What is the modern thinking on the necessity of installing water hammer arresters or air cushions in new plumbing for a bathroom and/or kitchen? What is the method for placing them, 1 at each valve or one at the entrance (hot and cold) to cover the whole house? How are they installed as far as how high in the plumbing above the valves (I have seen them appear to be 1 or 2 feet above the faucet branch.

Thanks

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Originally Posted by nervous

What is the modern thinking on the necessity of installing water hammer arresters or air cushions in new plumbing for a bathroom and/or kitchen? What is the method fo placing them, 1 at each valve or one at the entrance (hot and cold) to cover the whole house? How are they installed as far as how high in the plumbing above the valves (I have seen them appear to be 1 or 2 feet above the faucet branch.

Thanks

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We have been installing air chambers for over 40 years. You may purchase manufactured air chambers but as a rule we built our own and installed them on all lavatories and kitchen sinks. Just before stubbing out hot and cold we would lay a 1/2" tee on its back and solder in a 12" piece of copper pipe topped off with a permanent cap. As for the "necessity" of installing air chambers our plumbing codes mandate it.

Thanks speedball. In order to help me visualize this let me see is I understand the simple construction of this. (I'll use a single, cold water line for a reference) 1) main riser comes up. 2) meets at a 'T' with the 'T' leg facing downward (connecting to the main riser) and the 'T' outlets now facing forward and rearward. 3) the front outlet feeds forward and out for the valve stub, and 4) the rear the gets a short 90* upward angle and then finally the 12" capped pipe creating the air chamber.

If this is not correct where does it go bad?

Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nervous

Thanks speedball. In order to help me visualize this let me see is I understand the simple construction of this. (I'll use a single, cold water line for a reference) 1) main riser comes up. 2) meets at a 'T' with the 'T' leg facing downward (connecting to the main riser) and the 'T' outlets now facing forward and rearward. 3) the front outlet feeds forward and out for the valve stub, and 4) the rear the gets a short 90* upward angle and then finally the 12" capped pipe creating the air chamber.

If this is not correct where does it go bad?

Thanks.

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NO! It goes sour at #2. Let me run it for you.

Main riser comes up and meets with a tee at one end. A 12" piece of 1/2" copper is soldered in the top of the tee at the other end and a permanent hard cap is soldered to that. The air chamber to be secured with backing. A piece of 1/2" copper is soldered in to the branch and brought outside the wall line for a stub out. Add a 1/2" X 1/4" compression angle stop and you're ready to run the supplies. You have just stubbed out complete with a air chamber. Regards, Tom

Thanks. It's completely clear now and I will put them in place. Two quickies. 1) would you place these on the shower lines as well (as I have seen them drawn this way)
2) how do these not fill with water?

Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nervous

Thanks. it's completely clear now and I will put them in place. two quickies. 1) would you place these on the shower lines as well (as I have seen them drawn this way)
2) how do these not fill with water?

Thanks.

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You can place them on any fixture you desire. Our code calls for them to be placed on lavatories and kitchen sinks.
After some years later you will began to hear water hammer. That means they have loaded up with condensate and must be drained and recharged. This is a job any homeowner can do. When that happens just click on back and we'll walk you through recharging your air chambers. Good luck on your remodel, Tom

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nervous

Thanks. It's completely clear now and I will put them in place. Two quickies. 1) would you place these on the shower lines as well (as I have seen them drawn this way)
2) how do these not fill with water?

Thanks.

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I would like to learn too how they don't fill with water instead of air. Interested.

Frankiedon.
This is the second time I've had to call you on answering dead threads this one is seven years old. Please look in the upper right-hand corner of the date before you post. Thanks, Tom