Banging Pipes!

[benny1964]

Can anyone tell me why my cold water supply pipe bangs from time to time (ie several times a day). I've tried closing the stopcock slightly but this hasn't helped. Any ideas??

[jocky]

This is known as water hammer and occurs when the cold water tap is turned off quickly thus causing a sudden increase in pressure in the pipe which inturn causes the pipe to vibrate.
Check for loose pipework which should be clipped at distances of a min 1.2m apart horizontally and 1.5m virtically.

[peanut]

or just turn the water off a bit slower

[benny1964]

Thanks Jocky and Peanut - the only problem is it's not when I turn the tap off. It just happens of its own accord. I'll check for loose pipes though.

[peanut]

ive also heard of this happening because of air trapped in the pipes.

[benny1964]

Cheers!

[lembo121]

It might not be related to your mains water pipework. It could be related to you heating.

[benny1964]

It's wierd though that the heating isn't on and the banging is very close to where the stop-**** is. It's as though the external pressure is dropping/increasing. Maybe I'll check the neighbours to see if they get it too.

[ianess]

We sometimes are aware of a similar situation, often late at night, when it can only be related to our next-door neighbours use of water. It can be a bit weird at times but there has to be a bit of movement somewhere in the mains pipe.

[benny1964]

I'm glad I'm not the only person it's happening to. I was beginning to think I was. It's so annoying and it's got worse recently.

[Hard@it]

See oldmegan 26/06/06 Home and Garden

[benny1964]

Thanks Hard@it. I'll have to get the plumber round for this one! Cheers.