in the drywall.
  

  Figure F

• Switch to the screwdriver attachment and secure clamps to the wall anchors (figure F).

• Turn a faucet on and off quickly and enjoy the silence.
  

RESOURCES :

HGTV's Complete Fix-It
Author: HGTV

Do-It-Yourself Plumbing
Model: 0060101229
Author: Max Alth
Sterling Publishing, 1987 Out of Print

Plumbing for Dummies
Model: 0764551744
Author: Gene and Katie Hamilton
1999; Out of Print
IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. (An International Data Group Company)
Foster City, CA 94404