I have an office in a office/condo complex. A couple of weeks ago I had a plumber replace the "guts" of a toilet which was having flushing issues. All has been well since then, until yesterday morning. About 30 times since then, and every time the toilet is flushed (until it refills) there are sounds in the pipes in the ceiling like jack hammer work is being done on the unit upstairs.

The fellow who installed the new parts suggested that he install an air chamber, but it seems to me that it could have something to do with the new parts/install. Coincidence or not?

Thoughts/ideas?

THANKS

If your ballcock is the one on the right try this,
Shut the water off at the angle stop and remove the lid, Unscrew the three screws on top and pull the float ball and washer assembly up Now pry out the washer and turn it over, seating it in firmly. Place a pan over the open ballcock and turn the water back on for a few seconds to flush out the supply. Reassemble and give it a flush. If that don't get it click on back and we'll go to plan "B". Good luck, Tom

It used to be the type on the right, now it's the kind on the left ("float cup"?)

The water seems to refill in the tank with VERY little pressure. I confirmed that the water shut off valve is fully open.

Then shut the water off and twist off the top of the ballcock and flush the supply like I suggested. Good luck, Tom

Thanks for the suggestions - I have the guy (plumber) coming in tomorrow to check it out -- he is leaning towards installing an air chamber.

I guess these things can just spontaneously "happen"...

Hi Gatrnol

Geez, I just don't think water hammer "just happens" after 30 years... ;)

Here, as Tom suggested, I'm thinking your plumber should start by clearing the new fill valve of any sediments and see if that solves the issue.

If that fails to resolve the issue I would ask him to look at the washer at the toilet shutoff... may be loose and "chattering" which could cause noise similar to water hammer noises.

If that failed to fix this, I would ask the plumber to drain the water pipes and see if any old fashioned air chambers (just long pipes with caps behind the wall) may have filled with water and simply need to be recharged. Here, by draining the water pipes and allowing air to get into the system the air chambers can drain and then refill with air effectively recharging the pipes so that they can absorb water hammer.

If all that failed to reolve the issue then, and only then, would I install a new, modern air hammer arrestor, OK?

Good luck!

Mark

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Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Hi Gatrnol

Geez, I just don't think water hammer "just happens" after 30 years...;)

Here, as Tom suggested, I'm thinking your plumber should start by clearing the new fill valve of any sediments and see if that solves the issue.

If that fails to resolve the issue I would ask him to look at the washer at the toilet shutoff...may be loose and "chattering" which could cause noise similar to water hammer noises.

If that failed to fix this, I would ask the plumber to drain the water pipes and see if any old fashioned air chambers (just long pipes with caps behind the wall) may have filled with water and simply need to be recharged. Here, by draining the water pipes and allowing air to get into the system the air chambers can drain and then refill with air effectively recharging the pipes so that they can absorb water hammer.

If all that failed to reolve the issue then, and only then, would I install a new, modern air hammer arrestor, OK?

Good luck!

Mark

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Good logic -- thanks!