What is Water Hammer?
Water hammer is the term given to a particular noise that occurs within a plumbing system. When abrupt changes occur to the flow of the water supply on a property, the shock wave is what you’re hearing. The sudden changes in the flow of the direction of the water may stop but the water pressure continues, resulting in water hammer. At Network Plumbing, our water hammer plumbers near you are experienced in fixing water hammer issues, day or night.
Is Water Hammer Dangerous?
Water hammer problems can affect your hot water system, washing machine, gas line, plumbing appliances and your plumbing service in general. While hearing water hammer isn’t an emergency plumbing situation, leaving the water hammer issue could result in an emergency when the symptoms evolve and the pressure becomes too great. Water hammer, dangerous situations might occur. You could be at risk of dealing with burst pipes, reduced lifespan of your plumbing appliances and placing more stress on your plumbing system than is needed.
In our experience water hammer is the most common complaint with strata plumbing but all residential and commercial properties are at risk of water hammering. If you have pipes for either gas or water, you might have water hammer. Sometimes the hammering can be silent. Our Sydney plumbers near you are experts at stopping that banging and reducing your risk of dealing with a serious emergency plumbing situation.
Water Hammer and Your Hot Water System in Sydney
Water hammer can affect your hot water heater too. When you have a new hot water system installed, a licensed plumber will perform a water pressure test to safeguard your new hot water system. Excessive force will negatively impact your system. The tap connection will be placed under even more stress and in some cases, a high water pressure supply might void your manufacturers’ warranty. This might even apply to all your plumbing appliances, from a washing machine to taps in your house.
Why does Water Hammer seem to be more prevalent today? With the recent developments in tapware, we are now seeing many installations using quarter-turn operation or single lever mixers. Along with solenoid valves, found in automatic washing machines and dishwashers, the effect of water flow being rapidly shut down will increase the occurrence of Water Hammer on the systems. Due to water being a good conductor of sound, worn control valves can cause a tapping sound to transmit throughout the building due to the contact of brass on brass. Once again it can be very difficult to locate the offending valve.
Blocked Pipes
Any obstruction inside your plumbing system could be the reason you’re experiencing water hammer as the water tries to force through. Our blocked drain plumbers near you can help remove the blockage which may reduce water hammering.
Defective Control Valves
Due to water being a good conductor of sound, worn control valves can cause a tapping sound to transmit throughout the building due to the contact of brass on brass.
High Water Pressure
If your house is supplied with a high level of water pressure, your whole plumbing system is at greater risk. Sydney Water is water-wise but some suburbs are known for high levels of pressure coming from their water supply, resulting in water hammer within their water pipes.
Pipe Size That’s Too Small
If your pipes are too small for the flow of either a gas line or water, there will be even less room for the build-up of pressure to be released in any type of air chamber. An experienced plumber or gas fitter at Network Plumbing can help ensure you install pipes adequate for your plumbing needs.
Installation and Maintenance
Installation Process
1. Quickest Way To Diagnose
Our plumbers find utilising their drain camera is the quickest way to locate, assess and offer a solution for a drain problem.
3. High Accuracy
A professionally trained and skilled technician can inspect a drain and pin point any problems that may exist in just minutes, with no digging of your gardens or demolition of your driveway.
2. Inspect Hard To Access Areas
Specially made waterproof CCTV drain cameras allow for a visual inspection of drains, sewer lines and other pipes in places that are otherwise hard to access.
4. Cost-Effective - One Process
Using a drain camera helps to eliminate a few steps along the way. All the guesswork and major excavating can be a time-consuming process… with no guarantee at the end. A drain camera allows all parties to see, locate and assess. One process, not multiple ones… resulting in a fair price, without unnecessary works undertaken.
Damaged Water Pipe Connection
If your water pipes were not installed correctly and the connection points aren’t secure. When your plumbing system is placed under pressure, banging and hammering may occur due to these loose connections in pipes, or worse, you may end up with burst pipes.
Other Uses
Video cameras have also been used to locate lost jewellery and valuables. Next time you lose a ring to your sink, don’t give up hope! An inspection might save the day.
Monitor Performance
Keep track of the system’s performance to catch any issues early and maintain consistent hot water availability.
So if the plumber that you hired doesn’t use CCTV drain camera technology. Ask yourself “Are these people right for the job?” Now you know all the benefits using a drain camera can offer… make sure your plumber is using one. Let the experts at Network Plumbing worry about your drains, so you don’t have too! Call our team now to book in your CCTV inspection.
Comparison with Traditional Water Heating Systems
To better understand the value of a solar hot water system, it’s helpful to compare it with traditional water heating methods.
Efficiency, Cost, and Environmental Impact
Solar hot water heaters are known for their high efficiency, as they harness energy from the sun to heat water, resulting in lower energy bills over time. While the initial investment for a solar hot water system may be higher than traditional heaters, the long-term cost savings from reduced energy consumption often outweighs the upfront cost.
Additionally, solar hot water heaters have a significantly lower environmental impact compared to gas and electric heaters, as they rely on renewable solar energy rather than fossil fuels. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps combat climate change, making solar hot water heaters a more environmentally friendly choice.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Solar water heaters offer numerous benefits, such as harnessing renewable energy, achieving long-term cost-effectiveness, and decreasing dependency on non-renewable resources.
However, their efficiency may decrease on cloudy days or in regions with inadequate sunlight, limiting their suitability for every household due to installation restrictions. Furthermore, periodic maintenance and part replacements might be necessary to ensure optimal functioning.
Considering Making the switch?
As more households make the switch, there is a significant contribution to the collective effort of creating a more sustainable future. Whether through lowered energy bills, reduced environmental impact, or simply the joy of a warm guilt-free shower, the investment in a solar hot water system is an investment in the world we leave behind.
Call us today to discuss a solution that is best for your home, 0485 800 361
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