Our house is 5 years old and about a month ago the refrigerator water line started banging between the wall and the refrigerator. It is very loud and you can watch the line jump. It happens about when water is turned off in the house, either the sink, toilet or washer. It only happens about 20% of the time, but when it does, it is loud. The toilets also started making random noises about the same time. It sounds like water is turning off and on in the tank. I put blue dye in the tank to see if I had a leak in to the bowl. So far, none of the dye has run into the bowl. Any ideas?:confused:

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Originally Posted by Miker

Our house is 5 years old and about a month ago the refrigerator water line started banging between the wall and the refrigerator. It is very loud and you can watch the line jump. It happens about when water is turned off in the house, either the sink, toilet or washer. It only happens about 20% of the time, but when it does, it is loud. The toilets also started making random noises about the same time. It sounds like water is turning off and on in the tank. I put blue dye in the tank to see if I had a leak in to the bowl. So far, none of the dye has run into the bowl. Any ideas?:confused:

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Ah Miker, What you have is called "water Hammer" and there's a simple repair that the average homeowner can do himself.
Back in the 60's we were required to to put shock absorbers,(air chambers) on all bath lavatorys and kitchen sinks. Over time water and condensate built up in them and they must be recharged. First turn off the house at the main house shut off valve. Then open hot and cold faucets at the farthest bathroom to prevent air lock.(This is important.) You will find under each fixture little brass or chrome valves. These are called angle stops. With a small pail held under the angle stop to catch the run off look under the handle of the stop and you will see a nut with the stem running through it. This is called the bonnet packing nut. Put your wrench on it and back it off counterclockwise. Now open the stop and remove the stem and washer assembly, The stop will begain to drain. When it has quit draining reassemble the stop and move on to the next one. Do this on each one of your angle stops. There will be six of them in a two bath home.. When you are done, close off the faucets you have opened, turn on the water to the house, and give yourself a pat on the back.
You have just recharged your air chambers and saved yourself a hefty service call bill. Good luck, Tom

Thanks, I'll try it tonight when I get home.

I drained the water just as advised and the noise stopped. WOW, that was a very easy fix for a problem that was driving us crazy.