Do
you hear banging, clanging, creaking, and other unusual noises whenever you turn
on the tap, water heater, or any water supply fixture? Well, one thing is for certain:
your pipes shouldn’t be making those noises at all. Fortunately, there are ways
to fix them.
PopularMechanics.com
contributor Pat Porzio relays a simple advice: if your pipes are held by old-fashioned
metal clamps, replace those with plastic ones which can expand and contract. These
specially designed clamps allow a bit of breathing room for pipes to vibrate, while
still holding them in place.
Home
improvement guru Bob Vila chips in as well, advising the use of pipe hangers or
plastic/nylon inserts. The latter works well in cushioning pipes running through
framing members, though they have to be installed as the plumbing system is being
laid out.
Installing
water hammer arresters can also help. These are intended for water hammer, a problem
characterized by loud, hammering sounds, which occur when a faucet or valve is abruptly
shut off. If left uncorrected, a water hammer can loosen and even completely destroy
fittings and valves. Water hammer arresters are small air chambers attached above
the water line, which act as cushioning agents that absorb water pressure as the
valve is shut off.
When
you hear a lot of unusual noises from your pipes, never ignore them. Such noises
may seem mundane, but in reality, they might be harbingers of bigger problems with
your home’s plumbing.
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