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Noisy Pipes
Pipe noises range from
loud hammering sounds to
high-pitched squeaks.
The causes may be loose
pipes, water logged air
chambers, or water
pressure that's too
high. Anchoring exposed
pipes is a simple
solution; other remedies
such as anchoring pipes
concealed inside walls,
floors or ceilings, may
call for a professional.
Banging
Pipes are usually
anchored with pipe
straps every 6 to 8 feet
for horizontal runs, 8
to 10 feet for vertical.
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If your pipes bang when you turn on the water, you may need to
add straps, cushion
the pipes with a
rubber blanket, or
both.
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When you anchor a pipe-especially a plastic one-leave room for
expansion.
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Don't use galvanized straps on copper pipes.
Squeaking
Only hot water pipes
squeak. As the pipe
expands, it moves in its
strap, and friction
causes the squeak.
Solution: Cushion it as you would a
banging pipe.
Water Hammer
This noise occurs when
you turn off the water
at a faucet or an
appliance quickly. The
water flowing through
the pipes slams to a
stop, causing a
hammering noise.
Check for:
Remedy:
Check for:
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Faulty air chambers. These lengths of pipe, installed behind
fixtures and
appliances, hold air
that cushions the
shock when flowing
water is shut off.
They can get filled
with water and lose
their effectiveness.
Remedy:
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To restore air to the chambers, turn off the water at the main
shutoff valve. Open
all the faucets to
drain the system.
Close the faucets
and turn the water
on again. The air
chambers should fill
with air.
Check for:
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Water pressure
that's above 80 psi
(pounds per square
inch).
Remedy:
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To lower the pressure, install a pressure-reducing valve (you
can call in a
plumber to do the
work if this is a
job you don't want
to do yourself).
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