If your faucet knocks, there is a way to fix it.
Faucet knocking is a phenomena that occurs in many homes today due to an exchange of energy inside your plumbing. Various forces inside your plumbing come together to cause what many call a water hammer, because of it's unique, metallic banging sound. While it is not always a cause for concern, installing a certain valve stops the problem altogether.
Causes of Faucet Knocking
The knocking sound that occurs when the faucet is turned on and off is actually the pipes rattling against your walls or joists due to a change in the pressure in your plumbing lines. This sound does not come from the faucet itself nor does it affect the faucet's operation. In homes with iron pipes, this sound is often very loud and dull because iron is solid and heavy. The noise becomes even louder when the water pressure in the home is high. The more pressure that is in your system, the larger pressure change your pipes experience.
Pressure and Faucet Knocking
Your plumbing system operates because of water pressure inside the pipes. When the water comes on, water rushes out of the faucet because it is under pressure. The open valve lets the water rush out to relieve that pressure. When the faucet turns off, the water suddenly stops and pressure builds up again very suddenly. This pressure has nowhere to go, so it releases energy that makes your pipes rattle and shake.
Identifying Faucet Knocking
Faucet knocking is easy to identify, because it only occurs when the faucet shuts off suddenly. The closing of the faucet valve creates a backup of energy and pressure. If the faucet knocking occurs while the water is on, the problem is not due to pressure in the system. Your plumbing system may be faulty, or your water system failing. If the faucet itself has a loose part, such as a washer or cartridge, that should make a whistling or screeching sound instead.
Stopping Faucet Knocking
The only way to stop the pipes from knocking is to create an escape valve for the pressure. This valve goes on your pipes, and it acts as a cushion to stifle the pressure that is slamming your pipes around. The release valve is fairly simple to install, but you will need common plumbing skills to complete the job. If you are unfamiliar with plumbing, seek professional help for this project.
Related Posts:
What Causes Cold Water Pipes To Knock
When faucets are turned off, pipes can make a knocking sound.If you’ve ever been using cold or hot water and turned off the faucet suddenly, you may have heard a knocking sound somewhere in your p...
What Causes Pipes To Have A Knocking Sound When Water Is Turned On
Knocking pipes may burst the connectors and cause a leak.Knocking pipes can wake you up in the middle of the night or make showering into a noisy experience. These pipes can also be damaged by the...
My Kitchen Faucet Makes A Banging Noise
Kitchen faucet banging may require a plumber.Whether your kitchen faucet is an old standby or a brand new, top of the line model with all the bells and whistles, you may experience the sound of un...
What Makes A Sink Faucet Noisy When Turned On
When faucets make noise, several problems may exist.Sink faucets sometimes make noise when turned on because something is wrong with the faucet or the home's plumbing. These problems are common in...
What Is Wrong When My Water Faucet Is Sputtering
If your faucet isn't functioning as it should, it often indicates a plumbing problem that should be addressed.Sputtering faucets are often attributed to air in the pipes and ignored. If your fauce...
