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    capthah's Avatar
    capthah Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Feb 4, 2008, 08:15 AM
    New House, noisy banging Pipes when water shut off.
    Pipes bang when you close Hot or Cold water. Would you say that the plumber failed to install airlocks at each faucet?

    capthah
    iamgrowler's Avatar
    iamgrowler Posts: 1,421, Reputation: 110
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    #2

    Feb 4, 2008, 08:54 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by capthah
    Pipes bang when you close Hot or Cold water. Would you say that the plumber failed to install airlocks at each faucet?

    capthah
    I think you mean 'air chambers' -- And since they are no longer required by code, it's likely the Plumber didn't install them.

    Banging pipes can be caused by a number of factors:

    Excessive water pressure.

    A system closed by a backflow preventer and the lack of an expansion tank.

    A malfunctioning check valve in a H/W recirculating system.

    Or even inadequately strapped water piping.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #3

    Feb 4, 2008, 09:32 AM
    Everything growler says makes sense. What type of piping does your home have?
    capthah's Avatar
    capthah Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Feb 4, 2008, 11:23 AM
    All copper pipes
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
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    #5

    Feb 4, 2008, 12:14 PM
    I would have my wife or kids open and close the offending faucets while I moved about the basement touching as many pipes as I can reach. Once you find a pipe that jolts when you close the faucet insulate the pipe with a plastic pipe hanger every 10" minimum. Sioux has add on air chambers that you can attach on a line or at the stop if you want to go that route. Maybe growler can explain to us why air chambers are not longer required by code. I am not clear on the rationale behind that change.
    wmy2k's Avatar
    wmy2k Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Feb 4, 2008, 06:38 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by capthah
    Pipes bang when you close Hot or Cold water. Would you say that the plumber failed to install airlocks at each faucet?

    capthah
    Could be as simple as a loose faucet washer also.
    iamgrowler's Avatar
    iamgrowler Posts: 1,421, Reputation: 110
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    #7

    Feb 4, 2008, 07:36 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ballengerb1
    Maybe growler can explain to us why air chambers are not longer required by code. I am not clear on the rationale behind that change.
    Because it's an unnecessary maintenance burden placed on the homeowner.

    If sized properly, strapped properly and the appropriate devices for the specific installation are installed (Pressure Reducing Valves, Expansion Tanks, Backflow Preventer's, Shock Arrestors, Check Valves, Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventer's etc.. . ), then air chambers aren't needed.

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