Hammering is a term that describes the knocking or vibrating noise that occasionally comes from water pipes. Find out what causes it and what to do if it is happening at your place.
Hammering noise caused by:
- pressure fluctuations caused by turning your taps off quickly
- the jumper valve in your tap is sticking.
Here's what to do:
- Please contact your local licensed plumber (if no works have been carried out in your area).
Hammering noise caused by:
- air in pipes, especially after maintenance work.
To find out if you have air in your pipes:
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Fill a glass with tap water.
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If the water in the glass looks milky, leave it for a few minutes.
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If the milky water clears from the bottom upwards, this indicates that water is full to tiny bubbles caused by air in your pipes.
Here's what to do after the work has been completed:
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Run water from the outside tap that is closest to your water meter. This will expel air in the pipes.
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Turn on your taps slowly, one at a time, to allow for any trapped air to escape.
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Leave the taps running until any milkiness or discolouration clears.
Helpful tips:
- Don't do any washing or use your dishwasher or washing machine until the discolouration clears.
- Make sure your water is completely clear before using any hot water, as dirty water can affect your hot water system.
- Running a tap for 5 minutes to clear your water uses on average 75 litres of water, which costs about 30 cents.
- Prevent wasting water by catching it in a bucket to use on your plants or garden.
