The plumbing pipes in your home often make creaking or groaning noises as the temperature fluctuates or water moves through. While some sounds are common, others can be cause for concern.

Any loud banging sound that you hear when you turn off a faucet or an appliance starts to draw water is referred to as a water hammer.

A water hammer has the potential to cause damage to your plumbing pipes and valves over time. Here are three simple ways that you can eliminate a water hammer to protect the pipes in your home.

1. Secure Any Loose Pipes

You want your pipes to be nice and secure within your home. Water hammers can be more detrimental to pipes that are loose, so securing loose pipes can help you protect your plumbing system.

Tighten any pipe straps that are loose, install additional pipe straps when more support is needed, and wrap your pipes with an insulating product. Insulation can help absorb the shock that passes through your pipes when a water hammer occurs.

Secure pipes can reduce the potential for a water hammer and help you extend the life of your plumbing system.

2. Install an Air Chamber

Water hammers are typically caused by the sudden stop of the flow of water in a pipe. Water slams against the valve that closes to stop the flow, which produces the loud banging sound associated with a water hammer.

An air chamber can help protect your valves against damage. Air chambers are designed to give flowing water an alternate route.

Most air chambers are vertical pipes that are installed near problematic valves. When the valve closes, the water flows up into the vertical air chamber until it loses momentum. This will prevent the momentum of the flowing water from slamming against the closed valve.

Your plumber will be able to install an air chamber to eliminate any water hammer plaguing your home.

3. Install an Arrestor

Some plumbing systems can't accommodate the installation of an air chamber. Fortunately, you can install a mechanical water arrestor instead.

An arrestor contains an air bladder and a spring. When water is forced to stop abruptly, the arrestor will absorb the resulting shockwave to prevent it from reverberating back through your pipes.

Your plumber will be able to identify any joints that are at risk of creating a water hammer. A mechanical water arrestor can then be installed to help eliminate the water hammer and extend the life of your pipes. For more info or for assistance, contact a company like Triangle Plumbing Service.