Do you hear loud banging, rattling, or knocking noises when someone turns off a faucet, uses the washing machine, or runs the dishwasher?
Many homeowners assume the pipes are loose inside the walls. While that can happen, one of the most common causes is water hammer—a sudden pressure surge that occurs when flowing water stops abruptly.
Besides being annoying, water hammer can place unnecessary stress on your plumbing system. Over time, these repeated pressure spikes may damage valves, fittings, appliances, and even lead to leaks.
For this home in West Los Angeles, the homeowner had been dealing with rattling pipes throughout the house. After inspecting the plumbing system, we discovered the original installation was missing important components that help absorb pressure changes. Our team corrected the issue by installing a properly sized thermal expansion tank and water hammer arresters, then tested the entire system to ensure everything was operating quietly and safely.
The result was a much smoother plumbing system with significantly reduced pipe movement and noise.
What Causes Water Hammer?
Water hammer happens when water moving through your pipes suddenly stops. The force has nowhere to go, creating a shock wave that travels through the plumbing system.
Common signs include:
– Loud banging or knocking pipes
– Pipes vibrating inside the walls
– Noise when toilets or faucets shut off
– Washing machine or dishwasher causing pipe movement
– Repeated rattling throughout the home
These symptoms shouldn’t be ignored because they can indicate excessive pressure within the plumbing system.
How We Fix It
Depending on the home’s plumbing layout, solutions may include:
– Installing water hammer arresters
– Adding a properly sized thermal expansion tank
– Adjusting excessive water pressure
– Replacing worn pressure regulators
– Correcting improper plumbing installations
Every home is different, which is why a professional diagnosis is the best way to identify the root cause rather than simply treating the symptoms.
If your home’s plumbing is noisy, shakes the walls, or produces loud banging sounds, Pacific Plumbing Team can identify the cause and recommend the right solution to protect your plumbing system for years to come.
Pacific Plumbing Team proudly provides water hammer repair, expansion tank installation, water pressure regulator replacement, plumbing diagnostics, leak repair, and residential plumbing services throughout West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Culver City, Venice, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, El Segundo, and surrounding communities.